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Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.5 Aspherical
Cosina · 2008-present
The Leica alternative that delivers exceptional performance at a fraction of the price. Faster than the Summicron with beautiful vintage rendering wide open. Available in aluminum (198g) or brass (255g) versions.
Known for
- Street photography
- Portraits
- Low light
- Budget Leica shooters
Considerations
- Soft corners wide open
- Some swirly bokeh
Optical Characteristics
Sharpness (wide)4/5
Sharpness (stopped)5/5
Contrast4/5
Flare Resistance4/5
CA Control3/5
Vignetting Control3/5
Distortion Control5/5
Bokeh: Creamy, swirly wide open
Rendering: Vintage character with modern sharpness
Color: Neutral
Versions
VM II
2019-present
Improved coating, revised focus throw
Current version with better flare control
The version II (2019) features double aspherical elements, 12 aperture blades, and 0.7m close focus - a significant upgrade from version I.
Common Issues
- Focus ring loosening
- Occasional sample variation
Buying Guide
Excellent alternative to Leica glass. Test focus accuracy on your body. Black version slightly more expensive than chrome.
Specifications
MountLeica M
Focal Length50mm
Max Aperturef/1.5
Min Aperturef/16
Aperture Blades12
Min Focus0.7m
Filter Size43mm
Weight198g
Optical Design
FormulaDouble Gauss
Elements8
Groups7
CoatingMulti-Coated
Special2 aspherical
Pricing
£400 - £550
Typical used price
Mint: ~£600
New ~£550. Remarkable value.
Adapts To
Sony ELeica SLNikon Z
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Last verified: Jan 2026Report an error