CameraReview
Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical II VM
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Voigtlander · 40 mm · f/1.2 · Leica M mount · Full Frame

Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical II VM

From $1,149 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandVoigtlander
Announcement dateFeb 2025
Released2025
Production started2025
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptional speed with f/1.2 aperture enables creative depth of field and low-light performance
+Compact, lightweight design (9.4 oz) ideal for rangefinder cameras with minimal vignetting
+Double-sided aspherical elements deliver sharp, contrast-rich images at wide apertures
+Beautiful, smooth bokeh from 10-blade diaphragm and refined optics
+Exceptional build quality with all-metal construction and precise mechanical focusing
+Versatile 40mm focal length between traditional 35mm and 50mm lenses
Worth Knowing
Pronounced chromatic aberration and purple fringing, especially wide open
Significant vignetting at f/1.2 that persists even at f/5.6 on bright scenes
Soft, dreamy rendering wide open (f/1.2-f/2) may disappoint sharpness-focused photographers
Requires stopping down to f/5.6+ for optimal sharpness and control across the frame

General

Brand
Voigtlander
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Feb 2025
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2025
Production started
2025
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Voigtländer 40 mm F1.2 Nokton II VM combines modern high performance with the timeless charm of classic lens design. The large maximum aperture of F1.2 enables a soft, smooth bokeh and opens up creative scope in available light. Despite its exceptional speed, the lens remains surprisingly compact with a weight of just 267 g, making it light and balanced for rangefinder cameras. Reviews reveal it excels at creating distinctive character but prioritizes rendering over clinical sharpness, making it ideal for photographers seeking dreamy, characterful images rather than maximum pixel-level definition.

Optics

Minimum Aperture
f/22
Optical Design
8 elements in 6 groups
Aspherical Elements
2 elements with 4 aspherical surfaces
Min focal length
40 mm
Max focal length
40 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
40 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
1.2
Max aperture zoom
1.2
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
10020
Autofocus mode
No

Focus

Minimum Focus Distance (Rangefinder)
0.7m
Minimum Focus Distance (Live View)
0.5m
Focus Throw
~160°

Build

Angle of View
54.7°
Finish
Black rim

Special features

Rangefinder Coupling
Yes, to 0.7m
1/3 Stop Increments
Yes
Stepless Aperture
Selectable for video

Physical

Lens mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Leica M
Lens weight
267 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
52 mm
Maximum format
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Full Frame