Hannes from Dealsrunner (Thanks!) spotted the price for the new Voigtlander Nokton 10,5mm f/0.95 Micro Four Thirds lens. It costs 1199 Euro in Germany! And two weeks ago on Facebook Voigtlander confirmed the new will ship in Q1/Q2.
P.S.: In US the lens is listed at BHphoto (Click here).
71 Responses
Too expensive !!!
Way too expensive!
Are you saying it’s overpriced or are you saying that you can’t afford it? I’m just asking – because if you compare it to other lenses in its class (not that there are many) even compared to other camera systems, it’s priced where you would expect it to be.
I’m definitely saying it’s overpriced. But don’t worry they will figure this out in the end when almost nobody will buy their soft and super expensive manual focus lenses.
I’m not worried.
“Almost nobody buys their lenses” at this price only a few percent of consumers will buy them. But it will be enough.
This is their newest lens (their 4th I believe) since they joined the MFT group 5 years ago. They also make M-mount and S-mount lenses, and Voigtlander have been making optics since the 18th century. If nobody buys their lenses, I’m confused as to why they’re still in business.
Voigtlander doesn’t make these lenses. The Japanese company Cosina has licensed the brand name. Not that it matters from a quality standpoint, but these aren’t ‘true’ Voigtlander lenses anymore than the PixPro S-1 is a ‘true’ Kodak camera.
I believe that Cosina makes some Zeiss lenses, as well. Probably the rangefinder ZM-series.
According to Wikipedia, yes. Zeiss is also a well regarded brand of optics.
Really? Can you tell us more? I think I heard that name already…
I am pointing out that Cosina make both Vigtlander and Zeiss, which ar both well regarded. This is in response to Eno claiming the Voigtlander lens isn’t worth the money and Seagull hinting that Cosina aren’t worthy of the Voigtlander brand. The fact that you think I’m claiming to make everyone suddenly aware of Zeiss, means that you have completely missed my point, and are in fact making a fool of yourself.
True. Sometimes companies buy a brand, sometimes they buy more than that. I have no internal knowledge of the buy-out/merger of Voigtlander and Cosina, but it’s possible patents, manufacturing techniques and even expertise were part of that brand purchase. After all, these are still considered among the best lenses by many many photographers, regardless of the personal opinions of those who can’t afford them or don’t want them.
I too think they did a fine move with their noktons… mft was an uncharted land and panasonic and olympus had to be busy creating everything from low to high budget, prime to zoom to super zoom… Voigtländer are challenging the DOF argument of bigger sensors while beeing the first to create a really unique set of primes specifically designed for mft.. looking back I´d say Voigtländer was 40% the reason I bought the GH3…
Cosina took a real chance back in 2010 releasing the original Voigtländer Nokton 25mm for the relatively untested M4/3 system. But clearly it sold well… the first run sold out quickly… or well enough to warrant designing and releasing 4 more f0.95 lenses (2 versions of the 25mm).
The 25mm Nokton was a big reason I bought into M4/3 with a GH2. The Nokton 25mm and the 7-14mm were the two lenses I bought first.
(whistles) Way beyond my budget, but I bet it’s a stunning lens. I might get one if it makes business sense at some point, but by then, there may be cheaper alternatives. It’s not that I don’t understand the price (especially with EU taxes) and corresponding lenses for DLSR are equally (if not more) expensive, but I’m a hobbyist generating little revenue at this point. To those of ou who buy it, congratulations, I’m truly jealous 🙂
No. The equivalent Nikkor 20/1.8 is way cheaper. Babble on about “business sense” if you wish.
Who are you, my bank manager?
How is it “babbling” when I use MFT and might find a use for a wide angle 0,95 lens? Do you think it’s good business sense to switch to Nikkor compatible system when I’m well invested in MFT? Talk about babbling! I know what I can afford, I decide when it’s a good purchase for me.
You decide whatever you want, you are free to do so. And I am free to say you made a dumb decision, or to suspect you are a paid shill.
I think you need to look up “babbling” because it implies that I am not considering the logical economical and technical factors at hand.
As for what I’m paid, I already said that I’m a hobbyist, photography is not my main source of income, which is why it would not be sound to buy the lens at this point. I need to invest in what puts food on the table and a roof over my head. I don’t measure the value of myself or others in “things”. Neither should you.
Speaking of business sense: is it even possible to get a new Nikon DSLR body capable of taking advantage of such a lens for less than the cost of the Voigtlander?
This is the worst price / quality ratio system ever, and it keeps getting worse.
As expected. My Panny 7-14mm looks very valuable to me right now! LOL!
not F/0,95 though.
At that price, please show it with the hood…..that makes it sexy AND expensive.
i would just get samyan 12mm F2 on apsc for 25% of t his price and it is wider
1200€ is too expensive for my liking too, but 18mm f3 equivalent is quite different to 21mm f1.9 isn’t it?
