25mm f/0.95 Nokton Aspherical Type II Lens for Micro Four Thirds

This lens is an absolute gem, and well worth its price. One of the first things to understand is that this is not an auto-focus lens, and the aperture is set on the lens itself (much like lenses of yore in the film SLR days). Do not let that fact deter you from considering or purchasing this lens. On the Micro 4/3 format, Voigtlander's 25mm Nokton is the equivalent focal length to 50mm primes. With a staggeringly large f/0.95 aperture, you'll be able to get lovely subject isolation, shallow depth of field, and smooth, creamy bokeh. Shooting in low light is also a reality, especially at mid-range ISOs. The image quality is astounding, and truly remarkable for a lens on the M 4/3 system. I shoot on an Olympus OM-D E-M5, and the resulting RAW images are very pleasing. At f/0.95, the images are soft and hazy, and to me are very reminiscent of the much sought-after "film look" in the digital era. As a portrait lens, the Nokton shines -- however, you'll need a patient subject if you aren't accustomed to fast manual focusing. This process is made much easier with an electronic viewfinder or peak focusing. Any excuse to use the f/0.95 aperture is a good one, but the lens also performs well in the more common aperture ranges, as well. The lens is tack sharp at f/2.8-f/4, and performs well all the way up through f/16. Probably wouldn't hurt to pick up an ND filter for shooting in brighter conditions at around f/0.95. If you're looking for a rugged lens with high-quality optics with peerless bokeh and low light performance on the Micro 4/3 system (and you have the $899 to throw down), pick this lens up. It's worth every penny.

This is an incredibly well-built lens. The glass is fantastic, focusing (when working) is smooth. This seemed to be a perfect lens meant to last a lifetime. But...within only two weeks of having this lens, I picked up the camera and went to adjust the focus ring, and it was completely locked up. I tried turning with min to mod force, but didn't want to wrench, so I took the lens off the camera and still couldn't get the focus ring to unlock. Then after playing around with it a little longer, it finally unlocked and was turning freely and smoothly again. However, this is extremely disconcerting and now I don't trust this lens not to freeze up again in the field. So sadly, I'm returning it while I still can. I really like this lens, but this shouldn't be happening with an $800 brand-new manual lens. I have never had a lens do something like that. Perhaps if lens came with a 3-5 year warranty, I would have kept. The lens seems solid otherwise, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't back it up with a longer warranty.

Guys this lens is just beautiful makes images look very film like and more natural less digital. Bokeh is just delicious. the only thing I have to criticize is the lens cap, it keeps falling off the camera making the lens dirty it really sucks for such an expensive lense this shouldn't be like this that is the reason why i give it 4 stars. *************Update 01/07/2013************** I still think the lens is very beautiful, I have the gh3 and the panny 7-14mm. I take a lot of photos while travelling with both of my lenses but when it comes to editing I find that the photos with the panny 7-14mm are the ones that need to be edited usually the photos taken with my Voigtlander 25mm f 0,95 are just great. The lens does a great job in low light and it renders a beautiful image and seems to make the colors so vivid. At post processing I usually leave my voigtlander pics without editing they are just great as they come out of the camera.

The build quality is definitely better than most lenses save for maybe a Zeiss or Leica. Now I have zero experience with Leica but I am familiar with Zeiss, and the Voigtlander is fitting company. I purchased this lens primarily for video, so the ability to have a de-clicked aperture ring is a welcome feature. Every turn of the ring is solid, and the focus is smooth. The lens screams quality when you hold it, and the weight of it lets you know it is. I bought it for the 0.95 F-stop which translate to T-stop for video. The glass in this thing is choice. If you are looking into this you know what it is, and if you have one you know what you got. So I'm not going to re-hash what others have already said in their reviews. I'm just writing this to confirm its aplomb. I recently walked into a high-end video store, you know the kind that has a receptionist, leather couches, and bottled water. I felt like I was about negotiate a multi-million dollar movie deal, not browse the product displays of equipment I can barely afford (lets be honest, can't afford). Point being, they had this lens displayed, attached to a Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera on a video rig that cost more than the camera and lens together. It's like those ads where they put a Ducati next to a Ferrari and you don't know which the ad is for but they are somehow associated with caviar and a G5 luxury passenger jet... All I'm really saying is this lens is Top Notch with few peers. My only issue, and I feel is a realistic one, is why does it not come with it's own padded case. I bought a Sigma prime lens for under two hundred dollars, and a zoom lens for less than the Voigtlander, and both came with a case. a nice one too, not anything remotely cheap in quality. I have This Voightlander 25mm and the 17.5mm and neither one came with a case. I want to remove a star so badly for that --- "These are the lenses you were looking for..." If you are looking to use this lens for video, there might be a slight challenge in regards to using a follow focus system. The focus barrel has enough space for the focus markings, the grip ring which is wide, and then a narrow gap that ends at the Aperture ring. Well if you are attaching that focus ring guide to the barrel just know that the grip ring of the voigtlander has thumb size gaps between ridges. Those gaps are also slightly concave (image a donut with bites spaced apart around the whole edge of the donut). Note: Lens and hood are metal, filter size is 52mm for the lens and 67mm for the hood. Also comes with rear cap and lens caps for both lens and hood...

Excellent build quality (metal body). Nice metal 67mm lens hood (lens has a 52mm filter thread). Spectacular color and sharp wide open at f/0.95. Has an extremely long focus throw ring for precise focusing. Legendary Voigtlander quality and adds character to your images. It's my favorite lens! :)

Returned due to focus problem.

This lens is a 180-degree switch from the gear I usually shoot with. Instead of crazy-fast Nikon AF lenses and bodies, I've been walking around with the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 mounted to an OM-D, grabbing out-of-focus but somehow oh-so-compelling shots of family, friends, and neighborhood features. It's big and heavy for a µ4/3 lens, and expensive compared to many other excellent AF-capable alternatives. Regardless, the paper-thin focus zone that an f/0.95 max aperture allows deserves a well-damped, precise MF interface, and this lens delivers. This and its 17.5mm cousin are both a wonderful throwback to old-school glass that combine well with the portability and high-ISO performance of modern mirrorless camera bodies.

This lens has a solid and sturdy feel. I use it with the GH2 and it can match what my eyes are seeing (in terms of brightness) at f.95 and 320 ISO. This lens, paired with a hacked GH2, will see more than your eyes can: [...] My only complaint is that the lens cap is plastic and is easy to fall off, but the lens cap for the included lens hood is more secure (still made of plastic).