p.54 #1 · Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Review
I have a question regarding the Sony α7 series sensor. It concerns using VM-mount lenses via an adapter. As you know, not all VM-mount lenses (Voigtländer M-mount lenses) are available in Sony-E mount versions. For example, I'm hoping for an E-mount version of the Color-skopar 50mm f/2.2 lens released last year, but I suspect that won't happen. Therefore, I'm considering acquiring a VM-mount version, but will that result in poor performance on a Sony body?
Actually, for the past few years, I've been using Rokkor lenses from half a century ago on my Sony camera via an adapter. With standard lenses like 55mm and 58mm, I've been getting almost perfectly satisfactory images. However, naturally, at angles around 20mm, the lens performance itself was poor (severe distortion and vignetting, etc.). That's why I was so happy to acquire a lens like the Color-skopar 21mm f/3.5.
I used Leica M and Voigtländer VM wide-angle lenses with Sony E-mount cameras via an adapter and was plagued by degraded peripheral image quality and magenta tinting. It wasn't until several years ago that I finally understood the structural reasons for this. Would it be possible for me to obtain relatively satisfactory images with VM or M-type 50mm class standard lenses? Incidentally, the M-mount Rokkor 90mm f/4 lens produces surprisingly good images (though not the fastest) on Sony α7 series bodies.
p.54 #2 · Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Review
Escapist2436 wrote:
I have a question regarding the Sony α7 series sensor. It concerns using VM-mount lenses via an adapter. As you know, not all VM-mount lenses (Voigtländer M-mount lenses) are available in Sony-E mount versions. For example, I'm hoping for an E-mount version of the Color-skopar 50mm f/2.2 lens released last year, but I suspect that won't happen. Therefore, I'm considering acquiring a VM-mount version, but will that result in poor performance on a Sony body?
Actually, for the past few years, I've been using Rokkor lenses from half a century ago on my Sony camera via an adapter. With standard lenses like 55mm and 58mm, I've been getting almost perfectly satisfactory images. However, naturally, at angles around 20mm, the lens performance itself was poor (severe distortion and vignetting, etc.). That's why I was so happy to acquire a lens like the Color-skopar 21mm f/3.5.
I used Leica M and Voigtländer VM wide-angle lenses with Sony E-mount cameras via an adapter and was plagued by degraded peripheral image quality and magenta tinting. It wasn't until several years ago that I finally understood the structural reasons for this. Would it be possible for me to obtain relatively satisfactory images with VM or M-type 50mm class standard lenses? Incidentally, the M-mount Rokkor 90mm f/4 lens produces surprisingly good images (though not the fastest) on Sony α7 series bodies.
p.54 #3 · Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Review
Hi Tim,
I appreciate you providing such a detailed explanation, even though I joined this online discussion forum late. I carefully read the detailed explanation page and understood the content. In my case, for most purposes, I convert TIFF data to monochrome and then process it in Photoshop before moving on to photogravure production. So, in reality, the edges of the image are not affected much, but I now understand why the edges of the image were always so unsatisfactory. So the combination of lens and body was the deciding factor. I'm glad I was able to join this thread.
May 04, 2026 at 04:23 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.54 #4 · Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Review
Escapist2436 wrote:
I have a question regarding the Sony α7 series sensor. It concerns using VM-mount lenses via an adapter. As you know, not all VM-mount lenses (Voigtländer M-mount lenses) are available in Sony-E mount versions. For example, I'm hoping for an E-mount version of the Color-skopar 50mm f/2.2 lens released last year, but I suspect that won't happen. Therefore, I'm considering acquiring a VM-mount version, but will that result in poor performance on a Sony body?
Actually, for the past few years, I've been using Rokkor lenses from half a century ago on my Sony camera via an adapter. With standard lenses like 55mm and 58mm, I've been getting almost perfectly satisfactory images. However, naturally, at angles around 20mm, the lens performance itself was poor (severe distortion and vignetting, etc.). That's why I was so happy to acquire a lens like the Color-skopar 21mm f/3.5.
I used Leica M and Voigtländer VM wide-angle lenses with Sony E-mount cameras via an adapter and was plagued by degraded peripheral image quality and magenta tinting. It wasn't until several years ago that I finally understood the structural reasons for this. Would it be possible for me to obtain relatively satisfactory images with VM or M-type 50mm class standard lenses? Incidentally, the M-mount Rokkor 90mm f/4 lens produces surprisingly good images (though not the fastest) on Sony α7 series bodies.
