Lens ReviewMorten ByskovNovember 19, 2024Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM review, Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical sample images, Voigtlander 75mm f1.5 review, Nokton 75mm f1.5 review, Nokton 75mm f1.5 sample images, Voigtlander Nokton 75mm review, Voigtlander Nokton 75mm f/1.5 VM reviewComment

Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM Review

Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog, reviewing the Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM — Testing the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical on a Leica SL2-S
Photo by: Kyle, @secondteamkyle

Short Telephoto Magic From Voigtländer?

I am on a roll with yet another Voigtländer review here. For about a year, I had the Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC. I sold it, but not because I didn’t like it. As a reviewer, I inevitably switch out lenses all the time, and some lenses are harder to let go than others.

I would say the Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC fell into this category, but alas, before a trip to a car event south of Paris, France, I suddenly found myself without any lenses longer than 50mm. I knew my friend Kyle had the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5, and he agreed to meet me so I could take his lens for a spin.

The Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 is a tad faster and larger than the Ultron 75mm f/1.9 so I was excited to see how they would compare. Both lenses are Leica M-Mount and in this review, I will use the Nokton 75mm f/1.5 adapted to a Leica SL2-S.

Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog is testing the Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical on a Leica SL2-S. — Testing the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical on a Leica SL2-S
Photo by: Kyle, @secondteamkyle

Introduction

The Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 is already a bit of an iconic lens in the Voigtländer lineup as it without scruples takes on the Leica Summilux-M 75mm f/1.4 which sells pre-owned at eBay in the $4-5,000.00 range. Another alternative could be the Leica Apo-Summicron-M 75mm f/2 retailing for $4,895.00.

Voigtländer has carved out a niche in the market offering lenses with a high build quality. While they may not always completely match Leica’s optical performance and character, they often come close at a fraction of the price.

Sadly, I have not had a chance to try the Leica lenses mentioned above. I will instead try to access comparisons to the Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC.

The Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical was released in August 2019 and at the time this review was posted the retail price was $899.00 and on sale, $100.00 off.

Let’s move on and see how I got along with it.

A black and white photo of the Vogue Theatre on Granville Street in Vancouver. Sample image from a Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM on a Leica SL2-S. — Granville Street, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical

Handling

Weighing in at 12.35 oz, 350 g, the Nokton 75mm is not that much heavier than the Ultron which weighs 10.2 oz, 290 g but it is bulkier and it is noticeable. Filter size is up from 49mm to 58mm on the f/1.5 version which shouldn’t be a surprise as it gathers more light.

The Ultron 75mm is nimble in comparison and I would have to say that I prefer the Ultron when it comes to handling and size. The focus ring was also a bit tighter than what I am used to. I am sure I would get the hang of this after a while though.

Both lenses have very smooth focus and solid build quality. The design of the Nokton appears more vintage which may or may not appeal to you. The Ultron is of a very simplistic design.

A delivery driver in downtown Vancouver. Sample image from a Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM on a Leica SL2-S. — Downtown Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical

Specs, Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical

75mm focal length
Metal construction
Aperture range: f/1.5 - f/16
7 elements in 6 groups
One aspherical element and three low-dispersion elements
12-blade diaphragm
Filter size: 58mm
Minimum focusing distance: 2.3', 70 cm
Dimensions: 2.47 x 2.49", 62.8 x 63.3 mm
Weight: 12.35 oz, 350 g

Hands-on review by Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog, of the Voigtlander Nokton 75mm f/1.5 on the Leica SL2-S — Hands-on test of the Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical
Photo by: Kyle @secondteamkyle

In Action

I mentioned above the increased bulk and size compared to the Ultron 75mm but the difference is largely insignificant in real life. Neither lens is obtrusively big to a degree where it will bog you down and the Nokton 75mm f/1.5 is indeed well balanced on my Leica SL2-S. I suspect that you may prefer the Ultron version if you use a Leica M camera.

This was a very quick test and other than the slightly tighter focus ring I have no complaints about the user experience with the Nokton 75mm f/1.5. It has a premium feel which goes well with an SL camera.

A black and white photo of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Sample image from a Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM on a Leica SL2-S. — Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical

Image Quality

In my review of the Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC I wrote that the images have a character that I find quite appealing. It borders on a vintage look when shot wide open or near wide open. It then sharpens up nicely when stopped down but does not have that clinically correct look.

Much the same can be said when it comes to the Nokton f/1.5 version. The main difference is the extra amount of bokeh and the separation from your topic you can create at f/1.5 versus f/1.9. In this brief test, I see there is truth to this but without side-by-side comparisons, I do not find the difference earth-shatteringly different.

Please click on the sample images to view sizes up to 2500 pixels depending on your monitor size or pinch zoom if on your mobile phone.

Voigtlander Nokton 75mm test on 5050 Travelog by Morten Byskov — Testing the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical on a Leica SL2-S
Photo by: Kyle, @secondteamkyle

Conclusion

Before this brief test, I was pretty certain that the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 would come in high on my wishlist. It did, however, confirm one of my concerns about a manual focus lens at this focal length.

While I find that manual focus is quite easy with my 28mm and 50mm lenses it becomes increasingly hard to nail focus quickly with a longer focal length, especially if you like to shoot your lenses wide open which results in a very narrow depth of field.

In comparison to the Ultron 75mm f/1.9 this is not a strike against the Nokton f/1.5 version. In the end, it was one of the reasons for selling the Ultron in the first place. Trying another 75mm manual focus lens merely brought the issue back to the surface again.

Kyle capturing images for 5050 Travelog — Thanks to Kyle for capturing images of me and the lens in this review. Kyle was using his Fujifilm GFX100II and GF 55mm f/1.7 R WR.

If you enjoy manual focusing and never feel pressured to work fast, the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 is a joy. I can recommend it regarding image quality and build quality, and there is an ounce of magic to have if you are patient.

If I were to get a 75mm Voigtländer lens, I would probably choose the Ultron 75mm f/1.9 MC again due to the lower price, lighter weight, and better handling. The image quality, to my eyes, is similar between the two.

I chose another route before my car event in France and decided on an autofocus lens instead. At about a third of the cost of a new Nokton 75mm f/1.5, I found a mint used Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8, and so far, it has proved to be the right decision for me. Please stay tuned for an upcoming review of the Panasonic 85mm f/1.8.

Thanks to Kyle for letting me try the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 and for making me look as good as humanly possible in the photos captured for this review.

Update: December 2024

I have now had a chance to put the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 through its paces. You can find my review of it here:

Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 - Review

Please see more sample images below.

Pros

A fast f/1.5 short telephoto lens
Great build quality
Smooth manual focus
Perfect balance (on a Leica SL camera)

Cons

No EXIF info going to the camera
Manual focusing with this focal length can be challenging

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical - B&H Photo

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