The Nokton 35mm f1.2 ASPH by Voigtländer is to my knowledge the fastest 35mm lens available for full frame cameras. Well, it’s Leica M mount, so it won’t really fit your average Canon or Nikon camera. But with the growing lot of mirror less cameras, there are a lot of possible uses for this lens via an adapter. This is of course the case for me, since I use the Fuji X-series cameras.
Version 1 of the lens was in production up until 2009-2010 whereafter it was replaced by the mkII version in 2011. The reasons for this are largely unknown, but Cosina-Voigtländer has stated that production was too costly due to its design. It has an aspherical element like most modern day lenses.
I found this lens in the classifieds attached to a Konica Hexar RF, and I got it for a bargain. My win really, since these version 1 is increasingly hard to find. The differences as far as I can read on various places on the internet is a tad less contrast wide open in version 1, and there is a minute size difference.
The lens is rather big for a manual focus lens, it weighs 490g (1.1lb) and it is 78mm (3.1″) long. This is nothing in the DSLR world, but in Rangefinder/mirrorless terms, it is rather big. However it doesn’t feel out of place on my X-Pro1.
I’ve used this lens extensively all weekend, and I put it through a lot of different shooting scenarios, and this thing is one hell of a performer! The 35mm turns into an 50mm FOV on my X-Pro1 APS-C size sensor, and this focal length is by far my favourite . I know this is not nearly enough hands-on time to do a thorough review, but look at this writeup more like a first impressions/ user report. But one thing is for sure. I’m VERY impressed with this lens. VERY!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
This lens will NOT work with your Fujifilm M-mount adapter! It protrudes into the space where Fuji placed the electronics in their adapter. I have 2 fuji adapters, so I took out the electronics in one of them, and then it fits. I’m told that the Fotodiox adapter works with this lens 🙂
Build
This is my second lens from Voigtländer. The first being the Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 S.C. which I reviewed here. Both of these lenses oozes quality build. The 35mm is built very solidly. All metal construction. Perfect click to the Aperture ring, and the focus ring is smooth, well damped and entirely issue free. The paint job is great, and the markings are etched. This is pure quality! My copy didn’t come with the original lens hood, so I use a typical vented hood with a 52mm thread. Works great.
Image Quality
This lens really surprised the hell out of me. I was expecting a lot of softness wide open, but what I got was sharpness that was even present at f/1.2! This is not the case with the Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4, so the size/design of the 35mm is definitely MUCH better in this regard. The contrast is ok, but not great. The colour files directly from RAW can look a bit flat and lacks a little bit of the micro contrast that you see in newer lenses (especially Fujifilms own XF 35mm f/1.4 lens) as well as the Leica lenses. This is actually pretty great for b&w shooters, since it seems to preserve shadow detail better.
Sharpness is good at f/1.2 and gets REALLY sharp by f/2.8. Maximum sharpness is around f/5.6-8
It has some chromatic aberration wide open, but it goes away by f/1.8. Nothing major at all.
Object isolation with this lens is so cool. On my X-Pro1 is acts like a 50mm f/1.8 lens in full frame FOV and DOF eq. but with the light gathering capability of f/1.2. You can actually get that “full frame” thin DOF look with this lens. Just look at the samples with the Zeiss Ikon in the grass, and my daughter holding out some flowers and rocks. They were taken at approx. 2m distance from the focus point.
Bokeh is just how I like it. Not überly smooth. And it has some bright outlines to the specular highlights. It also has a little bit of a “swirly bokeh effect”. Not as pronounced as the Helios 44m4 58mm though. I love that bokeh has some characteristics, since I find it a beautiful part of the image. It should not attract all the attention but it should be visible and noticed. The bokeh from this lens does just that. I simply love it!
Samples
As always my samples have been processed in various ways. Lately I’ve been very fond of VSCO Film pack 04 which contains all the old Fujifilms (astia, provia, fortia, velvia). I can now shoot RAW, and get the Fujifilm look anyway. I urge you to check out vsco.co
The images are all taken with my X-Pro1 using the “de-electrified” fujifilm M-mount adapter. I used VSCO 04 for colour as well as my own presets for black and white.
Conclusion
This lens is FANTASTIC. The bokeh quality is full of character, the lens is sharp wide open, and it’s built like a tank. Voigtlander really made a great lens with the Nokton 35mm f/1.2 and its a perfect companion for your mirrorless Fujifilm camera
Lovely shots from what looks to be a gorgeous lens! I had the Voigtlander 50/1.1 a while back and was just never happy with the color and focus (I only was shooting film with it), so wound up selling it. I may have to take another look at Voigtlander after your recent reviews. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading Chris 🙂
Never did try out the 50 1.1 … hope I get the chance one day 😉
/J
Given that this essentially becomes 50mm for the fuji, would you consider the xf 56mm instead?
Well the 56 becomes a 84 mm on the Fuji, SO they’re not the same. I have the 56, and I LOVE that lens!!
/J
Ah yes, what was I thinking. I also forgot to say that the pics are stunning. Thanks for the review. I’ll have to think hard before deciding whether I should get this or stick with the native 35 since my photography skills are quite limited 🙂
Another interesting review. I’ve bought a few old Minoltas based in part on your reviews and very pleased I am with them.
Now you review expensive lenses!? Damn you!!! 😉
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Hi! I was wondering if you had any thoughts between the fuji 35 1.4 and this lens. I’m interested in the 1.2, but are there any differences in image quality that would justify the price jump? Thanks!
Hi Hans.
Image quality wise the XF35mm f/1.4 is the better option. It’s also smaller, and you gain AF. The XF35 is one of those special lenses from Fujifilm, that is REALLY good.
The Nokton is more of a niche lens if you ask me. But it gives great results 🙂
/Jonas
Any thoughts regarding the Voigtlander 35 vII vs. Fuji’s own XF35/1.4? I’ve got the XF16/1.4 on one X-T1 and the XF50-140/2.8 on the other, but that ‘magic’ 50 prime equivalent ‘hole’ has yet to be filled… Between Fuji’s M adapter and the Voigthlander, it’s a big jump, price-wise. Especially since Fuji’s dropped the price of the XF35 on B&H with a rebate. Thanks! Not only a great article, but excellent photography as well… hard to find both in this day and age 🙂
Best wishes!
Clint
Oops. Missed the above comments. hehe… never mind.
Hehehe. No problem at all 😀 /J
Hey!
How does the x pros ovf looks like when mounted with this lens?
Hello Jonas,
I would like to thank you for this review. I thought long and hard on purchasing this lens (or rather the version 2) and your review put a more real life perspective on the lens. Sure there are tons of tech spec review out there but yours was more down to earth. I have my CV 35 1.2 v2 on my X pro 1 and am quite happy with the initial results. I am very eager to see what photographic adventures are out there… though i have to admit (i knew from reviews it would be heavy) but DAAAMMN the lens is heavy solid. No complaints, don’t get me wrong.. just really surprized!
more power to you and looking forward to more of your reviews
Arny
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Hello Jonas, thank you for your hard work. I find your website wonderfully beautiful and informative.
One question for you Jonas, how did you know this lens, or any Voigtlander lens, was mountable with your Fuji camera? The official Fujifilm Compatibility Chart hasn’t been updated since 2012:
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/accessories/lens/mount/fujifilm_m_mount_adapter/compatibility_chart/
Hello, can this lens combined with lensturbo? as an example using basic adapter from lens to canon mount, and attach lensturbo from canon to fujix mount.
Got version 1 some 6 months back for a reasonable price. First I thought it was a bit soft and that I would sell it again. My lens-doctor reckoned it distorts, but them technical people often come up with esoterical claims about microbic hints of a lack of something…
I started to use it a bit more recently. Now I think its fantastic with a unique rendering. Someone called it a “signature lens”. It is sharp, yes. But not in a pixel sharp, clinical way like most modern lenses. It rather shines and seems sharp through brilliance.
I agree, it is not very contrasty, which is great for photographing dark skin in daylight.
Best to check out loads of sample photos before buying it.
Mine is obviously no longer for sale..
Hi Jonas, I saw this lens was on the list of lenses that don’t work with the Fuji M mount adapter. Have you encountered any problems? I have a Voigtlander NOKTON classic 35mm F1.4 which I bought to use with my old Leica CL and X-Pro 2 (when I purchase one) and was disappointed when I saw it as incompatible on this list.
Hi Jonas!
Thank you for this very informative review!
I’ve not yet chosen between the Nokton f1.4. And your lense (Nokton 1.2), to match my epson r-d1.
But I’m worryed about the viewfinder blockage with such a big lense.
Currently I have a Nokton 40mm, I don’t see it through the viewfinder and it’s perfect for composing image.
Does it obstruct your viewfinder in the x-pro1? Have you seen it through a Leica or Bessa viewfinder?
It’s the only thing wich keep me to buy it 🙂
Thanks in advance!
Hi,
I’m really thankful for this post, I am going to buy the Voigtlander 35mm F1.2 but Fujifilm’s official website mentioned that Fujifilm M mount adapter cant’t fit this lens and I totally have no idea what adapter I can use for this lens and my XT1.
Wondering if it worth to update the 40 1.4 for the version II of this one. What are your thought?
Hi Jonas! I was wondering – what do I loose when I remove the electronics from the Fuji adapter? EXIF? Is is much different then from the other adapters? I have a Fuji adapter coming and a Nokton 35mm f/1.2 in my hands. Thinking now what to do….
Also – any way to put them back in, or is the damage permanent?