Evaluate: Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton

Introduction

Earlier than the discharge of the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.0 Nokton in 2022, this Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton was Cosina’s costliest M-mount lens and in addition considered one of their most advanced ones – due to 13 components in 11 teams, 4 aspherical surfaces and a floating components design. Sadly this additionally made it considered one of their heaviest and costliest lenses and I’ve the sensation it didn’t fairly get the momentum Cosina anticipated for his or her flagship lens, therefore in lots of components of the world the worth has been lowered a number of occasions since launch – purpose sufficient to have a better take a look at this intriguing lens now.
Lens is being reviewed on Sony A7rII and Leica M10

Pattern Photos

Yow will discover a lot of the photographs on this evaluate in full decision right here.

Specs/Model Historical past

Cosina has made two quick 21mm lenses for M-mount thus far and at present additionally they have a slower 21mm 3.5 of their line up:

• Voigtländer VM 21mm 3.5 Colour-Skopar
  182g, 1 aspherical floor, unit focus design, 39 mm filter thread, 10 aperture blades, detachable hood, launched 2018
• Voigtlander VM 21mm 1.8 Ultron
  412g, 1 aspherical floor, unit focus design, 58 mm filter thread, 10 aperture blades, non detachable hood, launched 2012, discontinued early 2023
• Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton
  480g, 4 aspherical surfaces, floating components design, 62 mm filter thread, 12 aperture blades, detachable hood, launched 2020

It is a evaluate of the f/1.4 model and its full specs are:

• Diameter: 69.5 mm
• Discipline of view: 90.3° (diagonally)
• Size: 69.7 mm
• Weight: 484g (with out caps and hood)
• Filter Diameter: 62 mm
• Variety of Aperture Blades: 12 (straight)
• Components/Teams: 13/11
  
• Shut Focusing Distance: 0.5 m
• Most Magnification: ~1:18.3 (measured)
• Mount: M-mount

The Voigtländer 21mm 1.4 Nokton can also be accessible for E-mount, yow will discover its evaluate right here.

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Dealing with/Construct High quality

I’ve mentioned it previously, there isn’t a clear line on the subject of the casing design of Cosina’s VM lenses. This one I might describe because the “traditional VM design” additionally discovered on e.g. the Voigtländer VM 15mm 4.5 II/III, VM 35mm 1.2 III, VM 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar, VM 40mm 1.4, VM 50mm 1.2 and lots extra, this implies: all the things looks like it’s constructed from steel and all of the pink/white markings are engraved and stuffed with paint.
Fortunately there isn’t a shiny entrance ring to be discovered right here, as that would result in some reflection points on earlier lenses.

The hill/valley focus ring has completely even resistance and travels roughly 120° from the minimal focus distance of 0.5 m to infinity, due to the lengthy focus throw setting exact focus is just not a difficulty with this lens, even at longer focus distances.
The lens is rangefinder coupled between 0.7 m and infinity. Not like some Laowa and the most recent Leica lenses there isn’t a click-stop for leaving this coupled vary although. Nonetheless: when going from the minimal focus distance to 0.7 m you may really feel the curler partaking once more.

The aperture ring has half-stop click on stops and travels ~110° from f/1.4 to f/16. Apparently they don’t seem to be spaced equidistantly right here, as the space between f/1.4 and f/2.0 is greater than that between f/11 and f/16.

Rangefinder blockage

It shouldn’t come as a shock that the rangefinder blockage is critical with this lens. With the hood hooked up and the lens set to its minimal focus distance even part of the rangefinder patch is obstructed. Not preferrred in the event you depend on the rangefinder to focus.

Speaking in regards to the hood: historically the hoods for the Voigtländer M-mount lenses must be purchased individually – whereas they’re included with the E-mount lenses; one thing I by no means actually understood.
Both means, with this 21mm f/1.4 lens the hood is included and it has one of the vital distinctive/odd designs I got here throughout thus far. It has additionally a characteristic we already know from the Laowa 28mm 1.2: a filter could be hooked up beneath the hood and opposite to the Laowa lens right here even a slim polarizer suits.

