Used Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 Nokton Aspherical Lens, Type II, Manual Focus for Micro 4/3 Mount

2020-07-10T17:04:16

This lens will keep me using micro four thirds. This is the kind of thing the MFT mount needs (needed?) more of. The lens is about the same diameter as a manual nifty-fifty on an old film camera. So, maybe it's large for MFT, but it would be modest or small compared to most full frame lenses. And, paired with the Olympus EM-5 ii, a camera that costs less than this lens now, I am finally getting photos on a digital camera that match what I can do on 135 film cameras. The key here is to realize that this lens on MFT opened up to f/0.95 will give you the same images you get on a full frame camera (or 35mm film) on a 50mm f/1.7 (really a little wider, maybe like 45mm). Depth of field: People who say that f/0.95 is "razor thin" depth of field on this system don't know what they're talking about. Micro four thirds, with a 2x crop, has the same frame and depth of field on a 25mm f/0.95 as a full frame camera with a 50 mm f/1.7. So, this gives you the images of a classic nifty fifty. And the photos look exactly like what I get on my full frame film camera with a very nice 50 mm f/1.7. And, with the exposure advantages of being at f/0.95, that means you can keep your ISO low, and avoid the other problem of MFT cameras: the bad noise at high ISO values. You may say, wait, why don't I just get a full frame camera with a modest 50mm lens? Sure, you should do that! But, for me, I already have a micro four thirds camera and I'm already invested (stuck?) on micro four thirds, so this lens is my way of getting that full frame camera look and film camera experience, with real quality output, on my MFT camera. Oh, and it's super heavy, feels very refined and well-made with satisfying aperture clicks that make me want to just sit back and click that aperture ring and zone out and drool. And, if you know how to focus with magnification and peaking, then the part of the frame that you concentrated on getting in focus well will be sharp and detailed; just make sure that subject isn't in one of the far corners (tho I'm not sure why anyone would do that). Yes, sharp even at f/0.95. If your subject has high contrast areas with a blown out region alongside a darker region, the edge can very easily have some purple or green fringing at f/0.95; it clears up above f/2. And, bonus: the distance markings on the focusing ring are actually CORRECT and ACCURATE!!!! Thank you! I get so angry at those cheap manual lens companies (meike, laowa, 7artisans, etc) who put useless totally incorrect distance markings on the focus ring, as if it's just decoration like fake dials on a five dollar watch. This Voigtlander has real and functional distance / scale focusing marks! Infinity is right at the infinity mark! The hard stop is very slightly past infinity, but the mark itself is accurate. My only complaint is that it's too long. I know, good optics means larger lens size. But, if this were half its length I'd be happy as a clam to use nothing else.

JEFFREY W.

2013-03-14T21:00:00

Depth of field like I've never seen, stunning! Well made, maybe a little on the heavy side but at least I don't have to worry about durability, this is a solid lens. Can't go wrong with this lens!

CHRISTOPHER C.

2012-04-22T21:00:00

Obviously not as sharp as my Panasonic 20 1.7, but using its softness for a particular look was the plan anyway. Shooting RAW with this lens allows you to get shots you never would have. .95 is a TON of light! The focus ring was pretty stiff, awesomely smooth, but stiff at the beginning. I was hoping it would loosen up and it has.

Ken

2012-02-05T19:00:00

Very well made lens with lovely narrow depth of feild option for MFT format camera.

buzz

2011-11-20T19:00:00

I bought this to use on my panasonic Lumix G2. The lens offers great low light opportunities and sharp macros. It is manual focus and it takes a while to zero in on the sharpest focus. Don't use it where speed of action requires constant refocusing. It is worth the money although I paid a premium price due to the lack of supply.

DAVID H.

2011-11-13T19:00:00

Got this lens to replace my nikkor 24mm and I love it. Used it extensively with a fader nd for ext shots. A little too soft for certain wide shots around 1.1-1.4, but great, nonetheless!

Rock P.

2011-10-09T21:00:00

When I needed a fast closeup lens for my micro 4/3 Panasonic Lumix, GH-2, a friend told me about the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.9 Nokton manual focus lens. The specs were appealing except for the Manual Focus. I am very happy with this lens now, for (1) it has made me go back to my manual focus skill, which I had almost lost, depending on my DSLR Canon 5D MkII autofocus. (2) the Bokeh is amazingly smooth, almost not there with the f/0.95 aperture. Used with my slipshot tripod, my Panasonic Lumix GH-2 fitted with the Nokton, has opened up a new world of photography for me. Low light, tack sharp, photos, looking like studio shots.

King G.