For those who are still on the fence for this lens, here's a little wide-open comparison vs. the Nikkor 50mm F/1.2 AI-S. Focused on a distant building, handheld at f/1.2, 1/6400s (I don't know why the EXIF says 1/6500s). Processed in Capture One Pro with all sharpening set to zero (both "in-edit" sharpening and output sharpening), no editing other than resizing the Nikon shot to match the FOV of the Voigt shot, crop from near center frame. Pretty impressive at f/1.2 I'd say, especially comparing it to the slight "dreamy" look of the Nikkor lens wide open.
As I got the VM version, corners are pretty bad wide open (a lot can be done in post though ), but by f/5.6 the Voigt looks like a great landscape lens to me (not that this hasn't been proven on the previous 188 pages already ), even if the E mount version would maybe have given me even better IQ, but I just didn't want to get yet another adapter for my Z6 (and I like the smallness and lightness of the VM version). I can post examples if somebody's interested.
Stopped down, the sharpness of the Nikkor is also pretty amazing though. I like both lenses, they are different in character, but the Nikkor's stopped-down look has always appeared a bit "clinical" to me, so while it's extremely sharp, I preferred landscapes shot with the 50mm f/2 AI. (sorry for OT)
Markus
Voigt vs Nikkor, no sharpening, no editing other than resize
Bohemien wrote:
For those who are still on the fence for this lens, here's a little wide-open comparison vs. the Nikkor 50mm F/1.2 AI-S. Focused on a distant building, handheld at f/1.2, 1/6400s (I don't know why the EXIF says 1/6500s). Processed in Capture One Pro with all sharpening set to zero (both "in-edit" sharpening and output sharpening), no editing other than resizing the Nikon shot to match the FOV of the Voigt shot, crop from near center frame. Pretty impressive at f/1.2 I'd say, especially comparing it to the slight "dreamy" look of the Nikkor lens wide open.
As I got the VM version, corners are pretty bad wide open (a lot can be done in post though ), but by f/5.6 the Voigt looks like a great landscape lens to me (not that this hasn't been proven on the previous 188 pages already ), even if the E mount version would maybe have given me even better IQ, but I just didn't want to get yet another adapter for my Z6 (and I like the smallness and lightness of the VM version). I can post examples if somebody's interested.
Stopped down, the sharpness of the Nikkor is also pretty amazing though. I like both lenses, they are different in character, but the Nikkor's stopped-down look has always appeared a bit "clinical" to me, so while it's extremely sharp, I preferred landscapes shot with the 50mm f/2 AI. (sorry for OT)
The VM version of this lens is the m-mount version, isn't it?
I am pondering about getting tbis lens in either of the two different versions. M -mount would give me a fantastic option for my Leica M2 as well. Eventually getting other e-mount lenses for the Z would be an option for the future as well for me ( perhaps loxia, maybe even a sony lens or a batis, wbo knows...)
I think for most people shooting this lens on a Sony camera only, the E-mount version is the way to go. Optimized IQ, camera communication and exif are big benefits.
If you think you'll use it on other systems also, then I could see choosing M-mount. I think the FE version can be used on Nikon with a thin adapter though.
nikonos6 wrote:
The VM version of this lens is the m-mount version, isn't it?
I am pondering about getting tbis lens in either of the two different versions. M -mount would give me a fantastic option for my Leica M2 as well.
Yes, the VM version is the M-mount version. I got it because it's smaller and lighter than the E-mount version (and I have more M mount glass I'm adapting to the Z6), but apparently the E-mount version works better optically on non-Leica cameras, that's what Graham is referring to above. For you, if you want to put it on a Leica body, I guess the VM version could also make sense.
I'll put together a post with some samples from my testing that shows you that the corners are really bad wide open (maybe later or tomorrow), but for typical "wide-open applications" this doesn't bother me too much. By f/5.6 this is a very good landscape lens across the frame.
Man, this lens renders jaw-droppingly amazing (can you say that in English? ). This is with the Marumi +3 achromat, I think at f/4 or f/5.6, on the Z6.
I read in Alt that the Z sensor stack is very close to Sony's (data given were 2.3mm and 2.5mm) which makes sense as Voigtlander E>Z adapters are coming to market:
It might simplify matters somewhat: if you are or may be an M user, get the M version. For potential Z users, the Sony version might be the best choice.
It's another advantage of Sony being first and of market leadership / incumbency and it is an opportunity for Z users not open to Canon R users. Thanks for the comparo, Markus.
