Voigtländer Nokton 25/0.95

[Abbazz]

I got this lens three weeks ago, but I have been too busy with my work to use it much. Anyway, here are a few pictures taken during the last few days, all taken wide open at F/0.95:















Obviously, vignetting is very high wide open:















Like many fast lenses, some aberrations are quite visible wide open (mainly lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations, as well as coma). As stated before, vignetting is also pretty bad (around 2 stops in the corners). Lastly, there is a nasty field curvature that prevents the corners from being sharp at the same time as the center of the field.

So, does it mean that the lens is useless? Certainly not. It remains perfectly usable wide open -- even though the images are not perfect -- and not only for close up shots, but also for images taken at infinity in poor light conditions. And when stopped down, the lens becomes very sharp and free from aberrations.

Of course, built quality is top level, as usual with Cosina/Voigtländer products, while the price, although a bit expensive, is in fact quite reasonable for the quality of this lens, especially when compared to other super fast lenses. If you really need F/0.95, you know what I mean!

Cheers!

Abbazz

[Orio]

Looks interesting, quite swirly bokeh. I assume you're not in Brunei aymore - this doesn't look like a typical Brunei landscape

[caspert79]

Image seems to be very soft in the extreme corners. Except for the corners, the image quality seems to be pretty impressive!

[Abbazz]

[Olivier]

Nice results, Abbaz and welcome back to France, even if it's not the best time to come back as weather is not very good...

Where have these shots been taken ?
Northern France, or Western like around Le Mans ?

[DSG]

[ManualFocus-G]

I'm seriously impressed! For such a fast lens, the results are excellent. Great photos!

[bogolisk]

I think it's a m4/3 lens (but MF only, no cpu).

[gearsNcogs]

Wow! I'm amazed by this lens. Looks like another one for my dream list!

[Attila]

Hey nice to see your post again! I am very impressed about image quality, many thanks for sharing them!

[patrickh]

Very surprising results Abbazz. Much better than I would have expected - usually those ultra-fast lenses give up a lot more sharpness wide open. Amazing.


patrickh

[Nordentro]

I agree, it's really good to be wide open

[Abbazz]

Thanks guys for the kind words. I have been surprised by the image quality delivered by this lens, as there have been many negative comments on some photography forums dedicated to beginners. But, as usual, those were from professional pixel peepers who have never seen the lens.

Of course, as this is a native Micro 4/3rds lens, it is not usable on any larger format camera, except maybe for some high magnification macro shots.

[Olivier]

[kawasakiguy37]

very jealous. That lens kicks ass for 0.95 wide open sharpness and detail. You got a real gem

[RioRico]

It indeed gives very nice results. Nice catch! Fortunately, I have no m4/3 camera, so I can't be jealous.

Food for thought: According to the DOF INDEX (divide focal length by aperture -- larger quotients mean thinner DOF) the DOF of a 25/0.95 is thicker than a 50/2.0 but thinner than a 50/1.7. But if I could get anything in the f/1.0 neighborhood, would I? Hell yeah! Stuff like this almost pushes me towards painfully buying an m4/3 cam. But then I would be jealous...

[rawhead]

My copy of this lens should be arriving soon, and I should be receiving the Angenieux 25/0.95 I bought from Attila's friend too, so I'll do some comparison shots

[Nordentro]

[sichko]

[LucisPictor]

When I first read about it, I thought: "What is that good for?"
I expected an "reputation" lens with an aperture of f/0.95 that is of no real use.
But this lens looks good! It is a beauty and it seems to be a fantastic performer. Such a lens is great for all µ4/3 users. I really have changed my mind.
If I ever will a GF2, I will also get this lens!

[Kram]

Looks very sharp wide open. Love the first pic. Must be quite pricey!

[RioRico]

[castroxx]

Got this lens just in time for the Xmas holidays, and I am very positively impressed and delighted. On Lumix G1 and GH2, for portrait pictures at available light (house), it is excellent. The extra luminosity is a bonus, focussing is very easy, sharpness is excellent (if you focus well), contrast is excellent. And - it is FUN to use! I have used a lot of older lenses (Leica and Beroflex 28/2.8, Leica 40/2, Takumars 50/1.4, 55/1.8, Voigtlaender 75/2,...) but this one is the definite keeper. it is pricey (800 CHF = 800 USD here in Switzerland over the internet) but it is definitely worth it! it is a bit heavy (metal and muchglass) but well in the hand. The bokeh is not "soft as butter" but is still pleasant, and a nice surprise is the close focus capability (17cm) that makes for interesting perspectives.

[WT21]

Do you find this lens helps you feel a bit better about the high ISO limitations of the m43 cameras? .95 would be very useful in keeping the ISO down, it seems to me.

[Phenix jc]

Very sharp wo. The bokeh seems buzzy, and, perhaps, not in a pleasant way. Thx for sharing.