Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens For Sony E-Mount
NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical full frame Sony E-mount lens with ultra fast F1.2 aperture. The NOKTON designation is only given to high-speed lenses in the Voigtl nder lineup with a maximum aperture of F1.5 or faster. When the first NOKTON was released in the 1950s, it was positioned as a lens that enabled images to be captured even in low light. However, with constantly improving imaging sensor sensitivity, the advantage of a high-speed lens nowadays is the ability to use as a means of photographic expression the out-offocus bokeh created by opening the aperture. The NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical is a high-speed manual focus lens optimized for the imaging sensors of Sony mirrorless cameras. While retaining a compact size, this lens realizes a world first* as a full frame 40mm lens with a large F1.2 aperture. The optical formula features two elements each with two aspherical surfaces, so you can enjoy reliable optical performance and gentle very out-of-focus bokeh at maximum aperture. When used on a camera with an APS-C sensor, the 40mm focal length is equivalent to 60mm, enabling the lens to be used as a standard lens on both full frame and APS-C cameras. The aperture ring has click stops in 1/3 steps. The lens also features a click stop switching mechanism that enables the click stops to be turned off when shooting video.
NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical full frame Sony E-mount lens with ultra fast F1.2 aperture. The NOKTON designation is only given to high-speed lenses in the Voigtl nder lineup with a maximum aperture of F1.5 or faster. When the first NOKTON was released in the 1950s, it was positioned as a lens that enabled images to be captured even in low light. However, with constantly improving imaging sensor sensitivity, the advantage of a high-speed lens nowadays is the ability to use as a means of photographic expression the out-offocus bokeh created by opening the aperture. The NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical is a high-speed manual focus lens optimized for the imaging sensors of Sony mirrorless cameras. While retaining a compact size, this lens realizes a world first* as a full frame 40mm lens with a large F1.2 aperture. The optical formula features two elements each with two aspherical surfaces, so you can enjoy reliable optical performance and gentle very out-of-focus bokeh at maximum aperture. When used on a camera with an APS-C sensor, the 40mm focal length is equivalent to 60mm, enabling the lens to be used as a standard lens on both full frame and APS-C cameras. The aperture ring has click stops in 1/3 steps. The lens also features a click stop switching mechanism that enables the click stops to be turned off when shooting video.
NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical full frame Sony E-mount lens with ultra fast F1.2 aperture. The NOKTON designation is only given to high-speed lenses in the Voigtl nder lineup with a maximum aperture of F1.5 or faster. When the first NOKTON was released in the 1950s, it was positioned as a lens that enabled images to be captured even in low light. However, with constantly improving imaging sensor sensitivity, the advantage of a high-speed lens nowadays is the ability to use as a means of photographic expression the out-offocus bokeh created by opening the aperture. The NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical is a high-speed manual focus lens optimized for the imaging sensors of Sony mirrorless cameras. While retaining a compact size, this lens realizes a world first* as a full frame 40mm lens with a large F1.2 aperture. The optical formula features two elements each with two aspherical surfaces, so you can enjoy reliable optical performance and gentle very out-of-focus bokeh at maximum aperture. When used on a camera with an APS-C sensor, the 40mm focal length is equivalent to 60mm, enabling the lens to be used as a standard lens on both full frame and APS-C cameras. The aperture ring has click stops in 1/3 steps. The lens also features a click stop switching mechanism that enables the click stops to be turned off when shooting video.
NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical full frame Sony E-mount lens with ultra fast F1.2 aperture. The NOKTON designation is only given to high-speed lenses in the Voigtl nder lineup with a maximum aperture of F1.5 or faster. When the first NOKTON was released in the 1950s, it was positioned as a lens that enabled images to be captured even in low light. However, with constantly improving imaging sensor sensitivity, the advantage of a high-speed lens nowadays is the ability to use as a means of photographic expression the out-offocus bokeh created by opening the aperture. The NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical is a high-speed manual focus lens optimized for the imaging sensors of Sony mirrorless cameras. While retaining a compact size, this lens realizes a world first* as a full frame 40mm lens with a large F1.2 aperture. The optical formula features two elements each with two aspherical surfaces, so you can enjoy reliable optical performance and gentle very out-of-focus bokeh at maximum aperture. When used on a camera with an APS-C sensor, the 40mm focal length is equivalent to 60mm, enabling the lens to be used as a standard lens on both full frame and APS-C cameras. The aperture ring has click stops in 1/3 steps. The lens also features a click stop switching mechanism that enables the click stops to be turned off when shooting video.
in 9 offers
The lowest price for Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens For Sony E-Mount right now is $936.70 at eBay.com.au, compared across 5 retailers.
