Voigtländer APO-LANTHAR 50mm F2 Aspherical II (Nikon Z)

With the same optical formula, the II performs like the original: testers rank it among the sharpest standard lenses on Nikon Z, with near-perfect colour correction from f/2 into the corners, negligible distortion and high micro-contrast.

The trade-offs carry over too. f/2 is modest for a 50mm, focus is manual only and breathing is noticeable. Reviewers welcome the bayonet hood and Z-matched styling but note that close focus is still 0.45m and that Nikon's autofocus 50mm f/1.8 S comes close optically for less.

Owners like the more Nikon-like look on Zf and Z6III bodies, the reversible hood that stores neatly, and the familiar APO bite and colour accuracy for landscape, product and architecture work.

The common reservations are the price, the clicked aperture for video, and the fact that the update is cosmetic. Owners of the first version see little reason to upgrade.