Archive 2018 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

austinschutz
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

It pains me to say this, but my Voigtlander 180/4 rarely gets used. Every time I use it I'm reminded of how magical it is, but my photography these days is mostly limited to portraits and landscapes...and I live in Alabama where everything is fairly flat and filled with trees so telephoto landscapes (which I love) aren't something I do all that often. Plus the Voigtlander has shot up in price. I feel fairly comfortable in thinking I could get $1,200-$1,300 net to me, which would allow me to fill out my kit pretty well. Right now I have:

Sony A7II
Samyang 35mm f/2.8
Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4
Voigtlander 180mm f/4

I'm thinking for that $1,300 I could get a used Loxia 21mm and a decent tripod (I like the Manfrotto BeFree's, just not their ballhead), or a Sony 24-105/4. Maybe when I'm done with graduate school someone will have released a modern equivalent of the Voigtlander and I can get another then. In the meantime I'll likely pick up an Olympus 200mm f/5. I don't know, though, it's a hard decision. But, I know I'd use both of the aforementioned options more. Any thoughts? How do others make decisions like this?

Sep 03, 2018 at 02:11 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

I had a Voigt 180/4, which I bought early last year at its current (high) price; my other long lens at that time was a Canon 100-400, too large and heavy to carry it "anywhere" unless I knew that I had a need to use it. The Voigt made sense to buy, being tiny and light, and I had expected to keep it.

Then I got a Contax 100-300 later in the year, which was unexpected. I got it with the intention to replace both the Voigt and the Canon; after much quality comparison testing, I did. While the Contax isn't tiny or light, it's a lot more flexible than the Voigt, while still light enough that it does go everywhere unless I know for certain that I won't need it.

I could have kept the Voigt, but I really do think that a new E-mount version will come out before too long, after which the value of the old one will probably drop like a rock. I wanted to recoup what I paid before it did that. So there you have it...that's how I made my decision, and it's not one that I've regretted at all. In your case, do you think you'll use a 21 more than a 180? The Loxia 21 is great if you have the subject matter for a very wide lens.

Edited on Sep 03, 2018 at 03:02 PM · View previous versions

Sep 03, 2018 at 02:58 PM

Luvwine
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

austinschutz wrote:
It pains me to say this, but my Voigtlander 180/4 rarely gets used. Every time I use it I'm reminded of how magical it is, but my photography these days is mostly limited to portraits and landscapes...and I live in Alabama where everything is fairly flat and filled with trees so telephoto landscapes (which I love) aren't something I do all that often. Plus the Voigtlander has shot up in price. I feel fairly comfortable in thinking I could get $1,200-$1,300 net to me, which would allow me to fill out my kit pretty well. Right now I have:

Sony A7II
Samyang...Show more →

I am fortunate in that I don't have to make such decisions at this point in my life (many years since grad school!). However, your logic makes sense. You would no doubt get more use out of wide angle for landscape. The Loxia 21 and CV 40 are my most used lenses. I too have a lovely 180mm prime but it only gets used occasionally. I get MUCH more use out of the Loxia 21. A tripod is also essential for landscape photogs when the light gets low or for longer exposures around lakes, waterfalls, etc. Given a limited budget, I would do as you plan and perhaps instead of replacing the 180 with something you won't like as much, consider renting a lens when you need one for your infrequent compressed landscape opportunities. You could rent a Sony 100-400 for example. Good luck with your decision!

Sep 03, 2018 at 02:59 PM

austinschutz
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

Thank you both, this was helpful. I've decided to list it. When I graduate (in like 6 years) I'll get another one as a graduation gift to myself.

Sep 04, 2018 at 11:08 AM

dbehrens
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

Lens are just a tool in the tool box. If you use it great. If you don't then replace it with something more useful.

. . . and I think I need to pay more attention to my own advice!

Sep 04, 2018 at 11:35 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

Austin,

Given your tight graduate student budget, I might make a different recommendation. If you can live with the bigger size getting a Zeiss ZF 21 f/2.8 would give you a lot more bang for your buck, IMO. The Loxia 21 is one of my favourite lenses and I love the smaller size, but you get almost the same performance from the larger ZF lens and its a lot cheaper. Then you could put more into your tripod, or think about adding something like the Zeiss C/Y 85 f/2.8 or 100 f/3.5 two other excellent value lenses.

Sep 04, 2018 at 11:38 AM

philip_pj
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

Yes, agree with Steve here. The Milvus lenses are no-holds-barred top quality and Zeiss found room in the line for the optically identical 21/2.8 from ZE/ZF times. They sold in large numbers over the years as better options than the OEM lenses from C/N, so now they are excellent value. Very easy to use, point and shoot almost, peak at f5.6 but great from f2.8.

In some key respects they are also better lenses than the Loxia 21mm - stronger apparent depth of field and distance definition, this is one of the favourites for '3D' among the insiders. If interested, take a look through the Zeiss ZE/ZF/ZM images thread (Alt forum) for more feedback from final images.

Sep 04, 2018 at 05:13 PM

Rubyww
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

I have the CV 180 and it is one of the last lens that I would sell. It is an unique APO telephono lens with the combination of light weight (only 485 gm), diminutive size, great IQ and reasonably close focusing distance that is unparalleled in its category. Even if they would release an emount version, the price of an APO lens of this caliber will likely be even more expensive.

The lens is so pocketable that I take it with me everywhere during all travel. Many of my favorite sunset pictures are taken with it.

I read that Loxia 21mm is a lens with almost no flaws but there are other cheaper Legacy lens that one can adapt and come close. The CV 180 has no Legacy peer and it is in a class of its own.

Sep 05, 2018 at 12:21 PM

jhinkey
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Gear input, the Voigtlander 180/4 might go for an UWA or standard zoom

My 180/4 CV in F mount is my vacation telephoto. Lightweight, compact and very very good IQ. I certainly hope that Cosina comes out with a native E mount version - I'd be in heaven!

Sep 05, 2018 at 03:50 PM


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