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Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic vs Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH

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Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Standard Prime | Leica M

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic
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Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH

Standard Prime | Leica M

Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH
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Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic vs Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic for the M Mount and the Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH for the M Mount, two Standard Prime lenses from Voigtlander and Leica.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic Key Specs

  • 40mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 175g.
  • Diameter: 55mm
  • Length: 30mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m

Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 39mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 300g.
  • Diameter: 53mm
  • Length: 47mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.088x

What type of photography are the Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic and Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic and the Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsFairAverage
PortraitGoodExcellent
TravelAverageGood
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingGoodExcellent
Walk AroundAverageGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood


Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH is the longer of the two lenses at 47mm. The Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic with a length of 30mm, is 17mm shorter. On the other hand, the Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic has a larger diameter of 55mm compared to the Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH's 53mm diameter.

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic weighs 175g, which means it is 125g (41%) lighter than the Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH which has a weight of 300g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Standard Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 Lens Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2
44mm
53mm 240g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 35mm F2.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summarit-M 35mm F2.4 ASPH
34mm
52mm 197g Amazon B&H Photo
7artisans 50mm F1.1 Lens 7artisans 50mm F1.1
49mm
60mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 50mm f2.5 Lens Leica Summarit-M 50mm f2.5
33mm
52mm 230g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 50mm F2.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summarit-M 50mm F2.4 ASPH
33mm
52mm 105g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f0.95 ASPH Lens Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f0.95 ASPH
75mm
73mm 700g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 50mm F1.1 Nokton Lens Voigtlander 50mm F1.1
57mm
70mm 428g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH
53mm
54mm 335g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic and the Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH has the same Leica M lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica M lenses are Leica M11 Monochrome, Leica M11 and Leica M10.

Focal Range

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 40mm. Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm.

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic over Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH

Focal Length - Wide 40mm vs 50mm 10mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 2 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 2 Wider aperture at tele end
Weight 175g vs 300g 125g lighter
Length 30mm vs 47mm 17mm shorter

Reasons to choose Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH over Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Focal Length - Tele 50mm vs 40mm 10mm more Tele coverage
Diaphragm Blades 11 vs 10 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Diameter 53mm vs 55mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Max Magnification 0.088x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic and Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic and Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust




**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic vs Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Voigtlander Leica
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 40mm 50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour - -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F2.0
Min Aperture F16.0 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 10 11
Optics
Optical Elements 7 8
Optical Groups 6 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.7m 0.7m
Max Magnification - 0.088X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 175g 300g
Diameter 55mm 53mm
Length 30mm 47mm
Materials - metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread - 39mm
Filter Notes - Inner-threaded for screw-in filters
Hood Supplied No Yes
Hood Code LH-6 -
Tripod Collar No No
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