This lens performs very well, even below f/1.7. Chromatic aberration is not negligible full open, but that is of course easily correctable (if you care more about CA than speed, check out the 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar of course). It renders a rather dreamy image at f/1.2 but stopped down to something actually sane gets great results thanks to the aspherical design. This is prime portrait glass material, the rendering is reminiscent of my favorite Nikkors but with vastly smoother and more modern ergonomics (though I do miss heptagonal/hexagonal bokeh!). My only complaint about the 40mm & 50mm Noktons is that they are a little chunky for me in the hand, compared to the 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar, but that I assume is simply the price of speed. They're all quite a bit smaller ... MoreThis lens performs very well, even below f/1.7. Chromatic aberration is not negligible full open, but that is of course easily correctable (if you care more about CA than speed, check out the 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar of course). It renders a rather dreamy image at f/1.2 but stopped down to something actually sane gets great results thanks to the aspherical design. This is prime portrait glass material, the rendering is reminiscent of my favorite Nikkors but with vastly smoother and more modern ergonomics (though I do miss heptagonal/hexagonal bokeh!). My only complaint about the 40mm & 50mm Noktons is that they are a little chunky for me in the hand, compared to the 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar, but that I assume is simply the price of speed. They're all quite a bit smaller than the 65mm APO-Lanthar and a lot of modern fast lenses, so it's barely a complaint.My primary use case is for interior fixed-angle video for multi-cam recording. Having this kind of speed when you need it can absolutely save a dark or poorly lit shot in terms of cutting back ISO when you have no other options!Some example shots straight out the camera (no correction) below, f/1.2 to f/1.6.

My Leica 50mm f/2.0 Summicron was purchased new decades ago, and it's produced some great sharp images over the years. However, a faster 50 has always intrigued me and I've been very pleased with other Voigtlander lenses in my collection and so I purchased their f/1.1 but was greatly disappointed in its image quality, even stopped down considerably, and so I sold it. I've read great things about its slightly smaller successor and so took the plunge again. As soon as it arrived I did a comparison test between my Summicron and this new Nokton, using my standard test subject (stuffed animal on a bookshelf flanked by books with titles showing on bindings) and a well-grounded tripod. Starting at the same f/2.0 aperture, I was shocked that the Nokton's central sharpness ... MoreMy Leica 50mm f/2.0 Summicron was purchased new decades ago, and it's produced some great sharp images over the years. However, a faster 50 has always intrigued me and I've been very pleased with other Voigtlander lenses in my collection and so I purchased their f/1.1 but was greatly disappointed in its image quality, even stopped down considerably, and so I sold it. I've read great things about its slightly smaller successor and so took the plunge again. As soon as it arrived I did a comparison test between my Summicron and this new Nokton, using my standard test subject (stuffed animal on a bookshelf flanked by books with titles showing on bindings) and a well-grounded tripod. Starting at the same f/2.0 aperture, I was shocked that the Nokton's central sharpness was actually a tad better with better contrast. Edge sharpness was very good, even at f/2.0. I then cranked it fully open to f/1.2 and was amazed that the central sharpness was still there and the edges were quite good as well. When the aperture was gradually closed down to f/22 there was absolutely no focus shift along the way and image quality actually improved a bit to f/8-11. Voigtlander has gotten it right this time. As usual for Voigtlander, its nearly all-metal construction is top notch, and the aperture stops are positive and the focusing ring broad and scalloped and operates smoothly. As should be obvious by now, I couldn't be happier with the quality of construction and performance of this lens. This one is definitely a keeper.

Ive been looking for a 50mm wide aperture lens for my Leica bodies. I had settled on a used Summilux 50mm but when Voigtlander announced their new 50mm f1.2 ASPH I decided to research that lens. Reviews were very good and the performance wide open was excellent. At f1.2 its a half stop faster than the Summilux at half the price of a used one. After using it for a month I find the lens outstanding. I mostly use Leica glass but this lens stays on a Leica body always. Very sharp, minimal vignetting wide open (use the f 1.2 Noctilux profile), no barrel distortion, and have not detected any color fringing so far. Beautiful Bokeh with a pleasing background. I cant say enough good things about this fantastic lens.