The all-time low was $930.66 on 28 Feb 2026 — today's price is 1% above the lowest ever. This is at or near its all-time low — a good time to buy.
Prices last updated 8 Sept 2026.
Last updated at 08/09/2026 22:48:07
Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F/1.2- Sony E-mount Lens
Delivery $17
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Voigtlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical Sony E Mount Lens From Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical Sony E-mount From Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical Sony E-mount From Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Voightlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical E-mount 233058
Delivery $85.76
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Voigtländer f. Sony E Nokton 1.2/40mm Asph.
Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 Nokton Aspherical Lens for Sony E-Mount by Onestop Digital
Free delivery between 15–21 Sept
Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 SE - Sony E Mount
Delivery $9.90
Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 - Sony E Mount
Delivery between 14–22 Sept $15
originally posted on adorama.com
I was a bit hesitant to spend this much on a manual lens but after using this one for a few weeks I'm so glad I saved up for it! The electronic connection which enables my camera's manual focus assist is a huge benefit for getting focus quickly and accurately. I love the colors and the distinctive "swirly" bokeh that it delivers. I mainly shoot wildlife with my big 200-600mm lens but this lens has me spending more time with different subjects. Very happy to have this lens in my kit!
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
I will start off with this, I am partial to manual lenses. Something about a manual lens takes me back to the first camera I used, my grandpas old Nikon 35mm SLR. I used it for all my film classes in college and still have it to this day!This lens is great there is something about a manual lens that let's you feel so much more in control than an auto focus lens. This lens is great and is always on my camera! I have others that I use for specific reasons, BUT, as an everyday walk around lens THIS IS IT. It's always the lens that I have to take off my camera body to use another and once I'm done it goes right back on.I use it on my Sony a7ii and it's a perfect match. It sharp, colors are amazing, not very big, and adds a nice classic look to a modern camera. If I ... MoreI will start off with this, I am partial to manual lenses. Something about a manual lens takes me back to the first camera I used, my grandpas old Nikon 35mm SLR. I used it for all my film classes in college and still have it to this day!This lens is great there is something about a manual lens that let's you feel so much more in control than an auto focus lens. This lens is great and is always on my camera! I have others that I use for specific reasons, BUT, as an everyday walk around lens THIS IS IT. It's always the lens that I have to take off my camera body to use another and once I'm done it goes right back on.I use it on my Sony a7ii and it's a perfect match. It sharp, colors are amazing, not very big, and adds a nice classic look to a modern camera. If I had to for whatever reason could only keep one of my lenses this would be the one that I keep. PLUS f1.2 makes it a great low light lens for those late night outings. I believe this lens is worth every penny, and it basically got all of my pennies haha.Focusing is made very easy on the Sony cameras and it's built like a tank. I'm pretty sure this lens will out last all other camera bodies to follow. If you are looking for a great manual lens that takes sharp pictures, has great color rendition, and great contrast, combined with a classic look that's not to big or heavy on the Sony mirrorless system, then look no further!
