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Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2

  
 
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2
The Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic is in-stock at B&H Photo, CameraQuest and Amazon

B&H Photo | CameraQuest | Amazon

_____________________


As a landscape photographer, I’m drawn to the special quality of lenses like the Loxia 35/2 and Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton, in respect to color rendering, sunstar definition, flare resistance and of course resolution and contrast at infinity distance.

These lenses also shine at wide apertures for environment portraits and other applications that benefit from a narrow depth of field. The Loxia is a capable lens when stopped down and the 40/1.2 follows similar characteristics although medium apertures satisfy demands for sharpness across the entire field.

How does the Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic E-mount perform in comparison?



Reviews on this lens are scarce and it's fair to say it wasn’t very well received here - in the US market.

The out of focus rendering is a bit rough but some people might appreciate the classic rendering with strong specular highlights' outlining and structural/harsh rendition.


How about using it for landscape photography?

After taking a look at these three lenses side by side under the same lighting conditions, my conclusion might surprise you.
The Loxia 35 and especially the CV 40/1.2 are stronger at wider apertures.
The tiny 35/1.4 competes well at f/5.6 for almost the entire field.
And, the f/8 is sharp across the frame, including the extreme edges.
Still not as good as the other contenders but effective enough despite the "Classic" nomenclature.

Enough talking...Let's see some comparisons at infinity distance.

Here is the full image thumbnail showing the areas demonstrated at 1:1 magnification.

  1. Distance: Infinity
  2. Focus: Center - Best of three @ 12.4x magnification
  3. WB: Daylight for both lenses
  4. All Lenses perfectly centered using my decentering test
  5. Software: Lightroom FM Default Landscape Sharpening. All other settings set to default
    PS: Vignetting and distortion NOT corrected



Center resolution comparison between Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2:






Center @f/2.8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - The Voigtlander 35/1.4 is actually ahead here!







Center @f/4: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - They are now very similar and the Loxia has a bit more micro-contrast







Center @f/5.6: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - Similar with Loxia slightly ahead







Center @f/8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - Both diffract and are pretty much equal at this aperture




Oct 21, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Mid-field comparison between Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2:






Mid-zone @f/2.8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - Both a bit weak at this aperture







Mid-zone @f/4: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - Both improve greatly at f/4







Mid-zone@f/5.6: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - Very similar







Mid-zone @f/8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - Very similar




Oct 21, 2018 at 01:01 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Extreme corners comparison between Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2:






Extreme edge @f/2.8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - At the extreme corner, the Loxia is much ahead. Notice, I have a super copy of the Loxia 35/2 as most are mushy at f/2.8 at the very edges. So keep that in mind.







Extreme edge @f/4: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - Loxia is still killing here







Extreme edge @f/5.6: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - start to get interesting as only the very edges are not good for the Voigtlander







Extreme edge @f/8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Loxia 35/2 - It's a miracle and the Voigtlander improves a lot and gets competitive with the Loxia 35




Oct 21, 2018 at 01:02 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Center comparison between Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton:






Center @f/2.8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Similar performance







Center @f/4: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Similar performance with perhaps the 'Classic' very slightly ahead







Center @f/5.6: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Similar performance with perhaps the 'Classic' very slightly ahead







Center @f/8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Both diffract. Similar performance




Oct 21, 2018 at 01:04 PM
azhenley
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Which one are you going to keep?


Oct 21, 2018 at 01:04 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Mid-zone comparison between Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton:






Mid-zone @f/2.8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Here the 40/1.2 is clearly ahead







Mid-zone @f/4: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - The 35/1.4 improves greatly and they are almost equal now







Mid-zone @f/5.6: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Very similar







Mid-zone @f/8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Very similar




Oct 21, 2018 at 01:05 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Extreme corner comparison between Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton:






Extreme edge @f/2.8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - Here the 40/1.2 is killing







Extreme edge @f/4: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - 40/1.2 is still killing







Extreme edge @f/5.6: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - The 35/1.4 Classic shows some signs of live. Corners are great but extreme corners not so much







Extreme edge @f/8: Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic vs Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton - The Classic improves consideratly and it's now a contender




Oct 21, 2018 at 01:06 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


In my view, all three lenses are great choices for landscape photography when shooting at f/8 or smaller apertures. Before trying the Voigtlander 35/1.4 Classic, I wasn't even considering it but now believe it's also a great choice when packing light.

