This is a Real Life Review of the new Voigtländer 21mm f1.4 E-mount lens with a Sony A9 body, taken on a photowalk around Sydney's Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, the Star, and along several stations on the new Sydney Metro line.
This review focuses on the ability of the lens to take wide-angle architecture shots, as well as street and object photography.
Usage Impressions
The lens fits snugly and feels well balanced on a Sony A9. Focusing is easy as in most shooting conditions the depth of field is quite long, and most shots will be in focused if you leave the lens at infinity focus. The only time I found I needed to be more careful is when shooting objects at close range at maximum aperture to try and get some bokeh out of the lens.
Barangaroo
Barangoo is a good location for architecture and perspective shots, as well as simple street photography. I also stepped into a deli to take some store shelf shots, and a close up shot of cafe tables gives an indication of perspective and bokeh that this lens can render.
Please click on any photo to view in a lightbox. Use arrow keys or swipe to navigate.
![Shipwright-Walk-footbridge-perspective-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f6.3,1/250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Shipwright-Walk-footbridge-perspective-view.CUcuhlBK.jpeg)
![Shipwright-Walk-footbridge-angled-view-with-human (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/800s,ISO100])](/_astro/Shipwright-Walk-footbridge-angled-view-with-human.key_MQn4.jpeg)
![Shipwright-Walk-footbridge-angled-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/800s,ISO100])](/_astro/Shipwright-Walk-footbridge-angled-view.DyawECg8.jpeg)
![Shipwright-Walk-escalator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/125s,ISO100])](/_astro/Shipwright-Walk-escalator.DseeiHtF.jpeg)
![Shipwright-Walk-transporting-objects (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.6,1/640s,ISO100])](/_astro/Shipwright-Walk-transporting-objects.PLBQSXDx.jpeg)
![Barangaroo-Avenue-dutch-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/2000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Barangaroo-Avenue-dutch-view.BG-HZh2C.jpeg)
![Barangaroo-Avenue-upright-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/2000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Barangaroo-Avenue-upright-view.D0IFqF_7.jpeg)
![Barangaroo-Avenue-wide-dutch-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1600s,ISO100])](/_astro/Barangaroo-Avenue-wide-dutch-view.XsvXkrN9.jpeg)
![Barangaroo-Wharf (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Barangaroo-Wharf.C2OC4GxP.jpeg)
![Barangaroo-Avenue-dutch-view-with-people-walking (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Barangaroo-Avenue-dutch-view-with-people-walking.1zsgKVXY.jpeg)
![International-Towers (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/400s,ISO100])](/_astro/International-Towers.B2c7PDbK.jpeg)
![Cafe-tables-and-chairs (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/800s,ISO100])](/_astro/Cafe-tables-and-chairs.EBPnuOPq.jpeg)
![Bel-Brio-dutch-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/125s,ISO100])](/_astro/Bel-Brio-dutch-view.CV6OKANf.jpeg)
![Bel-Brio-deli (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/125s,ISO100])](/_astro/Bel-Brio-deli.ClMRmwqI.jpeg)
![Bel-Brio-store-shelf (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/100s,ISO100])](/_astro/Bel-Brio-store-shelf.BriY--gK.jpeg)
![Bel-Brio-store-display (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/100s,ISO100])](/_astro/Bel-Brio-store-display.DFwYBvCY.jpeg)
![Bel-Brio-fruit-drinks (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/200s,ISO100])](/_astro/Bel-Brio-fruit-drinks.CyRmC8qH.jpeg)
![Bel-Brio-shelf-display (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/30s,ISO125])](/_astro/Bel-Brio-shelf-display.6CA2bn6U.jpeg)
![Bel-Brio-cake-slices (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Bel-Brio-cake-slices.CxeNBcJj.jpeg)
![Title-book-display (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO250])](/_astro/Title-book-display.C-YjGB2a.jpeg)
![Title-CD-display-with-person (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/125s,ISO100])](/_astro/Title-CD-display-with-person.t38xW-SJ.jpeg)
![Sculpture-outside-1-Shelley-St (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/100s,ISO100])](/_astro/Sculpture-outside-1-Shelley-St.q6NwRgE7.jpeg)
![Sculpture-outside-1-Shelley-St-1 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/80s,ISO100])](/_astro/Sculpture-outside-1-Shelley-St-1.CfPvavpV.jpeg)
![1-Shelley-St-detail-of-ground-floor (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/500s,ISO100])](/_astro/1-Shelley-St-detail-of-ground-floor.CzXqmK95.jpeg)
![1-Shelley-St-upwards-perspective-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/10000s,ISO100])](/_astro/1-Shelley-St-upwards-perspective-view.Dovco2Uz.jpeg)
![1-Shelley-St-dutch-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/10000s,ISO100])](/_astro/1-Shelley-St-dutch-view.Cdr3W_AP.jpeg)
![Barangaroo (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1600s,ISO100])](/_astro/Barangaroo.BN_R_AgW.jpeg)
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is great for capturing marine shots including boats and water, but also sculptures around the National Maritime Museum. The Marina was empty because the Sydney Boat Show was being held in the next few days.
