Voigtlander NOKTON 10.5mm F0.95

[Zoom] Wide-zoom | Standard-zoom | Tele-zoom | High-zoom  
[Fixed-focal] Wide angle | Standard | Telephoto | Macro

This is a 21mm full frame equivalent ultra-wide angle lens from the Voigtlander brand. Generally speaking, the merit of using micro four thirds cameras is the compactness. But, I believe in another merit, the availability of the F0.95 lenses. This specification is so rare in 35mm full frame format and it realizes the bokeh even on the micro four thirds bodies whose sensor size are said to be a disadvantage for bokeh. Plus, it's a wide-angle lens... Can we wish for anything better?

( Photography : Z II / Text : KIMURAX )

The falloff is visible wide open, but it's not annoying at all. Instead, it dramatizes the image. This image is a bit softer than the first shot at F5.6, but it's sharp more than enough for F0.95. And, it perfectly matches the softness of the main subject.

Thanks to the ample resolution wide open, the side face pops out from the soft background. In addition, it doesn't look overly wide because the 4:3 format works to suppress the expansiveness of the background.

With the brightness, you don't have to raise sensitivity even when the sun starts to set. The strong perspective works to swallow the whole scene. Because most ultra-wide shots are pan-focused, I'm impressed by this image with the combination of bokeh and deformation.

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Sharpness dramatically increases just by stopping slightly. Superb!

The bokeh can get quirky depending on the distance to background and lighting. But, a quirk is an important element for impressive shots and I would use it actively. The depth of focus is so thin.

Open up the aperture and get close to the subject, if you want massive bokeh. And, because of the wonderful image quality even at close distance, this is a great lens to shoot macro photography as well.

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F3.5. Sharp to the corners.

The world seen with the F0.95 is fascinating even in the viewfinder. Because of the exciting ultra-wide angle and brightness, I took many shots wide open getting close to the subject. As you see, the focal plane is sharp enough wide open and it becomes much sharper by stepping down by only 1-2 steps. The brightness is a big advantage for shooting in lowlight condition. Plus, this is a manual focus lens to enjoy the time facing with subjects. Be thrilled with the brightness and angle. And, enjoy focusing.

( 03.12.2015 )