Bohemien wrote:
Yes, the VM version is the M-mount version. I got it because it's smaller and lighter than the E-mount version (and I have more M mount glass I'm adapting to the Z6), but apparently the E-mount version works better optically on non-Leica cameras, that's what Graham is referring to above. For you, if you want to put it on a Leica body, I guess the VM version could also make sense.
I'll put together a post with some samples from my testing that shows you that the corners are really bad wide open (maybe later or tomorrow), but for typical "wide-open applications" this doesn't bother me too much. By f/5.6 this is a very good landscape lens across the frame.
Great - thanks a lot for the info.
Actually that I am still making up my mind, but tend towards the M-mount version for the personal reasons I mentioned.
And as your last photo has proven, with something like the marumi macro +3 it is also quite a good option for close up shots!
We took a little midday hike (it's a holiday here), that gave me some time to play with my new lens. I really can't complain about the performance of the VM version on the Z6. Apart from wide open, the corners are really ok IMHO and when it comes to overall rendering, I'm already in love with this lens.
The lens does the beauty of this environment over there in Germanys south-western part justice!
And it is absolutely doing fine with landscapes as well, and has some really great rendering.
I just don‘t need to blame anybody for my GAS, rather accept it
Oh # und wirklich eine tolle Gegend bei Euch, mit schönen Blicken und gutem Wein.
War heute in Naumburg an der Saale - da ist es durchaus ähnlich ( und archeologisch sensationell interessant mit Nebra und Goseck etc. )
nikonos6 wrote:
M -mount would give me a fantastic option for my Leica M2 as well. Eventually getting other e-mount lenses for the Z would be an option for the future as well for me ( perhaps loxia, maybe even a sony lens or a batis, wbo knows...)
Ok, here are some tests I put together for those who are interested in the VM version's performance on Nikon Z.
The Z6 was placed on a tripod with VR off. Camera was pointed at the Mainz riverfront at an angle, so while the frame center was maybe 400m away, the left side of the frame was closer to the camera than the right side (not that this would make a difference at these distances, I'd guess).
The first two photos show the four corners at f/1.2 when focussed for the center at 100% magnification, camera tilted to left/right (these are 800x800 pixel crops from the original file). Infinity is just a bit short from the hard stop here, maybe at the beginning of the infinity sign, as others have reported too. I don't know why the top left corner is darker than the other corners, must have been a shadow-you can see in photo #4 that this corner is not darker than the others.
The third shows the situation at f/5.6-no complaints about the corners from me, and you can just focus to the infinity hard stop here due to the larger DOF. See my post above for some "real-world" landscape use, even the shot at f/2 is absolutely useable (this is the full frame, no cropping).
The fourth photo shows the full scene at f/1.2, so you can see the amount of vignetting going on.
Important to notice: these are "straight" conversions in Capture One Pro, all sharpening (in-edit and output sharpening) set to zero, no adjustments.
Hope this helps! Sorry for the "technical" post-back to taking photos!
Markus
top left corner, frame center, bottom right corner at f/1.2
bottom left corner, frame center, top right corner at f/1.2
The interplay of contrast and color, the delicacy of tones, esp hard areas like skies. The range of greens so well-represented, and this can be a concern with Nikon's distinctive but unsubtle color engine.
Cosina is more of a European maker than a Japanese one. They remind me of Bridgestone, the tyre people. They made such great motorcycles in the 1960s that the other brands told them to stop or else they would no longer buy their tyres. At least here, only Zeiss have leverage over them.
Hadn't bought any new lenses for almost three years (the Lensbabies don't count since I got them for free ), but came across a "like new" CV 40/1.2 in E mount last week here in Norway for only 6.000 NOK. A brand new costs 11.000 NOK, so it was a fantastic price which I couldn't resist.
So far I like it a lot and hope it can replace both my CV 35/1.7 and CV 50/1.5 (we'll see). Would have preferred M mount, but for this low price I was willing to change plans and now I have also ordered the new CV 21/3.5 E, which will replace CV 15/4.5 III VM (already sold) and CV 21/1.8. The 21mm is on back-order though, so I don't know when I'll receive it.
CV 21 and 40 should be a great kit that can handle almost everything I like to shoot. Before going digital I had a really good and nice looking Minolta camera with a fixed 40mm/1.8 lens. It was all I brought on trips to North-Western USA, Portugal, Israel and Jordan etc. and I was extremely happy with it. The Sony kit will be larger of course, but I hope the shooting experience will be similar, especially since I have used larger gear in between so it won't feel too heavy.