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
I only make feature documentary films. So for films, please ignore the reviews calling this a 'soft' lens. At least for me, they misunderstand how best to use this lens. Its strengths are spectacular. This is an absolutely stunningly beautiful cinematic lens. I'm absolutely blown away with the color, the natural roll-off, and I love the 40mm unique field of view. It's my favorite lens. In the end, this lens has a roll-off that you will love. (Please see my attached screenshot from a video taken wide open f/1.2. I'm using this lens on my full-frame Sony a7siii (which has a great auto-focus feature). Yes, this lens is manual but I've focused on manual my whole career. The personality of this lens is different from some of my other lenses that do have autofocus like my ... MoreI only make feature documentary films. So for films, please ignore the reviews calling this a 'soft' lens. At least for me, they misunderstand how best to use this lens. Its strengths are spectacular. This is an absolutely stunningly beautiful cinematic lens. I'm absolutely blown away with the color, the natural roll-off, and I love the 40mm unique field of view. It's my favorite lens. In the end, this lens has a roll-off that you will love. (Please see my attached screenshot from a video taken wide open f/1.2. I'm using this lens on my full-frame Sony a7siii (which has a great auto-focus feature). Yes, this lens is manual but I've focused on manual my whole career. The personality of this lens is different from some of my other lenses that do have autofocus like my Sony G Master series lenses (FE 85 1.4, FE 135 1.8, and FE 24 F1.8). It does something pretty special to the skin of the subject when filming wide open in f/1.2 (which is the only way I film with this lens). It is difficult to describe, but if you want an amazing lens where your subject just looks good...this is the lens. It is very simple to focus on. It has a solid construction. Those who do fashion films or any films in drama or documentary will love this lens. If you want some clinical, boring, and ultra-sharp, then grab some other lens. If you want art...this lens allows you to do something special :) I look for any excuse to keep it on the camera. I can sit 6' from my subject and get a whole body shot and the background is nicely blurred out into nothing.
Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F/1.2- Sony E-mount Lens
Delivery $17
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Voigtlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical Sony E Mount Lens From Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical Sony E-mount From Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical Sony E-mount From Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Voightlander Nokton 40mm F1.2 Aspherical E-mount 233058
Delivery $85.76
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
I was a bit hesitant to spend this much on a manual lens but after using this one for a few weeks I'm so glad I saved up for it! The electronic connection which enables my camera's manual focus assist is a huge benefit for getting focus quickly and accurately. I love the colors and the distinctive "swirly" bokeh that it delivers. I mainly shoot wildlife with my big 200-600mm lens but this lens has me spending more time with different subjects. Very happy to have this lens in my kit!
I will start off with this, I am partial to manual lenses. Something about a manual lens takes me back to the first camera I used, my grandpas old Nikon 35mm SLR. I used it for all my film classes in college and still have it to this day!This lens is great there is something about a manual lens that let's you feel so much more in control than an auto focus lens. This lens is great and is always on my camera! I have others that I use for specific reasons, BUT, as an everyday walk around lens THIS IS IT. It's always the lens that I have to take off my camera body to use another and once I'm done it goes right back on.I use it on my Sony a7ii and it's a perfect match. It sharp, colors are amazing, not very big, and adds a nice classic look to a modern camera. If I ... MoreI will start off with this, I am partial to manual lenses. Something about a manual lens takes me back to the first camera I used, my grandpas old Nikon 35mm SLR. I used it for all my film classes in college and still have it to this day!This lens is great there is something about a manual lens that let's you feel so much more in control than an auto focus lens. This lens is great and is always on my camera! I have others that I use for specific reasons, BUT, as an everyday walk around lens THIS IS IT. It's always the lens that I have to take off my camera body to use another and once I'm done it goes right back on.I use it on my Sony a7ii and it's a perfect match. It sharp, colors are amazing, not very big, and adds a nice classic look to a modern camera. If I had to for whatever reason could only keep one of my lenses this would be the one that I keep. PLUS f1.2 makes it a great low light lens for those late night outings. I believe this lens is worth every penny, and it basically got all of my pennies haha.Focusing is made very easy on the Sony cameras and it's built like a tank. I'm pretty sure this lens will out last all other camera bodies to follow. If you are looking for a great manual lens that takes sharp pictures, has great color rendition, and great contrast, combined with a classic look that's not to big or heavy on the Sony mirrorless system, then look no further!