Naturally the Voigtländer lenses do actually good within the flare resistance division, so we are going to examine if this hood is definitely mandatory, because it makes the lens even bulkier.

You’ll be able to adapt the M-mount model to quite a lot of different mirrorless cameras and even flip it into an AF lens with the Techart LM-EA9 AF adapter. Watch out although: this Voigtländer 21mm 1.4 options an inner focus mechanism, so it’s possible you’ll need to prefocus the lens manually to get very best efficiency out of it.

Vignetting

Now normally we derive these vignetting numbers and figures by taking pictures an overcast sky by way of a white tissue, as this creates a largely uniform and subtle gentle.
With extensive angle lenses this methodology is just not optimum although: the vignetting figures will come out too excessive as a result of the sunshine within the corners has to journey by way of the tissue at an angle, rising the vignetting away from the middle.
So right here I made a decision to point out you each, the vignetting figures shot by way of a tissue, so you may examine them to different opinions, and those with out to get a greater thought what to truly count on within the subject.
Both means: the vignetting figures of this lens are very excessive.

With quick lenses I typically use ND filters to have the ability to shoot at wider apertures in daylight – particularly with the Leica M10 (due to its limiting 1/4000s quickest shutter pace together with the excessive base ISO of 160/200) or movie cameras.
Now as the next comparability reveals, with this lens it’s not actually an awesome thought to make use of ND filters for that, as even a 3-stop one will additional enhance the already excessive vignetting significantly:

Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/1.4 | Heliopan ND 0.9

The Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton is noticeably greater than its predecessor the Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.8 Ultron, what does this imply for the vignetting figures?
There aren’t actually any surprises right here. The VM 21mm 1.4 reveals increased vignetting at f/1.4 than the VM 21mm 1.8 @ 1.8, however noticeably much less when stopped right down to f/2.0. Stopped right down to f/5.6 to f/16 there’s hardly any distinction between these two lenses.

Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.8 Ultron

It is strongly recommended to take a look at this text first to get an thought how this brightness graph works.

Sharpness

Focus Shift

Sony A7rII | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 | 50% crops

The Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton doesn’t present any focus shift, excellent information for rangefinder customers!

infinity (42mp Sony A7rII, 24mp Leica M10)

The publicity of nook crops has been elevated in publish to disclose extra particulars. 

On the Leica M10 we see a extremely astonishing efficiency, particularly contemplating we’re coping with a nonetheless comparably compact 21mm f/1.4 lens right here. There’s a tiny mid zone dip at f/1.4 in the event you look actually onerous for it and the corners don’t look as nice at f/1.4 to f/2.0 as they do from f/2.8 onwards, however severely: I might by no means thoughts to only use this lens at f/1.4, it’s that good.

The M-mount customers can cease studying right here, however there are additionally some customers of various digital camera techniques taking a look at these opinions, so what follows is aimed toward these.

When evaluating the efficiency of this M-mount model to that of the precise E-mount model we see clearly higher nook efficiency of the E-mount model when used on an E-mount digital camera. That is really the way it must be, because it means optical changes have been made for these lenses to carry out greatest on the digital camera (or higher sensor) they’ve been designed for.
In case you are utilizing an E-mount digital camera I might suggest to stay to the E-mount model of this lens.

shut 0.5 m, 1:18.3 (42mp Sony A7rII)

Sony A7rII | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 | 100% crops

Lenses with floating components are presupposed to carry out effectively on this class and the Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton undoubtedly does. Already at f/1.4 it reveals actually good efficiency.
You’ll be able to take a look on the TTArtisan 21mm 1.5 for comparability, regardless of not focusing as shut (0.7 m MFD) it performs noticeably worse at its most aperture.

