Nokton 35mm Review
The Nokton Vintage Line 35mm F1.5 Aspherical by Voigtländer has become my favourite lens on the Leica M11, and for good reason. It’s a masterful combination of stunning optical performance and tactile craftsmanship, delivering a shooting experience that’s as rewarding as the results. I initially started with the standard version, which I loved, but after some time, I couldn’t resist upgrading to the brass version. The added weight and balance elevate the ergonomics to perfection—truly, it feels like it was made to live on the M11.
In terms of image quality, this lens is a marvel. The bokeh is absolutely sublime, outclassing the Summilux 35mm in its smoothness and organic feel. It’s not just blurred—it’s painterly, adding depth and atmosphere to portraits and street shots alike. While some have mentioned a mid-frame sharpness dip, I can honestly say I’ve never noticed it. Whether shooting wide open or stopped down, the lens delivers a level of consistency that’s never left me wanting. The centre sharpness is impeccable at f/1.5, and the gradual fall-off to the edges lends a natural, almost cinematic quality to the image.
Yes, there’s some vignetting wide open, but instead of detracting, it adds to the lens’s charm and its vintage-inspired character. Flare can crop up under certain conditions, but a little attention to composition easily mitigates that. The manual focus, as with all Voigtländer lenses, is an absolute joy to use—silky smooth with just the right amount of resistance for precise control.
This lens has an undeniable magic about it, and paired with the Leica M11, it’s become an indispensable part of my photography. The brass version, in particular, has turned what was already an exceptional lens into a masterpiece. The Nokton 35mm f/1.5 Aspherical delivers the soul and character that makes photography feel truly alive, and for me, it outshines anything else in this focal range. The Summilux may have the name, but the Nokton has my heart.
Examples
Here are some recent photos I captured using the Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 35mm F1.5 lens. These shots highlight the lens’s performance across different conditions, settings, and subjects. To view the complete collection of photos taken with this lens, the link.