Please click on any photo to view in a lightbox. Use arrow keys or swipe to navigate.
![Paddleboat (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/12800s,ISO100])](/_astro/Paddleboat.DJwfcBd7.jpeg)
![Water-taxi (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/640s,ISO100])](/_astro/Water-taxi.B-s5TM8H.jpeg)
![Iron-spikes (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/8000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Iron-spikes.Bfs_8iOU.jpeg)
![Cockle-Bay-Marina-view-from-Pyrmont-Bridge (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Cockle-Bay-Marina-view-from-Pyrmont-Bridge.BAVONz7C.jpeg)
![Cockle-Bay-Marina-angled-view-with-boat (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Cockle-Bay-Marina-angled-view-with-boat.BugIqZV1.jpeg)
![Cockle-Bay-Marina-angled-view (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1600s,ISO100])](/_astro/Cockle-Bay-Marina-angled-view.Dy-2TD7f.jpeg)
![Harbourside-and-Sofitel (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Harbourside-and-Sofitel.B_Zdqf6S.jpeg)
![22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.8,1/16000s,ISO100])](/_astro/22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum.CkM-MJPV.jpeg)
![22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum-1 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/10000s,ISO100])](/_astro/22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum-1.Bg5pasnJ.jpeg)
![22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum-2 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1000s,ISO100])](/_astro/22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum-2.BiBg9pe4.jpeg)
![22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum-3 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1000s,ISO100])](/_astro/22Downward-Force-On-Upward-Moving-Objects22-Wang-Yulan-Sculpture-National-Maritime-Museum-3.4rXBKIA2.jpeg)
![John-Louis (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1000s,ISO100])](/_astro/John-Louis.C3FCJ7DH.jpeg)
![John-Louis-1 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/2500s,ISO100])](/_astro/John-Louis-1.C3_sCRsX.jpeg)
![Endeavour (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Endeavour.BSSU7qPL.jpeg)
![Pigeon (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/8000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Pigeon.-AfdfRHx.jpeg)
![Pemulwuy (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Pemulwuy.2iEhOszA.jpeg)
![Capenteria (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/2000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Capenteria.DahpsT3J.jpeg)
![James-Craig (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/800s,ISO100])](/_astro/James-Craig.DVbMW79L.jpeg)
![James-Craig-1 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1600s,ISO100])](/_astro/James-Craig-1.Cs5kxJW2.jpeg)
![Pemulwuy-1 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/2000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Pemulwuy-1.Dxg_f2dW.jpeg)
![Water-taxi-1 (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1000s,ISO100])](/_astro/Water-taxi-1.CwfbQaKx.jpeg)
![Pyrmont-Bay-marina (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1600s,ISO100])](/_astro/Pyrmont-Bay-marina.C2d6Kvza.jpeg)
![National-Maritime-Museum-from-Pyrmont-Bridge (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/800s,ISO100])](/_astro/National-Maritime-Museum-from-Pyrmont-Bridge.DKqsb3NN.jpeg)
The Star
The Star is a good location for relatively low light indoor images. The len's maximum aperture of f1.4 comes in very useful in these situations.
Please click on any photo to view in a lightbox. Use arrow keys or swipe to navigate.
