CameraReview
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.2 Aspherical II VM
UNSCORED
Voigtlander · 50 mm · f/1.2 · Leica M mount · Full Frame

Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.2 Aspherical II VM

From $1,149 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandVoigtlander
Announcement dateFeb 2025
Released2025
Production started2025
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptional sharpness even at wide-open f/1.2 aperture
+Smooth, creamy bokeh from 12-blade diaphragm and aspherical design
+Compact and lightweight for an ultra-fast prime lens
+Outstanding build quality with precise metal construction
+Excellent flare resistance and minimal chromatic aberration
+Strong performance across full aperture range, peaks at f/5.6
Worth Knowing
Significant vignetting at wide-open aperture (3.3 EV) requires stopping down for even exposure
Focus shift present when stopping down—best results when focusing at working aperture
Some spherical aberration wide open creates slight glow and reduced contrast
Can block part of rangefinder viewfinder at minimum focus distance on some cameras

General

Brand
Voigtlander
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Feb 2025
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2025
Production started
2025
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Voigtländer 50 mm F1.2 Nokton II VM combines the tradition of fast standard lenses with state-of-the-art optical technology, with two double-sided aspherical lens elements ensuring exceptional image quality—even at open aperture—and enabling a soft, expressive bokeh. Overall, the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm 1.2 Aspherical VM is a really high performance lens especially in the centre, but at F5.6 is exceptionally good across the frame, all the way into the extreme corner. With a weight of just 322 g, it remains pleasantly light and balanced.

Optical

Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Elements
8 elements in 6 groups
Aspherical Elements
2 double-sided aspherical elements (4 aspherical surfaces)

Aperture

Diaphragm Type
Straight blades

Performance

Center Sharpness
Excellent
Corner Sharpness
Soft wide open, improves when stopped down
Bokeh
Smooth, creamy texture
Vignetting
Strong at f/1.2 (~3.3 EV), improves when stopped down
Distortion
Minimal pincushion distortion in corners
Chromatic Aberration
Minimal to none
Flare Resistance
Excellent

Optics

Min focal length
50 mm
Max focal length
50 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
50 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
1.2
Max aperture zoom
1.2
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
70 cm01500
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
12020

Physical

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.
Leica M
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
52 mm
Lens weight
322 g
Maximum format
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Full Frame