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Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

freaklikeme
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p.3 #1 · p.3 #1 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Fred Miranda wrote:
Functionality is its Achilles' heel though, as adjusting the click-less aperture also moves the focusing ring. Polarizer users will be frustrated as the filter thread rotates together with focus and aperture!

That's part of the "classic" design. My 50's era Sonnar 85/2 and Super Rokkor 45/2.8 are the same way.

Feb 03, 2019 at 03:27 AM

freaklikeme
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p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

DavidBM wrote:
@Fred Miranda@ do you know if the 2009 variant if this lens (with more attractive cosmetics, in my view) has the same aperture coupling design? Optically it’s the same...

No. The only problem with collapsable lenses is if the friction lock when extended wears thin. Then it's easier to put the lens in the unlocked position when changing the aperture.

Feb 03, 2019 at 03:30 AM

rico
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p.3 #3 · p.3 #3 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

The customary way to change aperture on these single-helical classics is returning the lens to infinity where it locks. Many RF shooters return to infinity anyway after a shooting sequence so the action is free. Alternatively, one can ensure the helical grease is viscous and use a lens with clickless aperture ring. These rings can be moved with a feather touch: mine are the Leitz Elmars 50/3.5 and 4-element 90.

Feb 03, 2019 at 09:35 AM

bjornthun
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p.3 #4 · p.3 #4 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

In the description of the Heliar 50 provided by Cameraquest in Fred's link, under "Other" is written,

"Clickless Aperture
Front elements rotate while Focusing"

Does this mean that the aperture ring also rotates while focusing?

Feb 03, 2019 at 09:44 AM

rico
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p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Yes.

Feb 03, 2019 at 09:57 AM

bjornthun
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p.3 #6 · p.3 #6 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Ouch! That's what I feared.

Thanks for the heads up on that one.

Feb 03, 2019 at 09:59 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.3 #7 · p.3 #7 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

bjornthun wrote:
Ouch! That's what I feared.

Thanks for the heads up on that one.

It's the main negative for this lens. The workaround is to focus at working aperture.

Feb 03, 2019 at 02:43 PM

GMPhotography
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p.3 #8 · p.3 #8 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Well I was feeling left out here so I rectified that and bought one. Seriously as soon as I saw the images Fred posted i was seriously intrigued how sharp the dang thing is but it also renders extremely nice. So Im thinking for landscape I will use this and leave the CV 40mm home since its a little bigger but i don't know yet. I will be testing it against Big Bronco and Ill throw my Sony 50mm 1.4 up against it. I got a feeling this CV will be even sharper than it.

Feb 05, 2019 at 05:17 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.3 #9 · p.3 #9 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

GMPhotography wrote:
Well I was feeling left out here so I rectified that and bought one. Seriously as soon as I saw the images Fred posted i was seriously intrigued how sharp the dang thing is but it also renders extremely nice. So Im thinking for landscape I will use this and leave the CV 40mm home since its a little bigger but i don't know yet. I will be testing it against Big Bronco and Ill throw my Sony 50mm 1.4 up against it. I got a feeling this CV will be even sharper than it.

If you don't mind the click-less aperture and having to focus at working aperture, the CV 50/3.5 could be a great pair to you CV 21/3.5.
Voigtlander should make an E-mount version of this lens. Keep the aperture in the front but have it operate separately from the focusing ring helicoid.

Feb 05, 2019 at 05:31 PM

GMPhotography
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p.3 #10 · p.3 #10 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Yea I should be fine for landscape working like that and yes it will pair nicely with my 21. Im excited but even better news coming on the CV12 thread. Success. Posting soon

Feb 05, 2019 at 05:33 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.3 #11 · p.3 #11 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

GMPhotography wrote:
Im excited but even better news coming on the CV12 thread. Success. Posting soon

Are you serious? No vignetting?

Feb 05, 2019 at 05:38 PM

GMPhotography
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p.3 #12 · p.3 #12 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

its now a 13mm

Feb 05, 2019 at 05:40 PM

rico
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p.3 #13 · p.3 #13 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

GMPhotography wrote:
I will be testing it against Big Bronco and Ill throw my Sony 50mm 1.4 up against it.

Good things come in small packages. I'm eager to hear your feedback.

Feb 05, 2019 at 05:40 PM

GMPhotography
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p.3 #14 · p.3 #14 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Thanks Rico appreciate that

Feb 05, 2019 at 05:53 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.3 #15 · p.3 #15 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Just purchased this lens again.

It's wonderful on the Sony and Leica. Tested on the M240 today and it's very easy to nail focus with the rangefinder.

Apr 23, 2020 at 11:41 PM

philip_pj
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p.3 #16 · p.3 #16 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

A few from this one:

Voigtländer Heliar 50mm f3.5

Apr 24, 2020 at 01:50 AM

Bertrick
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p.3 #17 · p.3 #17 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

I have had versions 1, 2, and 3. Gave version 1 to my brother. My favorite version on the Sony A7M3 and A7M4 is version 2 with S -> M adapter then VME close focus adapter for focusing. The VME does not rotate the lens while it focuses so the aperture markings stay up top. It is a really sweet combination.

I also have the retractable F/2 Heliar 50mm. Back when I used Leica, I had it and the 50mm Summicron f/2. I eventually sold the Summicron because when I did careful comparison tests, I either could not identify which lens was used, or I preferred the Heliar F/2. I know that this is heresy.

The 40mm f/2.8 is perhaps the oddest lens configuration ever, but it has travelled the world with me and produced more than one of the pictures hanging on my wall. It is a marvelous travel lens.

Obviously, I am Classic Heliar fan. Also obviously lens ergonomics is not a big deal to me. I think that learning photography with an old Speed Graphic quenched any expectations of ease in photography.

Apr 24, 2020 at 06:25 AM

Juha Kannisto
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p.3 #18 · p.3 #18 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

I also have the 50/2 classic Heliar (retractable Black version) as well as the current VM version of 50/3.5 and the 40/2.8. Really like all 3 on my Sony A9 as well as on Sigma fp. The 50/2 is really nice and better from handling perspective than the current 50/3.5 and the 40/2.8 although the other 2 may be better in some IQ aspects. As an overall package I slightly prefer the dual character of the 50/2 combined with the better handling over the others.

Apr 24, 2020 at 08:03 AM

Alpha_Geist
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p.3 #19 · p.3 #19 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Has anyone tried this lens on an A7RIV yet? I’m intrigued by this little lens and have been tossing the idea around of potentially picking it up. With that said, I use to own the CV Nokton 50/1.5 when I had an A7 and A7II. I do miss that lens, but I don’t know how it fairs on the 61mpx sensor of the RIV. I’m leaning towards the Heliar because it would be new to me, but I did get lots of memorable photos with the 50/1.5 when I owned it. I guess the simple, but costly, solution would be to buy both.

Note: I’m getting back to photography again after about a ~2 year hiatus. I’ve only put about 24-27 clicks through my A7IV that I bought at launch. Just been too busy with life and...COVID, to seriously get back into taking photos again. After looking at the Analog sub on Reddit for a while, I’ve been inspired to pick up my camera again and shoot my M6, monochrome converted RII and RIV. Apart from some other film cameras, the M6 and Sony are the only bodies I see myself using.

Jul 11, 2020 at 08:09 PM

Desmolicious
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p.3 #20 · p.3 #20 · Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

Nikon S2, CV 50 3.5 Heliar, Super Hypan II 25 (way expired and who knows how it was stored...), Cinestill DF96 Monobath

Jul 11, 2020 at 11:54 PM

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