Let me answer your question a little more specifically and with a little more subjectivity. There are lots of 50mm lenses that work well with Sony mirrorless cameras, but lots that do not. There are actually more that do not, IMO, but here are some that definitely do. First, Voigtlander makes 3 faster lenses that they have adjusted for the Sony sensor stack and come in Sony E mount. They are the 50 f/1 (if you want a super fast lens), the 50 f/1.2, and the 50 f/2 APO (a bit slower but the best corrected for aberrations). If you can live with a bit slower lens, then their 50 f/3.5 APO in Leica M mount also works without issues on Sony E mount. These are all excellent option, IMO, on Sony E mount. You can also check out the reviews at philipreeve.net and see there are some interesting other options that can be a little cheaper all with different pluses and minuses.
Personally, I like the Voigtlander options and have owned the 50 f/1.2 (3 copies all of which performed well) and the 50 f/2 APO (2 copies both of which performed well). I plan to get the 50 f/3.5 APO sometime in the future but have no personal experience with that lens or the 50 f/1.
My take is at 50mm it is still a good thing to mostly get lenses that have been made specifically for the Sony E mount and have been adjusted for the thicker sensor cover glass if you want to shoot at wider apertures. Not everyone agrees with that point of view, but it is my take.
p.54 #5 · Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Review
Hi Steve,
I see, I also like the characteristics of Voigtländer lenses. The company's response is very sincere, and as a fellow countryman, I feel a sense of trust in them. Yes, the APO series in particular has outstanding image quality. The Apo-Lanther 65mm f2 is a benchmark lens for me.
On the other hand, these lenses are so high-performance that they feel too refined for the kind of expression I'm aiming for. That's why I've deliberately continued to use older lenses with aberrations. Therefore, even within the same Voigtlander lens series, I find myself drawn to lenses like the Heliar 50mm f1.5 and the Colorskopar 50mm f2.2. Furthermore, I'm disappointed that Voigtländer's lens exterior designs have been changing since their full-scale expansion into the Nikon Z series. I like the early E-mount lenses. That's because I liked the "hills and valleys" helicoid design of the old Nikkor lenses. For that reason, I also like the exterior of the Color Skopar 21mm f3.5E.
However, after carefully reading your advice, I've come to the conclusion that using Sony's genuine lenses is the most reliable option if you want consistent image quality. Thank you for your advice.
p.54 #6 · Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Review
Escapist2436 wrote:
I have a question regarding the Sony α7 series sensor. It concerns using VM-mount lenses via an adapter. As you know, not all VM-mount lenses (Voigtländer M-mount lenses) are available in Sony-E mount versions. For example, I'm hoping for an E-mount version of the Color-skopar 50mm f/2.2 lens released last year, but I suspect that won't happen. Therefore, I'm considering acquiring a VM-mount version, but will that result in poor performance on a Sony body?
Actually, for the past few years, I've been using Rokkor lenses from half a century ago on my Sony camera via an adapter. With standard lenses like 55mm and 58mm, I've been getting almost perfectly satisfactory images. However, naturally, at angles around 20mm, the lens performance itself was poor (severe distortion and vignetting, etc.). That's why I was so happy to acquire a lens like the Color-skopar 21mm f/3.5.
I used Leica M and Voigtländer VM wide-angle lenses with Sony E-mount cameras via an adapter and was plagued by degraded peripheral image quality and magenta tinting. It wasn't until several years ago that I finally understood the structural reasons for this. Would it be possible for me to obtain relatively satisfactory images with VM or M-type 50mm class standard lenses? Incidentally, the M-mount Rokkor 90mm f/4 lens produces surprisingly good images (though not the fastest) on Sony α7 series bodies....Show more →
I have not updated this thread in quite some time, but here is a list of Voigtlander lenses that perform particularly well on the thicker Sony sensor stack when adapted: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1647789/
I plan to continue adding more lenses to the list. One recent addition that adapts surprisingly well is the CV 75mm f/2.8 APO-Skopar, and I am hopeful the upcoming CV 90mm f/4 APO-Lanthar will perform just as well.
p.54 #7 · Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Review
Fred,
Thank you for your comment.
The latest 75mm APO lens looks like it will deliver amazing performance. Their lenses at this focal length have always been outstanding. About 18 years ago, I used a Heliar 75mm f/2.5 SL2 lens manufactured for Nikon mount, mounted on a digital Nikon at the time, mainly for product photography. I was never disappointed by the results it produced. With the latest engineering technology incorporated, it must offer truly remarkable performance.
In any case, just like diving in swimming, this would be advantageous for medium to telephoto lenses that can input light at an angle as close to perpendicular as possible to the thick sensor area. That's why I'm so captivated by the image quality of my 40-year-old Minolta Rokkor-M mount 90mm f/4 lens.
Although it's a lens with a relatively low f-number, I'm always struck by its wonderful sense of depth and vibrant colors.
Personally, I'm hoping for a compact and easy-to-handle 50mm lens for the Sony mount, but in that case, I might just be getting an f/2.4 lens from the Sony-G series.