I only make feature documentary films. So for films, please ignore the reviews calling this a 'soft' lens. At least for me, they misunderstand how best to use this lens. Its strengths are spectacular. This is an absolutely stunningly beautiful cinematic lens. I'm absolutely blown away with the color, the natural roll-off, and I love the 40mm unique field of view. It's my favorite lens. In the end, this lens has a roll-off that you will love. (Please see my attached screenshot from a video taken wide open f/1.2. I'm using this lens on my full-frame Sony a7siii (which has a great auto-focus feature). Yes, this lens is manual but I've focused on manual my whole career. The personality of this lens is different from some of my other lenses that do have autofocus like my ... MoreI only make feature documentary films. So for films, please ignore the reviews calling this a 'soft' lens. At least for me, they misunderstand how best to use this lens. Its strengths are spectacular. This is an absolutely stunningly beautiful cinematic lens. I'm absolutely blown away with the color, the natural roll-off, and I love the 40mm unique field of view. It's my favorite lens. In the end, this lens has a roll-off that you will love. (Please see my attached screenshot from a video taken wide open f/1.2. I'm using this lens on my full-frame Sony a7siii (which has a great auto-focus feature). Yes, this lens is manual but I've focused on manual my whole career. The personality of this lens is different from some of my other lenses that do have autofocus like my Sony G Master series lenses (FE 85 1.4, FE 135 1.8, and FE 24 F1.8). It does something pretty special to the skin of the subject when filming wide open in f/1.2 (which is the only way I film with this lens). It is difficult to describe, but if you want an amazing lens where your subject just looks good...this is the lens. It is very simple to focus on. It has a solid construction. Those who do fashion films or any films in drama or documentary will love this lens. If you want some clinical, boring, and ultra-sharp, then grab some other lens. If you want art...this lens allows you to do something special :) I look for any excuse to keep it on the camera. I can sit 6' from my subject and get a whole body shot and the background is nicely blurred out into nothing.
I bought Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 last week for my A7sii. I shot with many manual glasses on Nikon in the past and I was shocked with it’s performance (I have used Nikkor Noct 58mm f1/2 in the past and currently have Nikkor 50mm 1.2). The sharpness at f/1.2 in unbelievably good and the lens gets lot of light (in a low lit room, 3ft distance, open aperture can get you handheld shot at 1/20s using ISO 100). The look on the lens is very beautiful and I kind of like the aperture ring towards the front of the glass. When it comes to optical performance, this lens has no contenders.However, I had few disappointments which I might get used to very soon. The lens is built like a tank, with all metal construction makes it a heavy package. I am used to very smooth (but steady) ... MoreI bought Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 last week for my A7sii. I shot with many manual glasses on Nikon in the past and I was shocked with it’s performance (I have used Nikkor Noct 58mm f1/2 in the past and currently have Nikkor 50mm 1.2). The sharpness at f/1.2 in unbelievably good and the lens gets lot of light (in a low lit room, 3ft distance, open aperture can get you handheld shot at 1/20s using ISO 100). The look on the lens is very beautiful and I kind of like the aperture ring towards the front of the glass. When it comes to optical performance, this lens has no contenders.However, I had few disappointments which I might get used to very soon. The lens is built like a tank, with all metal construction makes it a heavy package. I am used to very smooth (but steady) manual focus ring which I can turn with a finger, which I often do while adjusting the fine focus. The focus ring on this lens in no means stiff, but not meant for single handed use (you can’t turn the ring with one finger). Also, I see that the rotation the ring needs to move from close to infinity is too long and thus it will slow you down (although it’s very good for precision focusing). Although I liked the placement of aperture ring in the front, it is a big inconvenience if you are using the lens for videography and often you change the aperture. Despite the above points this lens is a keeper for me.
I have a Sony A7R3, and I purchased the e-mount Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 lens from B&H and I must say I LOVE the pics this lens takes. The colors are rich, deep and sharp. I have an autofocus lens which is also very good, yet I use this manual lens more often yet it is better in color saturation and separation of background, which is amazing! I still was able to get a clear shot of a dog that could not stand still with this manual lens along with IBS. But to put it simply I use this lens mainly for everything, I would only use an autofocus lens unless it's a fast moving object. You would think I might not be using the full capabilities of my A7R3 combined with a GM or G lens or other third party lens, but I'm very happy with this Voigtlander lens and it's size, and it's ... MoreI have a Sony A7R3, and I purchased the e-mount Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 lens from B&H and I must say I LOVE the pics this lens takes. The colors are rich, deep and sharp. I have an autofocus lens which is also very good, yet I use this manual lens more often yet it is better in color saturation and separation of background, which is amazing! I still was able to get a clear shot of a dog that could not stand still with this manual lens along with IBS. But to put it simply I use this lens mainly for everything, I would only use an autofocus lens unless it's a fast moving object. You would think I might not be using the full capabilities of my A7R3 combined with a GM or G lens or other third party lens, but I'm very happy with this Voigtlander lens and it's size, and it's smoothness when focusing. Very well engineered! There is a certain uniqueness to this lens and it's pictures :-)