They all have great resolution, contrast, well-defined nice sunstar, great color rendering and flare resistance.

Keep in mind there seem to be some variation with all these lenses but I'm confident the ones presented here are great copies. (Tried numerous copies of the CV 40/1.2 and Loxia 35 and perhaps got lucky with the Classic at first try)

The CV 35/1.4 Classic is the smallest and lightest of the bunch weighing only 259g. In comparison, the Loxia is 332g and the CV 40/1.2 is 410g.

After reviewing these infinity crops, what's your conclusion?



Oct 21, 2018 at 01:40 PM
DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Looks very good to me. I haven't tried my 35/1.4 at infinity - indeed no more than 2m or so from the camera - but my thought was that it's a very good "standard" 35 when stopped down. I don't remember the corners being so smeared at larger apertures; I'll have a look to see whether I have something around f/4-5.6 that's not a tight closeup and see what I find.


Oct 21, 2018 at 02:23 PM
LeeRatters
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Extreme corners of the CV35 look very similar to my CV40/1.4 at those apertures - At smaller apertures that improves a fair amount.

I'm still thinking of the E mount 40/1.2 though.....?!?



Oct 21, 2018 at 02:42 PM
 


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GMPhotography
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


If it can’t beat my Loxia at 5.6 I’m staying pat with it. I have the CV 50 1.2 for funky


Oct 21, 2018 at 03:07 PM
Uncle Chip
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Best thing about this comparison is that it has shocked Fred, this and the 21 can make for a super compact set,

Fred, where you want subject separation so the corners don’t matter, how do you think the 35 will hold up for say portraits?



Oct 21, 2018 at 03:07 PM
GMPhotography
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


It actually be better for portraits because of the corner fall off.


Oct 21, 2018 at 03:16 PM
DavidBM
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Uncle Chip wrote:
Best thing about this comparison is that it has shocked Fred, this and the 21 can make for a super compact set,

Fred, where you want subject separation so the corners don’t matter, how do you think the 35 will hold up for say portraits?


For portraits it’s a matter of taste.
Both have funky rendering at wide “portrait” apertures, so it’s pick your preferred funkiness. (Of course there is an extra stop for the cv). The Loxia has a lovely and not so funky look from f2.8 (don’t know about the cv)



Oct 21, 2018 at 03:30 PM
azhenley
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Think I’ll put in an order for the 40. It will pair with the 21 better than the 35 would.


Oct 21, 2018 at 05:35 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


GMPhotography wrote:
If it can’t beat my Loxia at 5.6 I’m staying pat with it. I have the CV 50 1.2 for funky


If f/5.6 across the entire frame, including the extreme corners is a must, the CV 35/1.4 may be out for you. However most Loxias I've tried are only great at the very edges at f/8 or f/9 as well. This copy was actually an exception.

Do other Loxia 35 owners agree?



Oct 21, 2018 at 06:21 PM
DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


I was wondering about those Lox 35 corners. Mine isn't at its best for landscape till f/8 or even a little more.


Oct 21, 2018 at 06:26 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
I was wondering about those Lox 35 corners. Mine isn't at its best for landscape till f/8 or even a little more.


Yes, I am not sure how this copy is so good Dan. Even at f/2, the corners are sharp! (with some haze)
I've tried at least five copies of this lens and they all needed f/8-10 for the extreme corners.



Oct 21, 2018 at 06:43 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Uncle Chip wrote:
Best thing about this comparison is that it has shocked Fred, this and the 21 can make for a super compact set,

Fred, where you want subject separation so the corners don’t matter, how do you think the 35 will hold up for say portraits?


The 35/1.4 Classic can definitely be used for environment portraits but keep in mind that OOF rendering is technically atrocious.
Think about everything that most people love about bokeh rendering and this lens goes the opposite direction. It's harsh, structural, double-liney and distracting...

...Having said that, artistically, I think it has its place and love its uniqueness. It's one of the reasons I will be keeping this lens.
My iPhone can never copy that!

Here are sample samples.
Warning: If you are a bokeh purist, leave the room right now!










































Oct 21, 2018 at 06:50 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Comparison: Voigtlander 35/1.4, Loxia 35/2 & Voigtlander 40/1.2


Few more...

















Oct 21, 2018 at 06:51 PM
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