Flare resistance

As all the time evaluating flare is a fancy matter since you will get any lens to look dangerous in the event you push it onerous sufficient and a slight change of situation can have an effect on outcomes so much.

That being mentioned the Voigtländer lenses are normally among the many greatest on this class and the VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton is not any exception. Distinction all the time stays on a excessive degree and veiling flare with the solar exterior the body has by no means been a difficulty.

The one artefact I managed to come across is a purple ghost that repeatedly seems with a robust level gentle supply within the body.

The hood isn’t actually wanted as I didn’t discover it to make a notable distinction.

Coma

100% crops from excessive nook, centered at infinity onerous cease, M10

At f/1.4 to f/2.0 coma is unquestionably noticeable, however for a lens as extensive as 21mm and as quick as f/1.4 that is nonetheless a decent to good efficiency.
If I used to be taking pictures a blue hour metropolis scape with the intention to print massive I might suggest to cease right down to f/2.8 for greatest efficiency right here although.

Within the M-mount world the TTArtisan 21mm 1.5 performs noticeably worse, the slower Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.8 Ultron performs comparable at shared apertures.
If we take a look at E-mount lenses the Sony FE 20mm 1.8 G additionally performs comparable at shared apertures, the Sony FE 24mm 1.4 GM a bit higher.

Distortion

Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/8.0

The Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton reveals low however wavy pincushion distortion. There’s a correction profile in Lightroom accessible that does an excellent job at correcting the distortion. I used the profile for most of the pattern photos with a whole lot of straight strains.

Bokeh

I’m a giant fan of the extensive angle bokeh that may be created with quick 28mm and 35mm lenses for environmental portraits. In the case of 21mm lenses the state of affairs is a bit totally different although: already at half-body portrait distances you might want to watch out with the angle distortion of a lens this extensive, in any other case your mannequin could find yourself with very unflattering proportions.

The next photos have been taken with the lens set to its minimal focus distances (0.5 m) so that they present the utmost quantity of blur that may be created with this lens.
I did discover a minimal focus distance of 0.5 m additionally a bit limiting and would undoubtedly desire the 0.25 m of the E-mount model.

I’m not positive there’s any 21mm M-mount lens that pulls a nicer bokeh than this one, however the rendering does get a bit harsher in direction of the corners and this isn’t my most well-liked look.
In case you are searching for a large angle lens to create interesting bokeh in shut focus situations you’ll want to take a look at the Laowa 15mm 2.0 M because it focuses nearer and attracts a smoother bokeh.

For full physique portraits – and even greater objects – at longer distances you’ll barely discover that the background is out of focus in any respect – at regular viewing distances that’s:

Sunstars

Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | 33% crops

Initially Cosina used 10 straight aperture blades for his or her M-mount lenses however among the newer ones characteristic 12 straight aperture blades as an alternative. This 21mm 1.4 doesn’t draw as pointed stars because the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.5 II or the 21mm 3.5 Colour-Skopar with their 10 aperture blades however they’re nonetheless good to have a look at between f/2.0 and f/16.
If you wish to be taught extra about sunstars take a look at this text.

Chromatic aberrations

lateral

Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/8.0 | 100% crop from nook

Lateral CA are on a low degree and could be simply corrected with only one click on in e.g. Lightroom.

longitudinal

When taking pictures excessive distinction scenes at extensive apertures bokeh fringing can seem and we see a median quantity of inexperienced outlining:

Sony A7rII UT | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/1.4

Purple fringing can also be noticeable at f/1.4:

Leica M10 | Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton | f/1.4

Not a nasty efficiency for an f/1.4 lens, however I’ve seen higher. For instance the TTArtisan 21mm 1.5 carried out a bit higher right here and the Sony FE 20mm 1.8G noticeably higher.

