Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical for Canon RF Mount by Cosina Announced

Lens News

by Reuben EvansDecember 21^st, 2023

Voigtlander introduces a fast, versatile 40mm lens in the Canon RF mount that might be perfect for video productions looking for a classic look. The new 40mm features a switchable aperture ring for clickless operation. The fully manual focus ring enables precise, repeatable focusing. The 10-element aperture delivers silky, circular bokeh. Let’s take a closer look!

Voigtlander has a reputation for producing well-made lenses. The fully metal body of the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical for Canon RF mount should deliver a solid feel in the hand and smooth operation. The body itself looks a bit different from the Sony E-mount version. Cosina included contacts for lens communication through the RF mount. These contacts deliver Exif information and focus support functions for magnification, peaking, and focus guides.

The 40mm focal length works well for medium shots on full-frame cameras. And f/1.2 is quite fast for a 40mm lens. On crop-sensor cameras, users will get a 60mm equivalent. This provides a nice option to crop into a close-up when using high-resolution camera bodies. Witness marks appear on the top of the lens for easier operation when the lens is below you. However, these marks would be difficult to see if the camera is on a shoulder rig or an eye-level tripod.

Voigtlander’s look

While this article isn’t a hands-on review, it would be good to note that Voigtlander’s lenses tend to have a “classic” look to them. Wide open, they have a reputation for a dreamy look. It isn’t until you stop down that you get sharpness that resembles modern lens designs. So potential buyers should make sure that the aesthetic matches their creative goals. There’s a great Reddit thread about the history, as well as the pros and cons of the 40mm focal length, with some shooters landing on the Voigtlander as the lens that “lives” on their camera.

Price and availability

As this article is being written, the pricing and release date haven’t been released yet. We will keep you updated. For more information please visit Cosina’s website.

What do you think of the new Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm lens? Do you find the combination of a classic look and a fast aperture on 40mm attractive? Let us know in the comments below!