p.5 #1 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
tsdevine wrote:
Got mine (EF mount) fall 2009 for just under $1300, I guess that's somewhat of a bargain today. It's a joy to use and I absolutely love the results. The only other macro lens I've ever used though is the Canon 100mm USM (non-L), so I don't have much to compare it to. I know I can't see ever parting with it. Maybe it's not the best at any one measure, but it seems pretty darn good all around (no major flaws.)
I have the Canon 100/2.8 (non L) too. What are the most significant differences with the Voigtlander 125 (as you remember) ?
p.5 #2 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
What a crap! At the time I was tempted by this lens they were selling for 800$. It looks like Zeiss Makro Planar 100 is more affordable now. I can't believe. Soon this legendary Voigtlander will exceed the price of a benchmark of all macro lenses - the Leica APO Elmarit 100 and it seems like I would never own one.
p.5 #3 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
Well, it's a joy to manual focus compared to the Canon. There's little to no CA or LoCA (wasn't serious enough back then to notice LoCA in the Canon...but I definitely noticed CA). Bokeh seems dreamier...... And it seems as though it's harder to blow out highlights, I know that seems crazy but it seems to handle contrast better.
Obviously this isn't scientific, just impressions.
nixland wrote:
I have the Canon 100/2.8 (non L) too. What are the most significant differences with the Voigtlander 125 (as you remember) ?
p.5 #4 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
tsdevine wrote:
Well, it's a joy to manual focus compared to the Canon. There's little to no CA or LoCA (wasn't serious enough back then to notice LoCA in the Canon...but I definitely noticed CA). Bokeh seems dreamier...... And it seems as though it's harder to blow out highlights, I know that seems crazy but it seems to handle contrast better.
Obviously this isn't scientific, just impressions.
Thanks for the info, especially about the contrast handling. I sometimes finds blown highlight too in my 135L & 85LII.
p.5 #5 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
I owned and sold a CV 125mm in EOS
I owned and sold ZE50mm f2.0
I am currently selling a Leica 100mm APO
Own and keeping Canon 100mmL
Just received and deciding if I am keeping or not the Sigma 150mm OS
CV 125 has best bokeh bar none! Great APO performance - Sharpness is medium compared to Leica, colors are muted compared to Leica. If you are into artistic look, this is the best.
Leica - OK bokeh and great sharpness. Best color of the bunch. Best overall performance. If it had 1:1 and auto focus I would never part with it. My eyes just aren't up for manual focus on moving critters any more. Great lens on stationary objects off tripod. If that is your gig, buy one.
Zeiss 50mm Great micro contrast and nice color if you like blue. Darkest blue skies you will never see. May be sharpest look due to contrast. 50mm too short a focal length for me, but nice lens as is the Contax 60mm f2.8.
Canon L and Sigma OS are nearly identical in IQ. Both are nice for outdoor flowers and bugs, but may not be the best for fine art photography. Very hard to tell images apart (as tested on outdoor flowers with bees ). Color is OK. Color may be brighter than CV, but not as nice as Zeiss or Leica. Bokeh is OK to bad. The good news- Very sharp considering the lack of micro contrast on both lenses On Sigma, I like the 150mm focal length better, but the focus speed and the ability to hold focus in servo is poor. I have to decide if for flighty subjects like butterflies, it is worth keeping or not. Will be doing more testing in next few days if the rain will hold off.
Many may not agree with all my comments... but this is my view of the world through my 53 year old eyes, one of which has a Zeiss lens in it (cataract).
p.5 #6 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
Yes, Please do comment on the Sigi OS for butterflies. I have this one in mind. Manual aperture and MF for critters is a tough but not impossible task.
p.5 #8 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
billsnature wrote:
Alright, none of these are a CV 125, so sorry if I am highjacking this thread, but my original post was about how these comared to Cv 125 previously owned.
First is Leica 100 APO @ f8
Second is Sigma 150mm OS@ f8
Third is Canon 100L @ f8
Last is Leica/ Pana 45mm OS on a micro 4/3rds @ f5.6
All shot raw, daylight setting on WB, and converted in PS with no sharpening. All are crops and resized for web
Thanks so much for that interesting comparison. Were these hand held to test the OS of the Sigma? I have read that the OS isn't necessarily optimized for macro like the Canon 100.
T
p.5 #9 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
billsnature wrote:
Alright, none of these are a CV 125, so sorry if I am highjacking this thread, but my original post was about how these comared to Cv 125 previously owned.
First is Leica 100 APO @ f8
Second is Sigma 150mm OS@ f8
Third is Canon 100L @ f8
Last is Leica/ Pana 45mm OS on a micro 4/3rds @ f5.6
All shot raw, daylight setting on WB, and converted in PS with no sharpening. All are crops and resized for web
Thanks so much for that interesting comparison. Were these hand held to test the OS of the Sigma? I have read that the OS isn't necessarily optimized for macro like the Canon 100.
T
No Actually they were all shot off tripod with IS or OS off wit the exception of micro 4/3 Leica 45mm
Have you seen reports that 100L is optimised for macro?. Most reports I have seen like the multi-mode but indicate that it isn't very effective for macro range.
p.5 #10 · Versions? Voigtlander 125mm APO Lanthar SL
billsnature wrote: billsnature wrote:
Alright, none of these are a CV 125, so sorry if I am highjacking this thread, but my original post was about how these comared to Cv 125 previously owned.
First is Leica 100 APO @ f8
Second is Sigma 150mm OS@ f8
Third is Canon 100L @ f8
Last is Leica/ Pana 45mm OS on a micro 4/3rds @ f5.6
All shot raw, daylight setting on WB, and converted in PS with no sharpening. All are crops and resized for web
Thanks so much for that interesting comparison. Were these hand held to test the OS of the Sigma? I have read that the OS isn't necessarily optimized for macro like the Canon 100.
T
No Actually they were all shot off tripod with IS or OS off wit the exception of micro 4/3 Leica 45mm
Have you seen reports that 100L is optimised for macro?. Most reports I have seen like the multi-mode but indicate that it isn't very effective for macro range. ...Show more →
Yes, I recall the reviews saying the IS is "hybrid" and about a stop of stabilization is present at 1:1. I can't think of when I wanted to hand hold something at that mag though. At least it is designed with macro use in mind-chasing critters at about 1:4 with effective IS seems to be a very helpful feature. I have read second hand reports that the "OS" of the Sigi 150 is in no way optimized for macro, though have not really seen any definitive data on this. Would be great to see how it works.
Oh, here is one report--sure there are others. http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_100_2p8_is_usm_c16/page6.asp
It looks like Zeiss Makro Planar 100 is more affordable now. I can't believe. Soon this legendary Voigtlander will exceed the price of a benchmark of all macro lenses - the Leica APO Elmarit 100 and it seems like I would never own one.