Conclusion

By way of optical efficiency this Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton might be the most effective 21mm lens you may connect to your M-mount digital camera. Sharpness and distinction are extraordinarily good, solely the most recent extensive angle lenses that additionally make use of a fancy optical design and aspherical components can compete with this lens. Additionally Voigtländer’s personal VM 21mm 3.5 Colour-Skopar can’t compete at any aperture. The flare resistance can also be good and the lens comes with distinct sunstars typical for Cosina’s Voigtländer lenses.

There’s one query it’s possible you’ll need to ask your self although: are you able to make use of the quick aperture on the subject of a 21mm lens?
For environmental portraits I desire 28 and 35mm lenses. I additionally don’t actually see folks utilizing M-mount cameras for astrophotography (the excessive vignetting doesn’t precisely assist right here both).
For me personally I see the principle functions for a lens like this for reportage/live performance pictures or when utilizing analogue cameras, the place each little bit of extra pace is enormously appreciated.

Contemplating the advanced optical in addition to mechanical design – and maintaining in thoughts Leica’s 21mm 1.4 is even greater and heavier – I shouldn’t complain an excessive amount of about this lens’ dimensions and weight, however it’s nonetheless a giant and heavy lens. Larger and heavier than I normally like my M-mount lenses to be.
However the reality is: this Voigtländer’s optical efficiency is so good that I nonetheless ended up placing it within the bag and I by no means regretted that when trying on the outcomes afterwards.

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Alternate options

M-mount

Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.8 Ultron
Truly my plan was to purchase each – the older VM 21mm 1.8 Ultron and the newer VM 21mm 1.4 Nokton – and doing a correct comparability between these two lenses, particularly as I discover the burden and dimension (with shaved off hood at the least) of the f/1.8 model extra becoming to the M-mount cameras.
Lengthy story quick: I purchased two copies of the VM 21mm 1.8 Ultron and each have been too decentered to evaluate them (not to mention to pay for, preserve and use personally).
From what I’ve seen from these two samples I’ve some doubts that even a very well centered pattern may compete with the f/1.4 Nokton when it comes to optical efficiency although.
In case you are positioned within the EU and occur to have a very well centered pattern that you’d be keen to ship me for a evaluate please name out.
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TTArtisan 21mm 1.5
By way of optical efficiency the TTArtisan 21mm 1.5 merely can’t sustain with this Voigtländer VM 21mm 1.4. Sharpness and distinction are worse (no floating components), stopped-down vignetting is increased, coma is stronger, flare resistance is worse and the minimal focus distance can also be worse.
It’s a lot cheaper although, so in the event you solely not often want a 21mm lens however you desire a quick one this may nonetheless be a viable different.
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Leica 21mm 1.4 Summilux-M
Now in the event you assume this Voigtländer is a heavy lens you’ll most likely not like Leica’s model, because it provides an extra 100g. Its optical design is easier (solely 10 components with 2 aspherical surfaces, not 13 with 4) but it surely additionally contains a floating components design – it solely focuses right down to 0.7 m although, so I’m not positive how helpful it really is.
As ordinary it’s onerous to search out opinions with an precise evaluation of this Leica lens’ efficiency, however what I noticed didn’t give me any purpose to think about selecting it over the Voigtländer 21mm 1.4.
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E-mount

Voigtländer 21mm 1.4 Nokton E
I do know a few of you might be tempted to get the M-mount model to have the ability to apply it to totally different digital camera techniques and even turning it into an AF lens with the assistance of the Techart LM-EA9 AF adapter, however the E-mount model is definitely optimized for Sony’s thicker sensor filter stack, so it does carry out visibly higher in some areas, particularly infinity nook sharpness at wider apertures and it additionally focuses nearer.
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For E-mount a number of different attention-grabbing alternate options can be found, most notable is the Sony FE 20mm 1.8 G, but in addition the Sigma 20mm 1.4 DG DN Artwork and the Sony FE 24mm 1.4 GM must be thought of. Yow will discover all these choices mentioned in our Information to 20-28mm Large Angle Lenses for Sony FE cameras.

Pattern photos

Yow will discover a lot of the photographs on this evaluate in full decision right here.

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