§ 03 Head to head

7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 vs Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1

7Artisans 50mm f/1.1 is 30 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Leica M mount: the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 is a 50mm f/1.1 prime, and the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 is a 50mm f/1.1 prime. On paper the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 0, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 better than the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1?

  • 30 g lighter (398 g vs 428 g)
  • 9 mm shorter (48 mm vs 57.2 mm long)
  • Focuses 30 cm closer (0.7 m vs 1 m)
  • More aperture blades (13 vs 10)
  • Smaller filter thread (55 mm vs 58 mm)
  • Newer design (2017 vs 2009)

Why is the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 better than the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1?

No measurable advantage on paper.

02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 has the edge: it is 30 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

15 rows · better value flagged ◆
Specification7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1
Focal length50mm 50mm
Maximum aperturef/1.1 f/1.1
Minimum aperturef/16 f/16
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight398 g (14.04 oz) ◆428 g (15.10 oz)
Dimensions62 x 48 mm 69.6 x 57.2 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.7 m (27.56 inches) ◆1 m (39.37 inches)
Image stabilizationNo No
Aperture ringYes Yes
Aperture blades13 ◆10
Optical construction7 elements / 6 groups 7 elements in 6 groups
Filter size55 mm ◆58 mm
Lens mountLeica M Leica M
Released2017 2009
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · 7Artisans
  • B · Voigtlander
  • 48 × 62 mm
  • 57.2 × 69.6 mm

The Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 is 9 mm longer and 30 g heavier than the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1

Sym et tree
Sym et tree by Jo 0405
Hokkaido Governor’s Official Residence.
Hokkaido Governor’s Official Residence. by MIKI Yoshihito. (#mikiyoshihito)
UNIQUE&SON'S.
UNIQUE&SON'S. by MIKI Yoshihito. (#mikiyoshihito)
花論珈琲茶房 - Cafe and Shot bar KARON.
花論珈琲茶房 - Cafe and Shot bar KARON. by MIKI Yoshihito. (#mikiyoshihito)

Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1

THE WOMAN WHO KEPT HER EYES OPEN.
THE WOMAN WHO KEPT HER EYES OPEN. by AEON VON ZARK
THE WOMAN WHO REMAINED BEHIND THE LINES.
THE WOMAN WHO REMAINED BEHIND THE LINES. by AEON VON ZARK
THE WOMAN WHO WATCHED THE SMOKE RISE.
THE WOMAN WHO WATCHED THE SMOKE RISE. by AEON VON ZARK
THE FACE THAT DREW ITS OWN BOUNDARIES.
THE FACE THAT DREW ITS OWN BOUNDARIES. by AEON VON ZARK
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 review 1
Video thumbnail for 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 review 2
Video thumbnail for Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 review 1
Video thumbnail for Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 or the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1?
The 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 weighs 398 g, 30 g less than the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 (428 g).
Which focuses closer, the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 or the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1?
The 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 focuses down to 0.7 m, against 1 m for the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1.
Do the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 and the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 or the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.1 better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the 7Artisans M 50 mm f/1.1 has the edge: it is 30 g lighter to carry.