§ 03 Head to head

Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 vs Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S

Nikon 58mm f/1.4 is 20 mm shorter. Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 is 30 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Nikon F mount: the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 is a 58mm f/1.4 prime, and the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S is a 58mm f/1.4 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 better than the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S?

  • 20 mm shorter (47.5 mm vs 67.6 mm long)

Why is the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S better than the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4?

  • 30 g lighter (320 g vs 350 g)
  • Focuses 15 cm closer (0.45 m vs 0.6 m)
  • More aperture blades (9 vs 6)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S has the edge: it is 30 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

15 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationNikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S
Focal length58mm 58mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4 f/1.4
Minimum aperturef/16 f/16
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight350 g (12.35 oz) 320 g (11.29 oz) ◆
Dimensions67 x 47.5 mm 45.5 x 67.6 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.60 m (23.62 inches) 0.45 m (17.72 inches) ◆
Image stabilizationNo No
Aperture ringYes Yes
Aperture blades6 9 ◆
Optical construction7 elements / 6 groups 7 elements / 6 groups
Filter size52 mm 52 mm
Lens mountNikon F Nikon F
Released—2016
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Nikon
  • B · Voigtlander
  • 47.5 × 67 mm
  • 67.6 × 45.5 mm

The Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S is 20 mm longer and 30 g lighter than the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4

No Such Thing As Society
No Such Thing As Society by Marcel Van Engen
IMG015
IMG015 by viacheslav2
IMG017
IMG017 by viacheslav2
Nikkor Manualfocus
Nikkor Manualfocus by Ed van de Zilver

Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S

Octobre
Octobre by Stéphane Ferrière
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida by marknierman
Great Falls National Park, MD.
Great Falls National Park, MD. by Lone Geek
The Sky
The Sky by Lone Geek
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 review 1
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 review 2
Video thumbnail for Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S review 1
Video thumbnail for Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 or the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S?
The Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S weighs 320 g, 30 g less than the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 (350 g).
Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 or the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S?
The Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S focuses down to 0.45 m, against 0.6 m for the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4.
Do the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 and the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Nikon Nikkor S 5.8 cm f/1.4 or the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Nokton 58 mm f/1.4 SL II S has the edge: it is 30 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons