Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1 Aspherical
Voigtlander · 50 mm · f/1 · NOKTON
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
58
SCORE /100
What We Like
+Exceptional sharpness at f/1.0 wide-open for an ultra-fast lens, with significant improvements over the Leica Noctilux f/0.95 especially at close distances
+Grinding aspherical (GA) front element with high-refractive glass enables compact size (55mm) and outstanding optical performance
+Smooth, well-built all-metal construction with tactile aperture and focus rings; excellent mechanical quality with no flex
+Beautiful bokeh rendered through 12 aperture blades and floating elements; organic, ethereal image rendering
+Low-light capability with f/1.0 maximum aperture; outstanding performance for shallow depth of field and night photography
Worth Knowing
−Heavy at 482-484g; substantial lens requiring sturdy support when hand-held
−Pronounced outward field curvature and high optical vignetting causing uneven background rendering depending on subject distance
−Slight focus shift noticeable when stopping down from f/1.4 to f/2.0, requiring caution when relying on rangefinder focusing
−No autofocus or image stabilization; manual focus only limits usability for some photographers and shooting scenarios
General | |
|---|---|
About This LensThe Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.0 Aspherical is a well-made, compact manual-focus lens offering exceptional wide-open performance at f/1.0, with beautiful renderings that sharpen significantly when stopped down. The lens delivers a close-to-perfect blend of sharpness, 3D pop, micro-contrast and optical performance, standing as one of the sharpest 50mm f/1 lenses ever produced. It delivers and over-delivers given its price-point against its direct competitor, the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95. | |
| Brand | Voigtlander |
| Release Year | 2024 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |  In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. | NOKTON |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Sony E |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. | Sony E |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |  Full Frame |
Physical93/100 | |
| Lens Weight | 484 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point | 79.3 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. | 69.3 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |  Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. | 62 mm |
Optics77/100 | |
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) | 50 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) | 1 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 48° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. | 18 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |  Manual |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture | 12020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups | No |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. | 45 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced | 0.14x |
| Autofocus Mode | No |
| Manual Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes |
Features | |
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. | No |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. | No |
| Built In Lens Hood | No |
| Lens Hood Type |  Round |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification | No |
| Image Stabilization | No |
Construction15/100 | |
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. | 9 |
| Groups | 7 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. | 1 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration | 0 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. | No |