Camera Review, Lens ReviewMorten Byskov - 5050 TravelogJanuary 14, 2026Fujifilm X-E5 sample gallery, Fujifilm X-E5 sample images, Fujifilm X-E5 sample photos, Fujifilm X-E5 and Voigtlander Lenses, X-E5 and Voigtlander, Voigtländer M-Mount lenses on the Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm X-E5 and manual focus lensesComment

Fujifilm X-E5 and Three Voigtländer M-Mount Manual Focus Lenses

Fujifilm X-E5, Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2, Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2, and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM — Fujifilm X-E5, Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM, Nokton 50mm f/1.2 VM, and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM

Fujifilm X-E5 and Adapted Lenses

Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5, Nokton 50mm f/1.2, and APO-Ultron 90mm f/2

Over the last few years, I have collected a few manual-focus lenses. I like the tactile, high-quality feel of these lenses, and as an added benefit, they are typically smaller, lighter, and less expensive than autofocus lenses at equivalent focal lengths for full-frame cameras.

While I mostly use the Voigtländer lenses with my full-frame Leica SL2-S, I also see them as a complement to my Fujifilm cameras. With an APS-C camera, you have to consider the crop factor, but this can also be an advantage.

My current lineup of M-Mount Voigtländer lenses includes the Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM, Nokton 50mm f/1.2 VM, and APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM. Let’s see how I got on with these when adapted to my Fujifilm X-E5.

Fujifilm X-E5, black, and Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2 Aspherical VM — The Fujifilm X-E5, black, Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2 VM, and K&F Concept L/M to FX adapter

Why Voigtländer M-Mount Lenses

First of all, I am not sponsored or affiliated with Voigtländer. I find it important to mention this. However, I do have several Voigtländer reviews, which you can find here:

Voigtländer Reviews

I have gravitated to Voigtländer lenses for various reasons. I find them to represent very good value for the money, especially when compared to native Leica Lenses. Without exception, all Voigtländer lenses I have tried are of very high build quality, and all have the smoothest focus rings in the business.

Optically, they offer a good variety, ranging from a classic look when shot wide open to sharper, more clinically correct images when stopped down.

A ship hit the rocks near Sunset Beach in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X-E5 and Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM. — Sunset Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E5, Voightländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM

Three Focal Lengths

On the wide end, the Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 yields approximately a 43mm field of view in full-frame terms. The Nokton 50mm f/1.2 gives me a 77mm field of view, and the 90mm APO Ultron a 138mm field of view (using a 1.53x crop factor).

The compression and rendering from the three lenses will remain the same: 28mm, 50mm, and 90mm. Only the field of view (the crop) is affected when adapting to an APS-C camera.

I have enjoyed having a bit more “reach” with the 50mm and 90mm lenses, especially given the 40-megapixel sensor on the Fujifilm X-E5 versus the 24-megapixel sensor on my Leica SL2-S. It allows me to crop further into an image with the X-E5.

As a set of lenses, this is almost all I need for a good variety, though on a couple of outings, I added one more lens at the wide end. I have the Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R and find it a good addition, yielding a 21mm field of view in full-frame terms.

This sounds like a big kit, but all the lenses are quite small, just like the Fujifilm X-E5, and easily fit into a compact shoulder bag.

Fujifilm X-E5 and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 — The Fujifilm X-E5, black, Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM, and K&F Concept L/M to FX adapter

Focus Aids (MF Assist)

I wouldn’t have thought the 2.36m-Dot 0.62x OLED on the Fujifilm X-E5 would be any good for manual focusing, but it’s proved better than I expected. Does it match my Leica SL2-S with its 5.76m-dot 0.78x-magnification EVF? No, but don’t write the X-E5 off for this purpose.

In the MF Assist menu on your Fujifilm X-E5, you have three assist modes: Digital Split Image, Digital Microprism, and Focus Peaking with yellow, red, or blue highlights. The intensity of the colors can be adjusted to high or low.

I have tried all the assist modes and have decided to turn them off, as I appreciate having my viewfinder as clear as possible, free from distractions. This does not mean that they cannot be helpful in certain situations, ie. low light scenarios. I would encourage you to experiment to see which works best for you.

I use the command dial on the back of the X-E5 to punch in to confirm accurate focus.

Diana Byskov, 5050 Travelog, at the White Rock Pier. Sample image from a Fujifilm X-E5 and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM. — White Rock, BC, Fujifilm X-E5, Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM

The Lack of EXIF

One disadvantage of adapted lenses is the lack of EXIF data. You will see that I have not added f-stop information or shutter speed/ISO to the sample images in this review.

It is something most of us can live with, and it does not affect the image quality produced by the lenses, but keep this in mind if it is important to you.

Image Quality

After a few weeks of gathering test shots for this review, my expectations have been exceeded. To my eye, the quality of the Voigtländer glass plays very well with the X-E5's 40-megapixel sensor and offers a great alternative to using native Fujifilm lenses.

Readers of this site or on social media sometimes ask whether I create my own presets, but my editing process is usually fairly straightforward. In Lightroom, I usually remove all sharpening, then adjust white balance, leaning towards warmer tones.

I then adjust levels. I may use auto-correction, but will tweak shadows and highlights. Lightroom has excellent brushes and gradient adjustment, which I use occasionally. Last but not least, I will try various Fujifilm Film Simulations to see which one works best.

That said, I also frequently refrain from using film simulations as I find the files (RAW files) very pleasing as they are. I rarely, if ever, shoot JPEG.

Please click the sample images to view them at up to 2500 pixels, depending on your monitor size. You can also pinch-zoom on a mobile phone.

Using Voigtländer M-Mount lenses with a Fujifilm X-E5 — Fujifilm X-E5, Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM, Nokton 50mm f/1.2 VM, and Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM

Conclusion

Manual focusing will slow you down, and for certain types of photography, you may enjoy this. Take your time, frame your composition, and focus your lens on the focal point.

Autofocus lenses are absolutely great for certain photography genres. I would not enter a pro gig portrait session with a manual focus lens, nor would I show up with one if I really had to nail the shot at a sporting event.

But autofocus lenses often have a will of their own, and you may find that the camera sometimes takes over and doesn’t really do what you want. Mind you, AF systems are getting better and better, but remember that photographers relied on manual focus for decades and still managed to come home with amazing photos.

Ideally, you should try both and have a mix of lenses in your bag if your budget allows.

Fujifilm X-E5, black, and Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM — Fujifilm X-E5 and Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM

Currently, my favorite lens is the Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2 VM. I have tried it on a Fujifilm GFX50R, Fujifilm X-Pro2, Nikon Zf, Leica SL2-S, and now on a Fujifilm X-E5. On each camera, I think it delivers something quite special. Links go to my individual reviews.

The Nokton 28mm f/1.5 VM really shines on my SL2-S. On my X-E5, the field of view (43mm) is something you may have to get used to. I tell myself, it’s my “budget Leica Q3 43”.

The APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 is my latest addition, and it has exceeded expectations. You can check my review of it here using the Leica SL2-S, and on my APS-C-based Fujifilm X-E5, it’s roughly a 135mm lens, which I have missed since I sold my XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR a few years ago.

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate links below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Fujifilm X-E5 (body only) - B&H Photo
Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 - B&H Photo
Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2 - B&H Photo
Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 - B&H Photo

Thank you for being supportive.

Fujifilm X-E5 and Voigtländer M-Mount VM Lenses Sample Images

Below are sample photos from the Fujifilm X-E5 and Voigtländer M-Mount VM lenses, processed in Lightroom. I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the images.

Please click to view larger images.