Review of the Voightlander Nokton 50mm f1.0 Lens for Canon RF Mount

The Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.0 Lens for Canon RF Mount: A Masterpiece of Optical Engineering

Announced in the spring of 2023 and released in October of that same year, the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.0 lens for Canon RF mount. This is a lens I have very much had on my radar. It’s one of the first third-party lenses that has been released with Canon’s blessing for the RF mount. Sure, there are a host of other third-party manual focus lenses out there from Chinese lens manufacturers. Canon doesn’t seem to care if you make full manual lenses with or without their permission for the RF mount, but auto focus third-party lenses are another matter entirely. The TTArtisan 50mm f.95 I have is a good example. It’s cheap and can be had for not much over $200.00 – I have a pretty extensive review of it on my YouTube channel. The lens is fun to play with, and can produce remarkably good images for the price of admission, but it’s really not much more than a fun play thing. Because the Voightlander 50mm f1.0 was done in conjunction and with permission from Cannon, the lens mount is equipped with electronic contacts to enable communication between the lens and the housing. In combination with the Canon EOS R system housing, it supports EXIF information, image stabilization in the housing (3-axis) and three types of focus support functions (magnified display, peaking, focus guidance). These are all key features that are missing from other Chinese third-party manufacturers products currently on market. Incidentally, I plan on doing a head to head comparison of this lens with the TTArtisan 50mm f.95.

In this comprehensive review, I’ll delve into the specifications, performance, and overall user experience of this remarkable lens. But first let me talk a little bit about Voightlander.

WHO IS VOIGHTLANDER?

Voigtlander is a renowned German optics manufacturer with a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Founded by Johann Christoph Voigtländer in Vienna, Austria, in 1756, the company initially produced optical instruments such as telescopes and microscopes.
While the company has undergone various ownership changes and reorganizations throughout its history, it remains a respected name in the world of photography, with its lenses and cameras prized by photographers and collectors alike. Today, Voigtlander continues to produce a wide range of lenses for various camera systems, including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and rangefinders, maintaining its legacy of excellence in optical engineering. For about the last two decades, Voightlander has been owned by the Japanese optics manufacturer Cosina (who, incidentally also happens to own Zeiss) and continues to produce a wide range of lenses for various camera systems, including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and rangefinders, maintaining its legacy of excellence in optical engineering.

SPECIFICATIONS

Let’s start by examining the technical specifications of the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 lens:

-Focal Length: 50mm
-Maximum Aperture: f/1.0
-Minimum Aperture: f/16
-Lens Mount: Canon R
-Format Compatibility: Full-Frame
-Angle of View: 47.5°
-Minimum Focus Distance: 0.45m (1.48ft)
-Maximum Magnification: 0.07x
-Optical Design: 10 elements in 8 groups
-Diaphragm Blades: 12, rounded
-Focus Type: Manual Focus
-Filter Size: 58mm
-Dimensions (DxL): 70 x 72mm (2.76 x 2.83”)
-Weight: 703g (1.55 lbs.)

WHY DID I PURCHASE THIS LENS? IS IT BETTER THAN THE CANON RF 50mm f 1.2?

You might be wondering why I purchased the lens over the Canon RF 50mm f 1.2? Optically, the Canon would technically speaking, be the superior choice. It’s going to produce an sharper overall image with less chromatic aberrations, and less vignetting. But I have plenty of Canon glass if that clinical, digitally perfect look that if that’s what I’m seeking. The last year or so using the TTArtisan 50mm f.95 has given me an appreciation for manual lenses that can produce images with less digital “perfection“ and more character. But more over, it’s given me an appreciation for the process of producing a manual image. The intentionality… Slowing down… Being more in control. I was looking for the experience as much as the image. Something different. But in terms of the image output, I was hoping to be able to produce images that were more. “Leica like.” Maybe a little bit more of a film look to my images. And that’s precisely what the Voightlander provides. Despite being the same focal length, I don’t think this lens directly competes with the Canon counterpart. The Canon lens retails for $2299.00 (they can be found for less on sale) which makes it more expensive as you expect being an auto focus lens. But the Canon lens is going to be a much better choice for the professional user by virtue of the auto focus capabilities and unparalleled sharpness. The Voightlander is going to be the lens that the professional photographer reaches for when they are shooting for themselves and want to stoke the fires of creativity. To be clear this lens isn’t for everyone. For the budget minded looking for an exceptionally sharp lens with auto focus, the better choice might even be the Canon EF 50mm 1.2, particularly if you already have the Canon EF to RF adapter.

