Along with the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 lens for Canon RF-mount cameras, Cosina today also revealed the Nokton Vintage Line 28mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM lens for Leica M-mount cameras.
The lens combines a classic style and modern optical technology and is compatible with rangefinder-coupled Leica cameras. “This high-grade lens combines three features: a large aperture, compact and tight dimensions, and outstanding optical performance,” writes Cosina in its press release.
Built to look like famous optics of the 1960s and 70s, the lenses feature an all-metal design. The lens comes in two variants, the Type I and Type II. The former features a lightweight aluminum body and is available in matte black paint and silver colorways. The Type II lens instead has brass construction and comes in black paint (not matte) and silver finishes. The Type II lens also has a removable focusing knob.
Concerning focus, the manual lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) and promises an easy-to-use focusing knob. The minimum focus distance is 0.7m (2.3 feet) when used on a rangefinder-coupled camera. Cosina explains that the lens has a “very precisely machined and adjusted all metal helicoid unit lubricated with high-quality grease,” promising “just the right amount of torque” and precise focusing performance.
While built to look vintage and old-school, the lens has a modern optical design featuring 10 elements arranged into eight groups. The lens promises minimized color shifts and aberrations, and Cosina says it delivers excellent image quality on analog and digital cameras.
Cosina notes that the lens balances nicely when used on non-VM-mount cameras via an M-mount adapter, many of which are on the market for a wide range of camera systems. The lens covers a full-frame image circle, so it should work well when adapted.
The lens is impressively compact and lightweight, measuring only 45.5 millimeters (1.8 inches) long and weighing 250 grams (8.8 ounces) in the Type I version. The brass Type II is the same size but weighs 330g (11.6 ounces). The lens has a 12-bladed aperture diaphragm, promising soft bokeh, and has a 43mm filter thread.
According to Cosina’s Japanese press release, the lens will begin shipping in January. In Japan, the lenses will cost 125,000 Yen for the Type I version and 140,000 for the Type II model. Assuming that prices in the United States will be close to the current exchange rates, that is about $880 and $985, respectively.
Image credits: Cosina