Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4 set to launch in Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts

Voigtländer has announced new versions of its Nokton 35mm f/1.4 lens for Canon RF and Nikon Z mirrorless cameras.

Previously available only in Sony E mount, the manual focus prime is aimed at photographers who value character and personality in their images over clinical sharpness.

The lens is designed to deliver a more traditional rendering style, complete with some of the subtle imperfections that many photographers associate with classic film-era optics.

The full-frame lens features an optical formula comprising eight elements in six groups, along with a 10-blade aperture diaphragm. High-refractive-index glass is used to help maintain image quality, but Voigtländer has intentionally left certain aberrations partially uncorrected to preserve the distinctive look that has become a hallmark of the Nokton Classic range.

With its versatile 35mm focal length and bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, the lens should be well suited to street photography, travel, documentary work and environmental portraiture. The fast aperture also provides greater flexibility in low-light situations while allowing photographers to create shallow depth of field effects.

As with other Voigtländer lenses, focusing is entirely manual. However, the new RF and Z mount versions include electronic contacts, allowing communication with compatible camera bodies. This enables features such as EXIF data recording, focus magnification assistance, in-body image stabilisation support and lens correction profiles.

The lens can focus as close as 27cm, delivering a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.47. That is slightly closer than the existing Sony E-mount version, which has a minimum focusing distance of 30cm.

While the optical design remains unchanged, the Canon RF and Nikon Z versions feature slightly different styling. The Nikon Z model retains the classic scalloped focus ring seen on the Sony E-mount version, while the Canon RF lens adopts a more contemporary diamond-pattern knurled focus ring.

The RF version measures 37.6mm in length and weighs 260g, while the Z mount model is slightly longer at 41.6mm and weighs 250g.

Voigtländer says the new lenses will go on sale next month with a recommended retail price of 99,000 yen, which converts to roughly AU$1,000 at current exchange rates. Australian pricing and local availability have yet to be confirmed.

The Sony E-mount version, first introduced in 2017, launched with a US$799 recommended retail price and remains available today.