Cosina Voigtländer has announced a new full-frame Septon 40mm F2 prime lens. The lens is available with either a Nikon Z mount or Sony E-mount.
Compact and lightweight
Despite covering a full-frame sensor, the new Voigtländer Septon 40mm F2 lens is compact and lightweight. The E-mount version is only 1.18 inches (30 mm) in length, while the Z mount option is a fraction longer at 1.26 inches (32 mm). The Sony option is also a little lighter at 5.8 ounces (165 g) with the Z mount lens weighing 7.23 ounces (205 g). Interestingly, the Z mount and E-mount options of the new Voigtländer Septon 40mm F2 lens feature a different style of manual focus ring. The Sony model has a diamond-knurled texture while the Nikon mount lens has a scalloped focus ring design. Other than that, the two models of the Septon 40mm are similar in design.
Optical design
Despite the outward differences, the E-mount and Z mount versions of the Voigtländer Septon 40mm lens share the same optical design. Both feature seven lens elements in six groups in an Orthometer optical design. These include one aspherical element and one abnormal partial dispersion lens element. The close focus distance is 11.8 inches (300 mm) and the lens uses an all-metal helicoid focus unit. This delivers a smooth operation for precise focusing. In addition, the fast F2 maximum aperture has 10 iris blades which should deliver smooth, round bokeh. The aperture ring is at the front of the lens body, with the focus ring closer to the camera.
Other features
Although the Voigtländer Septon 40mm lens is fully manual, both mount options have electronic contacts to communicate with your camera. As well as EXIF data, this can pass information to support in-body image stabilization if your camera has that feature. The Nikon Z mount option also supports focus peaking. In addition, both versions of the lens come with a dome-shaped metal screw-on hood. This hood has a 52 mm filter thread.
What we think
A 40 mm lens on a full-frame camera gives you a great field of view, slightly wider than the usual standard 50 mm focal length. As such, the new Cosina Voigtländer Septon 40mm lens should be ideal for portrait work as well as giving you the option for slightly wider-angle shots. It also features a fast maximum aperture of F2 for a shallow depth of field and good low light performance. In addition, the compact and lightweight design of the new lens make it ideal for an everyday walk about option that doesn’t add much weight or depth to your camera body. If you are looking for a new standard lens and don’t need autofocus, the Cosina Voigtländer Septon 40mm lens is a great choice.
Pricing and availability
The Sony E-mount Cosina Voigtländer Septon 40mm F2 prime lens is scheduled for release in March 2026. If you want the Nikon Z mount option, you may need to wait an extra month until April 2026. At the time of writing, Cosina Voigtländer hasn’t announced U.S. pricing. However, in Japan the lens is set to retail at 85,000 yen which currently converts to around $553. This doesn’t account for the extra costs imposed in the U.S. by the government’s import tariffs.
