Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 Nokton (SL II S) Manual Focus Lens for Nikon F, Black {52} with CPU Contacts

Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 Nokton: a manual prime built for Nikon shooters who mean it.

The Nokton SL II S sits in an interesting focal length. At 58mm, you get a slightly longer perspective than a standard 50mm, enough to compress a subject without reaching into short-telephoto territory. Paired with a f/1.4 maximum aperture and a 9-blade diaphragm, the out-of-focus rendering is smooth and controlled, not nervous or busy. The 7-element, 6-group optical formula has been for years, and this lens has had time to prove itself in real-world shooting.

CPU contacts mean the Nikon body communicates with the lens for metering and EXIF data, which matters when you're working in Aperture Priority or want focal length recorded in metadata. The aperture ring gives you direct, tactile control over exposure without touching the camera body, a workflow that many manual-focus shooters prefer. Both a distance scale and depth-of-field scale are engraved on the barrel, which makes zone focusing and hyperfocal shooting practical than theoretical. The all-metal barrel and mount keep things solid at 320g without feeling heavy in hand. At 48mm long and 64mm in diameter, it's a compact package that balances well on mid-size Nikon bodies.

For a manual prime at this focal length and speed, the Nokton SL II S remains a legitimate choice on any Nikon F body, film or digital, where you want optical quality and deliberate control over every frame.

Who It's For

Portrait photographers working at slower paces will find the 58mm focal length and f/1.4 aperture give them the subject separation they want without the clinical feel of longer glass. Street and documentary shooters who prefer manual focus can use the depth-of-field scale for zone focusing on the fly. Film photographers running Nikon F bodies get full metering integration through the CPU contacts, so the manual-focus workflow doesn't mean giving up in-camera exposure data. Photographers already building a manual-focus kit around Nikon F glass will find this lens fits naturally alongside other manual primes.

Key Features

• Manual focus 58mm prime with f/1.4 maximum aperture
• CPU contacts for Nikon metering and EXIF data
• 9-blade diaphragm for smooth, controlled bokeh
• Metal barrel and mount construction, 320g
• Distance scale and depth-of-field scale engraved
• 0.45m minimum focus distance for close work
• 7-element, 6-group optical formula
• Aperture ring for direct, tactile exposure control

FAQ

Is this a fully manual lens, or does it have autofocus?

Manual focus only. CPU contacts let your Nikon body handle metering and record focal length in EXIF, but focusing is entirely on you.

How does the 58mm focal length compare to a standard 50mm?

You get a slightly tighter framing - more compression, less wide-angle breathing. Useful for portraiture or street work where you want subject separation without reaching into true telephoto range.

What's the closest distance you can focus?

0.45 meters (17.72 inches), which is tight enough for detail work but not macro-level close focusing.

Does this lens work on both film and digital Nikon bodies?

Yes. The Nikon F mount is universal across film and digital - Canon FD, Pentax K, and Sony E mounts excluded. The CPU contacts are a bonus for digital bodies; film cameras ignore them and function fine.

How does the 9-blade diaphragm affect bokeh?

Nine blades produce smooth, rounded out-of-focus areas instead of the polygonal shapes you get with fewer blades. The f/1.4 aperture and this blade count work together to keep bokeh creamy and unobtrusive.

Can you use zone focusing or hyperfocal technique with this lens?

Yes. The distance scale and depth-of-field scale on the barrel make both practical - you can prefocus and shoot without looking through the viewfinder.

What's the filter size, and is a hood included?

58mm threads. No hood is supplied, but the LH-58 accessory hood is available separately.