Voigtlander Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.0 Aspherical Lens Review

The Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.0 is a lens that leads with one number: f/1.0. That's a full stop faster than the common f/1.4 primes, and it puts this lens in the 98th percentile for aperture. It's a manual focus, full-frame prime for Nikon Z mount that weighs in at a solid 590 grams. Its design is compact and retro, which is a big part of its charm.

This isn't a do-everything lens. Its scores tell a clear story: it's a specialist. It's best for portrait work, scoring an 89.5 out of 100, but it's weakest for travel at a 31.5. That makes sense when you consider it's manual focus only, has no stabilization, and isn't weather-sealed. You're buying it for one specific, brilliant thing.

Performance is all about that f/1.0 aperture. It's not just a number on the spec sheet. It translates to a bokeh quality that sits in the 99th percentile. That means creamy, dreamy, out-of-focus backgrounds that are hard to beat. The 12-blade diaphragm helps keep those bokeh balls looking nice even when you stop down a bit.

Now, the trade-offs. Its overall optical score is in the 57th percentile. So while the character wide open might be gorgeous, don't expect it to be the sharpest tool corner-to-corner at f/1.0 compared to modern autofocus designs. And with manual focus only (48th percentile) and no stabilization (41st percentile), you're trading convenience for that unique look. It demands a more deliberate shooting style.

At $1699, this lens isn't cheap. You're paying a premium for that f/1.0 aperture and the Voigtlander character. There are many fantastic 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 autofocus lenses for Nikon Z that cost significantly less. This lens's value proposition is entirely about whether you specifically want that f/1.0 look and are willing to forgo autofocus and stabilization to get it. For the right shooter, it's worth every penny. For someone who needs speed and convenience, it's a hard sell.

Let's compare it to some competitors. The Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro is an autofocus lens that's also sharp and much cheaper, but it's 'only' f/1.8. You lose over a stop of light and that ultra-shallow depth of field. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is another fast, affordable AF option, but it's a different focal length. The Panasonic 14-140mm is the polar opposite: a super zoom that's all about versatility (which this Voigtlander scores 39th percentile on) but slow at f/3.5-5.6. The Voigtlander doesn't compete on features or price. It competes on pure, unadulterated optical character at f/1.0, and in that niche, it stands alone.

This is a recommendation with a big 'if'. If you're a portrait shooter who loves manual focus, values beautiful bokeh (99th percentile) above razor-sharp corner detail, and has been dreaming of an f/1.0 lens for your Nikon Z camera, the Voigtlander Nokton is a fantastic, characterful choice. Its f/1.0 aperture is the real deal. But if you need autofocus, stabilization, weather sealing, or a lens for travel, look elsewhere. This lens knows exactly what it is, and it does that one thing brilliantly.