Review - Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II S Nokton lens with Mitakon ZhongYi Turbo II speedbooster on Fuji X

Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II S Nokton is a very unique lens from the Voigtlander series designed for DSLR cameras. It has pleasing rendering with interesting character when used on Full Frame sensors, though it's "magic" is mostly fading away when mounted on APS-C camera. In this article I'm reviewing Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 in Nikon F mount combined with Mitakon ZhongYi Turbo II speedbooster.

I should first thank to one of my best friend from Ukraine for pointing attention on Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II S. Typically I'm adapting Leica M mount lens on Fuji X cameras due to their compact size. From the other side DSLR designed optics often performs optically better when adapted on Fuji X due to longer distance form sensor to most rear glass element, though at a cost of larger and bulkier adapter that is about 1" thick. Adapting DSLR lens on Fuji X also means that focus ring will be much further and it is often not convenient to use.

Shooting with Sony A7s

Following friend's recommendation I tried Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II S adapted on Sony A7s camera, where lens unveils its full rendering potential, and I enjoyed a lot shooting with this combo. Producing images form this lens have good balance as a mix of vintage optics imperfections with decent amount of usable IQ. You will either like or not that sort of images, and it's very subjective area. Personally I like the look and decided to keep the lens.

With Fuji X camera the Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II S lens is cropped, and rendering is also affected by thicker sensor filter which leads to less pleasant look comparing to other 50mm - 60mm fast lens  alternatives available for Fuji X natively or adapted. For that portrait look I prefer Voigtlander 50mm F1.5 Nokton latest vintage line Single Coated version in Leica M mount.

Speed Boosters (Focal Reducers)

That type of adapters have extra optical elements which are are reducing diameter of image circle output from Full Frame lens. As a result the focal length of lens is getting shorter. Additionally the aperture value is increasing (since it is roughly a proportion of front lens diameter to the lens focal length). You may read numerous articles about Speed Boosters to better understand if they fit your particular needs, and the one that caught my eye is from Fstoppers written by Dylan Goldby -  Fstoppers Reviews the Zhongyi Lens Turbo II Nikon F to Fujifilm X Focal Reducer

The Mitakon Speedbooster Turbo II copy I have is more compact version and has no aperture ring on it's surface. Adapter is very well crafted with great precision. While mounted on Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II S the lens becomes 1" longer and also heavier. Though that extra weight of Speedbooster feels much better while shooting comparing to lighter plain adapter, I think it's due to weight center is now closer to Fuji X camera. The balance on Fuji X-Pro3 is very nice and sometimes I'm also mounting on Fuji hand grip for longer walks.

Mitakon Turbo II adapter with 0.726x reducing power is converting this Voigtlander lens to 42mm F1.0 lens which is quite interesting. I used to shoot a lot with Voigtlander 40mm F1.2 lens adapted to Fuji X and like a lot how that combo is rendering. It's not a surprise that Speedbosted Voigtlander 42mm F1.0 combined with signature Fuji X colors (and monochrome) simulations quickly became one of favorite lens to grab for a walk.

Someone may say it's not precise calculation, which is true, though put into account that Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 has whole optical core moving while focusing that is extracting by about 10mm which is technically making it closer to 68mm lens when focused at minimal distance. So for medium focus distance it's fine to round up and count it just 42mm F1.0. 

Picture samples

Monochrome image samples

Conclusions

Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II S Nokton combined with Speedbooster is making it even more unique beast - 42mm F1.0 that has no alternatives on market. Shooting with it is fun and delightful, and best result of involving of Turbo II - interesting rendering of this Voiglander is preserved and can be nicely combined with Fuji X film simulations. There is still big factor of subjective preferences that apply to original Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 rendering on Full Frame - I think if you like how it performs on native sensor size - most likely you also enjoy Speedboosted lens performance on APS-C.