Go to Fredmiranda.com's Sony forum if you want to read hundreds of reviews of this lens and scores of incredible pics. I think most people found out about this lens from there. I certainly did.The glowing reviews and hyperbole were spot on. This is an extraordinary lens, and I've used most everything Canon has put out over the years, as well as medium and large format equipment. Bottom line, 40mm is a perfect general focal - slightly wider than 50, which can be constraining, and just a hair longer than classic 35. So at 1.2, you're getting incredibly thin depth of field, but still a lot of environment for portraits. It's a tiny lens, but the glass is weighty for its size. More solid feeling than anything by Canon, with a smooth focus ring that is, unlike ... MoreGo to Fredmiranda.com's Sony forum if you want to read hundreds of reviews of this lens and scores of incredible pics. I think most people found out about this lens from there. I certainly did.The glowing reviews and hyperbole were spot on. This is an extraordinary lens, and I've used most everything Canon has put out over the years, as well as medium and large format equipment. Bottom line, 40mm is a perfect general focal - slightly wider than 50, which can be constraining, and just a hair longer than classic 35. So at 1.2, you're getting incredibly thin depth of field, but still a lot of environment for portraits. It's a tiny lens, but the glass is weighty for its size. More solid feeling than anything by Canon, with a smooth focus ring that is, unlike horrid modern focus-by-wire systems, mechanically linked, which inspires confidence. Yes the A7R3 has incredible autofocus, but when you're shooting in no light, or have an superthin plane, you want to be spot on, and AF is never going to always be spot on. Take an extra second rather than just machine-gunning - it's autolinks to the camera's 6 or 10x magnifier, so you can focus better than anything at 1x from the olden days. Drop this to F4 or F5.6, and you've got extraordinary resolution across the field for landscapes. Use at F2 or F2.8 for general portraits, or wide open if you want the most pop and drama (or you're shooting in the dark!) This stays on my camera 95% of the time, unless I really need a wide zoom or a telephoto for distance. And even then, I find myself really missing the focus and manual aperture controls - just so much faster to use in practice.There's no point in comparing this to the loxia series - it's a different beast for a different purpose. Loxia is slightly sharper across the plane, so if you only ever do landscape, go for that. But this lens is so much more versatile, and I've never found F1.2-F2 to be less than stellar. Tests have shown that if you shoot F1.2 at less than 2ft distance (basically macro work) you can improve sharpness with a closeup lens like the Leica Elpro4. I own one, and use it sparringly, but to be honest, I don't think it's worth the $100-$150 extra for those rare instances. Just stop down to F2 and it's the same, your DOF at those distances will still be razor-thin. Kudos to Voigtlander for making such an interesting lens - we already have so much fast, sharp, flavorless plastic out there, and this is really a throwback - in the best way - to something old timers might remember from shooting a Hasselblad or a Rolleiflex, except at 1/5 the weight!
I had this lens for about 8 months before finally deciding to sell it, however while I had it for that time, it was the lens that was almost always on my camera.Like many of you looking at this focal length for Sony E-mounts, you're probably considering the Batis 40 or maybe even a 35 or 50. I enjoyed the focal length of this lens quite a bit and if I ever decide to replace it, I would likely go with the Batis 40 over anything else. What's also likely drawing you to this lens compared to the Batis is the over 1 stop difference you'd be getting with the Voigtlander. In fact, that f/1.2 was too good to turn down for me, however this is where the lens was a disappointment in my opinion. If you are shooting a subject further away, let's say 15 feet or more, it was ... MoreI had this lens for about 8 months before finally deciding to sell it, however while I had it for that time, it was the lens that was almost always on my camera.Like many of you looking at this focal length for Sony E-mounts, you're probably considering the Batis 40 or maybe even a 35 or 50. I enjoyed the focal length of this lens quite a bit and if I ever decide to replace it, I would likely go with the Batis 40 over anything else. What's also likely drawing you to this lens compared to the Batis is the over 1 stop difference you'd be getting with the Voigtlander. In fact, that f/1.2 was too good to turn down for me, however this is where the lens was a disappointment in my opinion. If you are shooting a subject further away, let's say 15 feet or more, it was pretty sharp wide open and chromatic aberration wasn't a problem. However, as soon as I pushed this lens to it's minimum focus distance, it was quite awful. At f/1.2 shooting a still subject (for me this would be a watch, a glass of beer, a product's logo, flowers, etc...) it was unusable. Focus was so soft, there was ghosting, and horrible, horrible chromatic aberration at close distance. I would always get green fringing or purple fringing, there was no happy medium with the focus ring. The f/1.2 aperture wasn't an option with shots like this, even with a tripod. That meant that I had to shoot these images stopped down; f/1.4 wasn't much better, f/1.6 showed improvement, and f/1.7 was usually where I kept this lens' aperture at. At f/2 these shots were great and to be honest, the bokeh wasn't significantly different from the lower apertures. (On a side note, overall rendering of the bokeh was something that I really loved from this lens). Even when challenging this lens, I was still able to get good shots at f/1.7, which would trump the Batis by 1/3 of a stop, however I was drawn to this lens to shoot wide open, not to be forced to stop down up close.I was also sold on (and very much appreciated) the Voigtlander's manual focus (especially comparing it to the Batis). Without sounding overly romantic, I think it brought me closer with my subject and the pride of nailing a shot with this lens made me intrinsically happier than just letting the auto focus take over. While that was a blessing shooting stills or a posed shot, it was a curse when I tried taking it out on the streets - your results could very well differ if you're a more advanced shooter than I am, but as a hobbyist I found it hard to nail focus on moving subjects (even with Sony's ease of manual focusing). At f/1.7 or lower, the focus plane is razor thin and if you have jittery hands or your subject moves just the slightest bit, the area that you intended to be in focus was slightly blurry. While this lens is in fact tack sharp, this was the biggest factor in making it seem like it wasn't. Again, I could have stopped down to 2.8 or even 5.6 to alleviate this, but then why buy something with a low f-stop? I'm sure the auto focus abilities of the Batis 40 will have yielded better results for me shooting street photography than this did. Additionally, if you were to hand this off to a non photographer to take a picture of you and a significant other, you might as well give them your iPhone because there is no way someone who doesn't know this lens or Sony's set up will get anything usable.The people who are giving this lens 5 stars are certainly not wrong, but it does in fact have some drawbacks I think photographers should consider prior to making this purchase. I actually replaced this with a combination of the Voigtlander 65mm macro and added the 24mm GM to my line up. I like shooting more wide, and to mimic the focal length of this lens, I can always pop the 24 GM into super 35 mode on my a7RII to get a 36mm focal length and still get 18MP out of the image. At f/1.4, the images are crisp and it's minimum focus distance is so much better than the Voigtlander 40mm. For those super close up shots, the 65mm Voigtlander is perfect (since it's minimum aperture is f/2) and renders a background that is shallower due to the focal length and Macro capabilities.Overall, I would advise someone looking into buying this on a an a7RII or a7RIII to spend the extra cash and get the 24mm GM (if you can find it). If you're on the a7II or a7III, I would consider the Batis 40, even though the aperture on that is a tough pill to swallow.
This is such an incredible lens and wish I would’ve bought it sooner! Being that it’s my first manual focus lens it took a little bit to get used to but it’s made me fall even more in love with the photography process. My biggest test was shooting wide open at f/1.2 most of the time to see how it performed. I mean we purchase a 1.2 lens to shoot it at 1.2 right? So with that I’ve been blown away with how sharp this lens is wide open.The body is well constructed, the focus ring has a nice resistance to it that allows you to focus precisely and is very compact. It’s been a joy shooting with this lens. I have several GM lenses that I’ve used regularly throughout the years that I haven’t touched since receiving the Voigtlander. I love it so much that I went ahead and ... MoreThis is such an incredible lens and wish I would’ve bought it sooner! Being that it’s my first manual focus lens it took a little bit to get used to but it’s made me fall even more in love with the photography process. My biggest test was shooting wide open at f/1.2 most of the time to see how it performed. I mean we purchase a 1.2 lens to shoot it at 1.2 right? So with that I’ve been blown away with how sharp this lens is wide open.The body is well constructed, the focus ring has a nice resistance to it that allows you to focus precisely and is very compact. It’s been a joy shooting with this lens. I have several GM lenses that I’ve used regularly throughout the years that I haven’t touched since receiving the Voigtlander. I love it so much that I went ahead and purchased the 12mm f/5.6 to accompany this 40mm.If you’re on the fence about this lens, don’t be. It makes shooting fun and gives you total control on the outcome of an image. It renders beautiful contrast & colors and is sharp across the f-stop board even wide open. This lens is a must have in any Sony users kit.
