Voigtlander Nokton 21mm F1.4 Aspherical

Reviewers find it very sharp in the centre and mid-frame at f/1.4, with the corners lower in contrast until about f/2.8. Coma is average wide open and well controlled by f/2.8, and sunstars with 12 points form from roughly f/1.7.

Vignetting is the main weakness, measured at well over three stops at f/1.4 and still around two stops at f/2.8. Veiling flare holds up well, though a small purple ghost can appear in hard backlight. Bokeh is smooth in the centre and gets busier toward the corners.

Owners use it for night street, interiors, environmental portraits and some astro work, and they praise the build, the focus feel and the look of close-up shots at f/1.4. Many describe it as a character lens they keep despite owning autofocus wides.

The common complaints are heavy vignetting, weight and length for a manual 21mm, the price, and a metal hood that feels delicate. Some prefer the lighter Zeiss Loxia 21mm for landscape work.