Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) vs Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF)
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) is 11-20mm, the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) is 40mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) for wide-angle, the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Choose the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) if…
- ✓You shoot wide — it starts at 11mm vs 40mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
- ✓You want one-lens flexibility — a 11-20mm zoom covers what the fixed 40mm can't reframe.
- ✓You like close-focus work — 0.26x magnification vs 0.13x.
- ✓You work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.
Choose the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/1.2 is faster than f/2.8, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 40mm vs 20mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 40mm prime over a zoom.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) opens to f/1.2 vs the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF)'s f/2.8 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) is 11-20mm, Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) is 40mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Type: the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) is a zoom (flexible framing), the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
- ›Durability: the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) is weather-sealed; the other isn't.
Frequently asked
Is the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) or the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) is 11-20mm, the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) is 40mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) for wide-angle, the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Who should choose the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF)?
Choose the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) if you shoot wide — it starts at 11mm vs 40mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 11-20mm zoom covers what the fixed 40mm can't reframe. Choose it if you like close-focus work — 0.26x magnification vs 0.13x. Choose it if you work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.
Who should choose the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF)?
Choose the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) if you want more light and background blur — f/1.2 is faster than f/2.8, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you need more reach — it goes to 40mm vs 20mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 40mm prime over a zoom.
What is the main difference between the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF) and the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF)?
Aperture: the Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical (Canon RF) opens to f/1.2 vs the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Canon RF)'s f/2.8 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 11-20mm | 40mm |
| Lens Type | Zoom | Prime |
| Optical Elements | 12 | 10 |
| Optical Groups | 10 | 8 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 12 |
| Rounded Aperture | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | APS-C | Full-Frame |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Angle of View | 104° – 71° | 57° |
| 35mm Equivalent | 18-32mm | − |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | No |
| Focus Motor | RXD | − |
| Focus Limiter | No | No |
| AF/MF Switch | No | No |
| Min Focus Distance | 15 cm | 40 cm |
| Max Magnification | 0.26x | 0.13x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture Ring | No | No |
| Declickable Aperture | No | No |
| Parfocal | No | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $799 | $799 |
| Filter Size | 67mm | 49mm |
| Diameter | 74mm | 63.3mm |
| Length | 86.2mm | 59mm |
| Weight | 335g (11.8 oz) | 287g (10.1 oz) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Tripod Collar | No | No |