How is 12mm wider than 10.5 mm? You are at a 4/3 website. This is a MFT lens. For a MFT camera? I would have to buy a APSC camera body ???…and.. …switch systems for the Sam Yang to be wider.? That would be a lot more expensive than buying the Nokton. Perhaps you are on the wrong website?
for that price you could buy the samyang and apsc body say sony a6000
This is a MFT website..not Sony?
So? The whole point of this lens is it’s wide and has F0.95 aperture. That is more then 2 stops difference.
The Sam Yang is not nearly as fast or built as well either.
800 euros too much.
But your comment is priceless !
Wow, not cheap, but I think worth every penny. I use my Voigtlander 25mm for paid filming gigs and it’s worth it for the unique look and light gathering when you really need it. It is a joy to use. So much pleasure manual focussing for photos too.
This 10.5mm will be perfect for establishing shots, Glidecam work (especially in low light), slider work, and given minimum focus distance it will offer some unique composition options too.
I will start saving and hope it creeps towards 1000 euros over time.
I would have bet on 1000 euros price tag. 1100 euros just for the early adopters. But I understand its price if quality matches it, as on 17.5mm.
Perhaps one day I’ll consider it, but for the moment I’ll wait for the 7-14 f2.8. And maybe the M mount 21mm Nokton..
Yeah, expensive, and I can’t see myself buying it any time soon, but I wouldn’t say too expensive. Although, at that price, I would rather want to see a full-featured system lens including AF and, even more significantly, an electronically controlled diaphragm.
Then again, the 10mm wide-angle is the one Voigtländer M43 lens I’d most easily make do without AF.
Me too. I would rather have AF and f/2 instead of MF and f/0.95.
AF, focussing of big glass, is rather difficult with such a big high quality optic lens.
True. But not impossible. Ok, to make a decently fast autofocusable version of the lens, it would possibly require an even more complex optical design, minimizing the mass of the movable elements… Then again, that’s what Voigtländer/Cosina is good at, designing optically complex lenses 🙂 It’s just that they don’t tackle AF yet…
Can’t consider buying it, but to me it’s a normal price for such a superlative lens. But people here are constantly whining on prices…
That’s not all…the cry about EVERYTHING! …right down to the strap lugs! LOL!
WHAH!
Yeah…that’s the same vending machine that you got your brain out of…only it was cheaper than your suggested price for the Nokton! 🙂
Is it superlative? Have you tried it?
You know those vending machines, that you can buy those crappy, plastic toys from? This lens belongs in such a machine. 1199 Euro is 1198 Euro above the appropriate price!
Ummmmmm….Yeah…that’s the same vending machine that you got your brain out of…only it was cheaper than your suggested price for the Nokton! 🙂
Nearly twice a smuch than th eNikon 20 F /1.8. Bound to have lots of aberrations given the aperture. No autofocus. These absurd lenses are where real formats really outprice and outvalue m43.
The Nikon is a lovely lens, but this is a different beast. It’s all metal, all manual, click-less aperture, 10 straight aperture blades, and most importantly it’s the first of its kind in m43. 1200 euro is RRP too so it will likely sell for less.
I think 42.5 Nokton launched at 1200 EUR as well, and it now sells for 200 less. It’s probably gonna be the same with this one, once initial demand is met. But it might take some time, since this is one of a kind lens in MFT. The only way to get an equivalent would be to switch to full frame dslr, as only those systems offer an alternative.
The system is still missing a fast compact UWA prime at a reasonable price. Let’s say 8mm f2.8 sharp, filter thread, 700 euro
Excellent Focal length and speed for the GH4. This is almost a must have lens. Now give us one more, even wider Voitlander. 7mm F/.95
This lens is probably pretty sweet. But, when taking into account the downward spiral and uncertainty of the camera industry one has to wonder if making high end products for a limited market is a good strategy. I am not saying I know the answer to that but if I were a new buyer interested in getting a camera system I would definitely be taking e near future into consideration and be spending my cash more thoughtfully Unless money was no object to me.
Money usually is no object for photography enthusiasts. We are all doctors, lawyers, movie stars and professional golfers.
and grocery clerks that spend too much on gear…
Actually, when market crashes and burns, making high end, high quality, even luxurious items is the best way to survive and prosper (if you have the brand that is).
And that is what happens in the camera market right now. 50-60% year-on-year declines in compact camera sales, 20-30% for dslrs, near flat for mirrorless. That tells you that there are less and less new buyers, despite very affordable entry-level options. But when you try to sell your stuff cheap, you need to sell that in huge amounts to make a profit. And you just can’t expect to do that with declines like that.
So I’d say it’s a good strategy. That’s also the reason Olympus pretty much cut off the Pen line, leaving only the fashionable, selfie friendly E-PL7 (probably the last of its breed). That’s why they concentrate on Pro lenses and OM-D line (which consists of 2 professional grade cameras and one consumer grade proposition).
And for camera companies, enthusiasts is where the money is. You know, people that treat photography as a hobby, and are willing to spend serious cash on it. People that actually buy lenses. And some of whom are struck by G.A.S., which probably helps 🙂
E-M5 is not professional grade by any means. It’s an enthusiast camera, sitting inbetween the consumer grade and the professional grade. Call it prosumer or semi-pro, but it’s not a fully professional grade tool.
