Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens Review

Looking for a fast, sharp lens that doesn’t take up much space? The Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical lens might be just what you need.

It’s the first full-frame 40mm lens in the world with a wide f/1.2 aperture, and it still fits nicely in your camera bag.

This lens is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C cameras, allowing you to use it for various photography styles, including portraits, street photography, and everyday shots.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through what makes this lens special, how it works in real situations, and whether it’s right for you.

Would you like to know if this lens is a good fit for your camera style? Keep reading.

Overview of the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens

The Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical lens is a solid choice for those seeking a fast, sharp, and compact lens. What makes it stand out is its wide f/1.2 aperture, which lets in a lot of light.

That means you can take great photos even in low light, and achieve that soft, blurry background that many people love in portraits.

This lens features manual focus, allowing you to exert more control and take the time to compose your shot. Although it’s powerful, it remains compact and easy to carry, making it ideal for travel, street photography, or everyday use.

Inside the lens, there are two aspherical elements. These special glass parts help make your photos look cleaner and sharper from edge to edge.

It also has a selective aperture control system. That means if you’re shooting video, you can change the brightness smoothly without any clicks or jumps.

One more cool thing: it works on both full-frame and APS-C cameras. On APS-C, it acts more like a 60mm lens, which is great for close-ups or portraits.

Overall, it’s a smart choice if you want quality, control, and portability in one small package.

Review of the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical Lens

The Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 gives strong image quality, even when used wide open. At f/1.2, the center is sharp enough for detailed shots. As you close the aperture a bit, sharpness and contrast improve across the whole frame.

It handles light well, but you may notice a small purple edge in bright areas. This can be fixed in editing. In low light, the lens performs really well thanks to the wide f/1.2 opening.

The bokeh (background blur) is smooth and soft, especially at f/1.2. It gives a dreamy look that works great for portraits or shots where you want your subject to stand out. The 10-blade design helps create nice round blur shapes that look clean and natural.

This lens is small but solid. It’s made of metal and glass, not plastic, so it feels sturdy in your hands. It’s a compact lens but doesn’t feel cheap.

Since it’s manual focus, you have full control. The focus ring is smooth and easy to use. For video, the stepless aperture system lets you change brightness smoothly without sudden clicks, which is great for filming.

Overall, it’s a strong, sharp, and well-built lens that’s fun to use.

How the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Compares to Other Lenses

If you’re considering the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2, it’s helpful to know how it compares to other lenses in a similar focal length range.

Here’s a quick comparison of how it stands next to the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 and the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 in key areas, including sharpness, bokeh, and ease of use.

This table gives a quick overview to help you decide. If you want a compact lens with a fast aperture and vintage feel, the Voigtländer is a great pick.

But if you prefer autofocus or a longer reach, the Sigma or Nikon might suit your style better.

Lens Compatibility and Camera Models

The Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 is a versatile lens that works well with both full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras.

On full-frame cameras, you get the full 40mm field of view. This gives you a natural look that sits between a wide and a standard lens—great for portraits, street shots, and daily use.

On APS-C cameras, the lens acts more like a 60mm lens because of the crop factor. This makes it even better for close-up shots like head-and-shoulder portraits, giving a tighter frame and more subject isolation.

The lens is made with a VM (Leica M) mount, so it fits Leica M rangefinder cameras. You can also use it on mirrorless cameras like Sony, Fujifilm, Nikon Z, and Canon RF if you have the right adapter. Many people use it on cameras like the Leica CL, Sony A7 series, or Fuji X-series with great results.

Just remember: since it’s a manual focus lens, you’ll be focusing by hand no matter what camera you use.

If you’re using a camera with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or focus peaking, you’ll find focusing easier and more accurate, especially at f/1.2.

Pros and Cons of the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2

Before deciding on this lens, it’s helpful to consider what it excels at and where it might fall short. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you weigh your options.

Pros

• Great in low light: The wide f/1.2 opening lets in a lot of light, so it works well even in darker places.
• Beautiful background blur: At f/1.2, the lens gives smooth, soft bokeh that looks amazing in portraits.
• Small size for a fast lens: Even with a wide aperture, it’s still compact and easy to carry.
• Perfect for video: The smooth aperture ring means no clicks or jumps while filming.

Cons

• Manual focus only: You have to turn the focus ring yourself. It takes more time, especially for fast action.
• A bit heavy: Heavier than other small prime lenses, so you’ll notice it after long use.
• Not cheap: It costs more than other lenses in the same range.

This lens is a great fit for those who value control, sharp images, and a soft, dreamy look. But if you need speed or autofocus, it might not be the best choice.

Absolutely! Here’s the section on best uses of the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2, broken down with simple language under each heading:

Best Uses for the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Lens

This lens is flexible and can handle many different shooting styles. Here are the top three ways it really shines.

Portrait Photography

The f/1.2 aperture lets you get beautiful, soft backgrounds that make your subject pop. This smooth background blur, also called bokeh, gives your photos a dreamy look.

The lens is sharp enough to catch fine details in the face, hair, and eyes, which is great for close-up portraits. It’s a solid pick if you love taking photos of people.

Street Photography

Thanks to its compact size and all-metal body, this lens is easy to carry around and doesn’t draw much attention.

The 40mm focal length gives you a natural point of view, which works well for capturing everyday moments. It’s also sharp enough to grab crisp shots even when things are moving.

Low-Light Performance

One of the biggest strengths of this lens is how it handles low light. The f/1.2 opening lets in a lot of light, so you can shoot indoors, at night, or in dim settings without needing a flash.

That makes it perfect for evening events, moody shots, or indoor portraits.

This lens covers a lot—from soft portraits to fast street shots—all while staying small and sharp.

Conclusion

The Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 lens offers sharp images and beautiful background blur, making it ideal for everyday photography.

As you’ve learned, its compact design and excellent low-light performance help you capture life’s special moments clearly and artistically.

Reflect on how this lens could increase your creativity and allow you to take beautiful pictures easily. Remember, practice is key, spend time experimenting to get the most out of your Voigtlander 40mm 1.2.

If you enjoyed learning about this lens, you’ll love our other articles on photography gear and tips. Check out more of our blogs today to keep learning and improving your skills!