![The-Star-entrance (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/640s,ISO100])](/_astro/The-Star-entrance.Cd0kmvYN.jpeg)
![The-Star-interior (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/100s,ISO100])](/_astro/The-Star-interior.DD5zp-wP.jpeg)
![Black-Bar (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO125])](/_astro/Black-Bar.5YUIScEP.jpeg)
![Red-Ferrari (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/60s,ISO100])](/_astro/Red-Ferrari.BUoLg8Xp.jpeg)
![Pink-bag (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/250s,ISO100])](/_astro/Pink-bag.CU-h7A6g.jpeg)
![Moda-Emporio (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/80s,ISO100])](/_astro/Moda-Emporio.D2suvzsL.jpeg)
![Flying-Fish (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/80s,ISO100])](/_astro/Flying-Fish.DOk3VyQx.jpeg)
![The-Grand-Foyer (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/100s,ISO100])](/_astro/The-Grand-Foyer.BykaMDv-.jpeg)
Sydney Metro stations (Castle Hill to Cherrybrook)
Please click on any photo to view in a lightbox. Use arrow keys or swipe to navigate.
![Norwest Station, exterior (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1250.0000315796121s,ISO100])](/_astro/Norwest-Station-exterior.CFloxDWV.jpeg)
![Norwest Station, interior with people (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/400s,ISO100])](/_astro/Norwest-Station-interior-with-people.j_QFYGer.jpeg)
![Norwest Station, escalator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/249.9999881250668s,ISO100])](/_astro/Norwest-Station-escalator.sQADRAvZ.jpeg)
![Norwest Station, platform (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/160s,ISO100])](/_astro/Norwest-Station-platform.CrAyHCRA.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, escalator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO160])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-escalator.C_KPZ-TI.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, skylight (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/249.9999881250668s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-skylight.C21Z5v43.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, skylight (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f2.8,1/249.9999881250668s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-skylight-1.DOMWk5qe.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, skylight (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f2.8,1/80s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-skylight-2.nI3fY9iJ.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, escalator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/80s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-escalator-1.B486Gm-d.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, roof (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/320s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-roof.CJ0oGShu.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, Sydney Metro sign and roof (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/320s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-Sydney-Metro-sign-and-roof.BmuP8c5e.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, exterior with sign (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/800.0000178823698s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-exterior-with-sign.MsthWN0Q.jpeg)
![Hills Showground Station, exterior (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/800.0000178823698s,ISO100])](/_astro/Hills-Showground-Station-exterior.eoHAkc4C.jpeg)
![Castle Hill Station, elevator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO250])](/_astro/Castle-Hill-Station-elevator.PaXXQr18.jpeg)
![Castle Hill Station, elevator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO200])](/_astro/Castle-Hill-Station-elevator-1.B7Ap7ur6.jpeg)
![Castle Hill Station, elevator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO800])](/_astro/Castle-Hill-Station-elevator-2.CLiYIl5p.jpeg)
![Castle Hill Station, escalator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO400])](/_astro/Castle-Hill-Station-escalator.BMdY0YO9.jpeg)
![Castle Hill Station, escalator (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/30s,ISO250])](/_astro/Castle-Hill-Station-escalator-1.DqDdVazn.jpeg)
![Castle Hill Station, Caution (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/60s,ISO100])](/_astro/Castle-Hill-Station-Caution.LItyuphi.jpeg)
![Castle Hill Station, lifts (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f1.4,1/30s,ISO125])](/_astro/Castle-Hill-Station-lifts.D_rJZjmI.jpeg)
![Cherrybrook Station, rosetta (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/1600.0000357679378s,ISO100])](/_astro/Cherrybrook-Station-rosetta.JX7737Eh.jpeg)
![Cherrybrook Station, stairs (SONY ILCE-9 Voigtlander NOKTON 21mm F1.4 Aspherical [21mm,f4,1/320s,ISO100])](/_astro/Cherrybrook-Station-stairs.CU0fx0rq.jpeg)
The new Sydney Metro stations from Castle Hill to Cherrybrook are great locations to take low light architecture wide angle photos, and once again plays to the len's strengths.