Than be it a semi-pro or prosumer. It’s clearly plays in another league than E-PL7 or E-M10 is my point.
That must be some very dumb enthusiast… Or maybe only very little enthused.
I do understand this logic and I think it is probably going to be the trend. but, there is also a point when even enthusiasts recognize steep prices vs good enough. I have played guitar for quite a long time and would never dream about purchasing a Collings. Though I really do appreciate the craftsmanship.
I know what you mean. And I do hope that manufacturers won’t be tempted by the prospects of whale hunting (‘whales’ being wealthy users who don’t pull back on expenses) and that they will recognise the needs and wants of less hardcore enthusiasts.
Frankly, I consider the Micro 4/3 system to be quite expensive already and I just don’t think this will change. But that’s from my perspective (a hobbyist).
If you look at it from the perspective of a working professional, that’s a bit different story. E-M1 + existing Pro lenses is $3500 and that covers 24-300 (equivalent) focal range at constant aperture and fantastic image quality. That’s slightly more than just a body of a prosumer full frame camera. So not bad. That is of course assuming MFT meets your needs. Coz if you really need a full frame, you’ll have no choice but to spend a lot more.
The thing is, it’s not only the camera market that changes. Photography market changes as well. Photographers are laid off left and right, the “good enough” mindset has it’s outlet in huge stock photography agencies. It kinda looks like an onset of race to the bottom. So photographers have it harder and harder every year. That will impact the camera industry to some degree. I can see that in such a downward market, a system like Micro 4/3, with it’s relatively low cost of entry, may actually have an edge. But Olympus needs to solve their video problem and hopefully that will be done with the launch of E-M5II.
Don’t know where you’re looking; the bar charts are confusing so look at the pies. Yes sales to America have declined, it is no longer the major market, so now Europe:Asia/Japan:America: stand at :36:30:28
The smaller M43 sell well in France where they love the PM and especially the GM. The larger ones, the G/GH and OM-D do well in Germany. Both size ranges in Britain. In fact they sell so well in Europe that we’re out-stripping the factories’ capabilities to make them; stuff on back-order.
Yes cameras need cash. Western Europe is prosperous and enthusiasts have cash.
Apart from the selfie-cam, the E-PL7 is a pretty good little camera: I do not see Olympus ceasing production of the Pen, Pen-Lite or even the Pen-Mini any time soon.
Do not believe any american distributor stating that an item is discontinued, I have seen this before, what it means is that the distributor has financial problems and cannot pay their last bill, so they can’t get any more until they cough up.
You know, I was actually wondering what’s up with Pens. I could still get E-PL1/P1/PM1 and few other older models from a few retailers here. Where do those cameras come from? I mean, Olympus only sells P5 and PL7/6, and PL5 dual kits in some countries. And no PM model at all. That’s it. Yet, you could still buy antique models from the very beginning of the MFT system. Are those still manufactured, or is this unsold stock that’s still clogging up the warehouses?
Ouch. Not a surprise, though.
If the 1:1 Euro to Dollar thing is in play (as usual), then the 10.5mm is only $50€ more than the 17.5mm. Expensive, yes, but not insane.
I love my Voigtländers, but I’m on the fence with this one, because I’d prefer something wider (like the Kowa 8.5mm f2.8) AND because of the upcoming Oly 7-14mm f2.8. I’m a light zoom user (7-14mm and 100-300mm), but shooting with an ultra-wide, like my current 7-14mm f4, I really appreciate the flexibility of a zoom lens.
The Oly is ticking more boxes than the 10.5m at this point. Still, I love the flexibility of shooting with fast lenses and the Voigts’ rendering is just plain gorgeous.
The three lenses you’ve talked about are my choices too. I have also considered the 10mm SLR Magic lens. I basically want an UWA for night/ milky way photography with a foreground included in the picture. Already have the 12-40 f2.8 Pro, so I’d prefer something wider… I wonder which of these 4 lenses will fit the bill.
Where are they made?
Voigtlander is Cosina is German. Europe is a far bigger camera market than America.
So no idea how they get to sell across the pond for less than they do at home.
Just how wide can you go before the picture looks like it was taken from the inside of the goldfish bowl?
The Voigtländers are handmade by Cosina in Japan.
I checked DOF calculator and 10,5mm @ f/0.95
Focus at the hyperfocal distance, 7.36 m
Depth of field extends from 3.68 m to infinity
do we need AF to move in & out ?
Beginners often use these ultrawide lenses to shoot “landscapes” (hopefully stopped down) with focus at infinity. That does not require autofocus.
However, there are more interesting things you can do, and they often involve getting very very close. So yes, autofocus might help. You can also focus manually and zoom in with live view or the viewfinder.
and “focus peaking” makes manual lenses far more attractive these days.
The rampant fear of manual focus is rather amusing, don’t you think?
Peaking is okay. I find it as a rough indicator of almost in focus, but magnified view lets me nail it.
FP is just an assistant, but it helps you get 95% of the way, which saves time.
6mm .95 please.