Literally the first shot I took with it (then it started to rain):
HelenaN wrote:
Hadn't bought any new lenses for almost three years (the Lensbabies don't count since I got them for free ), but came across a "like new" CV 40/1.2 in E mount last week here in Norway for only 6.000 NOK. A brand new costs 11.000 NOK, so it was a fantastic price which I couldn't resist.
So far I like it a lot and hope it can replace both my CV 35/1.7 and CV 50/1.5 (we'll see). Would have preferred M mount, but for this low price I was willing to change plans and now I have also ordered the new CV 21/3.5 E, which will replace CV 15/4.5 III VM (already sold) and CV 21/1.8. The 21mm is on back-order though, so I don't know when I'll receive it.
CV 21 and 40 should be a great kit that can handle almost everything I like to shoot. Before going digital I had a really good and nice looking Minolta camera with a fixed 40mm/1.8 lens. It was all I brought on trips to North-Western USA, Portugal, Israel and Jordan etc. and I was extremely happy with it. The Sony kit will be larger of course, but I hope the shooting experience will be similar, especially since I have used larger gear in between so it won't feel too heavy.
HelenaN wrote:
Hadn't bought any new lenses for almost three years (the Lensbabies don't count since I got them for free ), but came across a "like new" CV 40/1.2 in E mount last week here in Norway for only 6.000 NOK. A brand new costs 11.000 NOK, so it was a fantastic price which I couldn't resist.
So far I like it a lot and hope it can replace both my CV 35/1.7 and CV 50/1.5 (we'll see). Would have preferred M mount, but for this low price I was willing to change plans and now I have also ordered the new CV 21/3.5 E, which will replace CV 15/4.5 III VM (already sold) and CV 21/1.8. The 21mm is on back-order though, so I don't know when I'll receive it.
CV 21 and 40 should be a great kit that can handle almost everything I like to shoot. Before going digital I had a really good and nice looking Minolta camera with a fixed 40mm/1.8 lens. It was all I brought on trips to North-Western USA, Portugal, Israel and Jordan etc. and I was extremely happy with it. The Sony kit will be larger of course, but I hope the shooting experience will be similar, especially since I have used larger gear in between so it won't feel too heavy.
I've had the 40mm f1.2 E mount version on the A7III for the last few days
Still getting used to it but I LOVE it so far, copy seems good (Thanks Mainline - Sydney), finding not much editing is required on the RAWs, the focal length is so comfortable for me, never feel hemmed in or needing to get closer (35-50), its safe to say it lives on the camera (sorry FE fam)
My first shots, from the end of the street, love the smoothness
HelenaN wrote:
CV 21 and 40 should be a great kit that can handle almost everything I like to shoot.
This is my MF kit too. Also had the CV50/1.5 for a short while, but replaced it with the CV40. And I think you'll love them too. I don't think I'll replace them any time soon. The balance of size, handling, rendering, sharpness etc. is pretty much perfect for my use. Haven't really missed 35 or 50mm FL's. The CV40 is now my all-time favourite standard lens and the CV21 is the perfect wide-angle companion for it.
Only lens I'd love to have with them is a Sony-native 75 to 90mm Voigtländer, if there was one. Preferably FE mount. Hoping that they would make an FE mount version of the upcoming 75mm f/1.5 (which I might get as an M mount before that). Currently using the 75mm f/2.5 Color-Heliar which is a really lovely lens. Sharp and tiny with great rendering. Sometimes I think about the CV65/2 but not really sure I want such a big lens as I'm not that into closeup photography and I find the images from it a bit "clinical". And I'd rather have something a bit longer than that. Wasn't too happy with the FE85/1.8 how it rendered at medium to long distances, so I sold it. And I think I'll prefer the upcoming 75mm f/1.5 Nokton rather than any of the current 85-90mm options.
), but by f/5.6 the Voigt looks like a great landscape lens to me (not that this hasn't been proven on the previous 188 pages already 
), even if the E mount version would maybe have given me even better IQ, but I just didn't want to get yet another adapter for my Z6 (and I like the smallness and lightness of the VM version). I can post examples if somebody's interested.
-here's one more with the Marumi +3 (DHG 330 achromat). Shot at f/4. Slight crop, vignetting added in post.