Of all the properties a lens exhibits, there is only one where this lens fails to deliver enough (if not even quite generously) for this most demanding task, making a sharp image corner to corner or nearly so at f/2.8 or faster. Ten years ago, it was a coup to find a lens which could do that at f/8 and there was perhaps one lens on the planet which could do it at 5.6. Things have improved to the point where there are now many which can do it at 5.6, few at 4.0 and almost none which can do it at 2.8. I carefully examined four copies of the V40. The variance between them is pretty small, which is typical of what Cosina does, both in their Zeiss lines and in their Voigtlander lines. I'm a big fan of Cosina's work at this point.The only issue which caused all four to ... MoreOf all the properties a lens exhibits, there is only one where this lens fails to deliver enough (if not even quite generously) for this most demanding task, making a sharp image corner to corner or nearly so at f/2.8 or faster. Ten years ago, it was a coup to find a lens which could do that at f/8 and there was perhaps one lens on the planet which could do it at 5.6. Things have improved to the point where there are now many which can do it at 5.6, few at 4.0 and almost none which can do it at 2.8. I carefully examined four copies of the V40. The variance between them is pretty small, which is typical of what Cosina does, both in their Zeiss lines and in their Voigtlander lines. I'm a big fan of Cosina's work at this point.The only issue which caused all four to fail this requirement was curvature of field. In each case there was a good focus region at 2.8 or even larger covering a circular region of between 10 and 12mm radius on the sensor (it varied a little). Beyond that there was a shift toward closer focus which brought the best focus distance to between 100 feet and 200 feet (roughly) in the corners and in the center of the short edges of the frame. Had there been one with all four corners at 200 feet, it would have been usable for stars, barely, but the only way one was that good along one side was that it was swung, so the other side was especially bad, focus-wise. Each of the four lenses also exhibited varying degrees of tilt and swing (as all lenses do), where one edge focusses closer or further than the opposite one does. The sensors also exhibit some tilt and swing, and in the case of the Sony's (at least the A7r II if not all of the Alphas, given that they all use the same system of shimming to align the sensor to the lens mount) that swing and/or tilt often does range up to about 45 microns, roughly 4X what it should be and perhaps 8X what would be ideal. My A7r II is aligned to better than 10 microns each way now, so I am able to test lenses well, independently of camera swing and tilt. Canon seems to hit a much more accurate target, well under 10 microns each way across the sensor, thanks to using a far superior method of sensor alignment during assembly. The worst lens known (by LensRentals, an EOS lens, and 85mm as I recall) in this regard ranges up to 200 microns of swing and/or tilt, but that's very unusually bad. The Cosina lenses are mostly within maybe 10 to 15 microns of swing or tilt, maybe sometimes 20, I'd estimate, off the top of my head.All of this is just not an issue if you're working at f/8 and smaller for landscape or if you're doing portraiture of most types of course. But if you're hoping to capture solid night sky data with this lens unfortunately you shouldn't bother. It's really quite wonderful in just about every other way. The infinity stop is done much like that of the Loxia 25, where the typical infinity stop location is just barely far enough beyond infinity to allow the corners to reach infinity, with the center going a hair beyond it, i.e. about 1 to 1.5 mils beyond it (25 to 38 microns, roughly, sometimes perhaps 50 microns/2 mils). So this V40 differs starkly from the V65 f/2.0 Apo-Lanthar in that regard. The V65 goes well beyond infinity, as perhaps every modern zoom lens does. This can start to matter if you've had to shim your Sony lens mount to get the darned camera to focus right. But that's Sony's fault, not Cosina's.The corners at 2.8 did look great when in focus, so the optical issues are almost entirely limited to curvature of field, which is pretty amazing. Superb lens, just not for stars. The forthcoming Batis 40mm f/2.0 should do quite a bit better for sharp infinity focus across the field at f/2.8. So far the only two lenses shorter than 85mm that I've found which can do a great job for stars at 2.8 are the V65 and the Loxia 25. There are tons of claims for other lenses doing great, and some Rokinon samples might sometimes, but I've found all such claims so far to be unmerited. 2.8 is really hard to manage well.