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:

The Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 lens exudes quality craftsmanship from every angle. Its robust metal construction instills confidence in its durability, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of professional use. The lens features a classic yet elegant design, with smooth, precise manual focus and aperture control rings that provide a tactile and satisfying feel.  Aesthetically speaking, the design is as extremely attractive as it is “retro” in execution.

Despite its solid build, the lens remains relatively compact and lightweight, making it well-balanced when mounted on Canon RF cameras. The inclusion of weather sealing enhances its versatility, allowing photographers to confidently shoot in challenging environmental conditions without worry. Much like the images it produces, the design of the lens is in stark contrast to Canon native glass. The whole metal construction harkens back to yesteryear, while native Canon RF glass (which is extremely robust), has an all plastic exterior in most cases. The lens is about half the size of the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 and is considerably lighter, which was another big draw for me to purchase the lens.

OPTICAL PERFORMANCE:

At the heart of the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 lens lies its remarkable optical performance. With a bright maximum aperture of f/1.0, this lens excels in low-light situations, allowing photographers to capture stunning images with beautiful background blur and excellent subject isolation.

The 10-element, 8-group optical design incorporates high-quality glass elements, including aspherical and anomalous partial dispersion elements, to minimize chromatic aberrations, distortions, and spherical aberrations. The result is exceptional image sharpness, clarity, and contrast throughout the aperture range.

One of the standout features of this lens is its ability to render smooth and creamy bokeh, thanks to its 12-blade rounded diaphragm. Whether shooting portraits, street scenes, or landscapes, the pleasing background blur adds a sense of depth and dimensionality to images, enhancing their visual impact.

MANUAL FOCUS EXPERIENCE:

As a manual focus lens, the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 offers photographers precise control over their compositions. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, allowing for effortless adjustments and precise focusing, even when shooting at the wide-open aperture of f/1.0.

While some photographers may prefer autofocus lenses for convenience, the manual focus experience of the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 is a delight for those of us who appreciate the art and craft of photography. With practice, users can quickly become adept at achieving tack-sharp focus, even in challenging shooting conditions. Again, because this lens is produced in cooperation with Canon, and can pass electronic signals between the lens and the body, you can make use of Canon’s excellent manual assist focus feature. Just put the focusing point where you want it, line up the focusing triangles, And you are guaranteed to get tack sharp results.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD:

In real-world shooting scenarios, the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 lens truly shines. Its fast aperture and exceptional optical quality make it an ideal choice for a wide range of photography genres, including portrait, street, documentary, and low-light photography.

Additionally, the lens’s close minimum focus distance of 0.45m opens up creative possibilities for macro-like imagery, allowing photographers to capture small details with stunning clarity and sharpness.  Here’s some example street photography photos I took in downtown Miamisburg, Ohio:

CONCLUSION:

The Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.0 lens for the Canon RF mount is a masterpiece of optical engineering that delivers unparalleled image quality, build quality, and performance. Let me be clear that while the image quality is something that you’re not going to be able to reproduce with any other lens currently available for the canon RF mount, it’s not going to be the absolute pinnacle of digital image perfection that can be produced – and that’s by design. This lens is designed to provide a “retro“ film like look to the images it produces. Whether you’re a professional photographer seeking a versatile prime lens or an enthusiast looking to take your photography to the next level, this lens is sure to exceed your expectations. And it does so in a lighter, more compact size then what’s found in the Canon RF 50mm 1.2 which in and of itself is going to make the Voightlander 50mm f1.0 a more attractive option. Is the lens sharp? Absolutely. Though pixel peepers may note some softness wide open on the lens. Speaking of which, many people may be wondering just how useful the lens will be at f1.0. Is it useful? Absolutely. Some may be thinking that getting a usable photo at f1.0 with a manual focus lens will be next to impossible because of the razor, thin depth the field. Here again, the excellence, Canon manual focus assist tools, take all the guest out and make nailing focus easy. I can’t say that I am taking a ton or even most of the photos that I’m getting with this lens at f1.0. But that’s the same for my Canon RF 85mm 1.2 DS. That setting is just not going to be appropriate for every single photo that you take. More often I’m probably shooting between. f1.4 and f2.

With its fast aperture, exceptional sharpness, creamy bokeh, and precise manual focus, the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 lens is a true gem in the world of prime lenses. While its manual focus may not be for everyone, those who appreciate the artistry of photography will find it to be a joy to use.

Overall, the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 lens represents an investment in quality and craftsmanship that will reward photographers with breathtaking images for years to come. Whether capturing portraits, street scenes, or landscapes, this lens is sure to inspire creativity and elevate your photography to new heights.  The current retail price is $1799.00 and can be purchased on Amazon by clicking here.

I also produced a video review of this lens for the ThruMyLens YouTube channel: