Ultra wide angle fast full frame E-mount lens
Voigtländer's latest E-mount lens is an amazing super wide angle 21mm lens with a maximum aperture of f1.4!
This is a first look article focusing on the specifications, exterior as well as initial impressions regarding the lens.
The new Voigtländer 21mm / 1:1,4 Nokton is a completely new lens in the ultra wide angle focal length.
The lens is designed using 13 elements in eleven groups. The aspherical (distortion free) design also employs a floating element to maintain consistent image quality throughout the focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity. The aspheric elements ensure distortion-free images and help to suppress chromatic aberrations. Moreover, the optical design allows a compact built despite the large maximum aperture.
The minimum focusing distance of only 25 cm in combination with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 deliver a shallow depth of field and a beautiful, soft bokeh. The aperture changes in 1/3 steps, but can also be operated step- and noiseless. The electrical contacts transfer all relevant image information as EXIF data to the camera. The focus-peaking function assists in accurate and precise focusing in difficult light.
This new Voigtländer E-mount lens is as usual very robust, manufactured completely with metal and glass. Besides its excellent workmanship, the lens stands out with its relatively low weight of only 560 grams – making it easy to carry on all photo tours.
The lens comes with a hood, reversible for easy storage.
Specifications
| Focal length | 21 mm |
| Aperture ratio | 1:1.4 |
| Minimum aperture (F) | 16 |
| selective aperture control | available |
| Lens construction | 13 elements in 11 groups |
| Angle of view | 90.8° |
| Aperture blade | 12 |
| Minimum focus | 0.25 m |
| Maximum reproduction ratio | |
| Maximum diameter | 70.5 mm |
| Length | 79.5 mm |
| Mount | E |
| Electrical contact: Exif data transfer | available |
| Manual focus assistant | available |
| Weight | 560 g |
| Filter size | 62 mm |
| Color | black |
| Others | removable Lens shade included |
Unboxing
Please click on any photo to view in a lightbox. Use arrow keys or swipe to navigate.
![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [51mm,f4,1/60s,ISO800])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E.DxPmNeC0.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [51mm,f4,1/60s,ISO800]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [51mm,f4,1/60s,ISO500])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-1.B6IL0L8Y.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [51mm,f4,1/60s,ISO500]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [49mm,f4,1/60s,ISO250])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-2.BPCcK_SH.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [49mm,f4,1/60s,ISO250]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f4,1/80s,ISO1000])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-3.lTCMTEJm.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f4,1/80s,ISO1000]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO2000])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-4.CrJEwMyw.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO2000]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO2500])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-5.q5GDGfU-.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO2500]) Lens mounted on Sony A9
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![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [59mm,f8,1/60s,ISO1600])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-6.DzRaF0bZ.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [59mm,f8,1/60s,ISO1600]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-7.CYPswdrt.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-11.CLKm2s2v.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200]) Lens mounted on Sony A6500
Please click on any photo to view in a lightbox. Use arrow keys or swipe to navigate.
![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-8.D4WulTjJ.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-9.qftfqLPM.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200]) ![Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200])](/_astro/Nokton-21mm-E-10.BMjr0kWh.jpeg)
Nokton 21mm E (SONY ILCE-7R FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS [70mm,f8,1/80s,ISO3200]) Initial Impressions
I am quite excited by this lens as it is wider than Sony's own 24mm f2 super-wide angle prime, and has a wider aperture which means better light capture and more bokeh capture opportunities.
On a full frame body, it is perfect for capturing architecture and landscape, as well as contextual street shots.
On an APS-C body, it also works as a standard fast lens, with an effective full-frame equivalent focal length of 31.5mm.
Carrying just this lens plus both full frame and APS-C bodies provides a light and flexible combination that should suit a street photographer interested in capturing the entire scene as well as points of interest.