p.1 #1 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
Since I've purchased the Voigtlander 50/3.5 Heliar, I've been impressed by its performance considering its price and size. (original CV 50/3.5 thread)
I was curious how it compared to some of my other lenses and tested it against the Sony FE 50/1.4 ZA and Voigtlander 40/1.2 E-mount Nokton at infinity distance.
Here are the results:
1) At f/4: The 50/1.4 is the clear winner at center and extreme corners but the CV 40/1.2 performs better at mid-zone. The CV 50/3.5 mid-zone is slightly better than the 50/1.4 and slightly worse than the CV 40/1.2 (performing right in between them). This is not surprising as the 50/1.4 ZA is superb except for a slight mid-zone dip which many don't even find that noticeable.
FE 50/1.4 is the winner at the corners at f/5.6 but the CV 50/3.5 catches up and does slightly better at f/8. (f/8 crops on this thread's second post)
The CV 50/3.5 mid-zone is slightly better than the 50/1.4 ZA:
2) At center, the 50/3.5 gets close to the 50/1.4 starting at f/5.6 but the 50/1.4 ZA has slightly better corners (At f/8 they are pretty much equal). The CV 40/1.2 can't quite keep up with either 50/1.4 ZA or CV 50/3.5 at center.
The CV 50/3.5 matches the 50/1.4 starting at f/5.6:
The CV 40/1.2 can't quite keep up with either 50/1.4 ZA or CV 50/3.5 at center:
3) The 40/1.2 has the worst corners compared to the other two lenses but it's acceptable starting at f/4-f/5.6 (it does not improved stopping further). The 40/1.2 has the best mid-zone and similar center to the other two starting at f/4.
The 40/1.2 has the best mid-zone and similar center to the other two starting at f/4:
4) The CV 50/3.5 slight wavy field curvature is only noticeable wide open. By f/5.6, it's pretty much masked.
CV 50/3.5 Wavy field curvature. (mid-zone weaker than center and extreme edges when focused at center)
5) All 3 lenses have superb contrast and color rendering
6) At f/8, the CV 50/3.5 is the clear winner to me as it keeps improving from f/4 and f/5.6. The CV 40/1.2 matches the CV 50/3.5 mid-field but it's slight behind at center and noticeable behind at the extreme corners. (See f/8 crops on the second post)
All in all, three great lenses. I prefer the 40/1.2 for landscapes as it gaps better with my GM 24/1.4. The 50/3.5 is one of the best 50mm lenses on the market and I would not hesitate using it for landscapes if someone comes up with a superb 28mm.
p.1 #8 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
Fred Miranda wrote:
Along with that new CV 28 E-mount, it would be nice to get a CV 50/3.5 for the Sony with Exif, 5-axis IBIS and a modern barrel.
A certain Californian review of lenses behind a paywall with good connections to Zeiss talked in a recent article about Loxia and Batis lenses about the "as yet unreleased 28mm". Now he likely just is hoping like some of us are for a 28mm lens, but there was just something about how he said it that made me suspect a hint. Presumably he can't know anything for sure, because of the old rule "he who knows is under NDA, he who does not know can crap on all they like" but it's just possible that it could be a hint passed on....
p.1 #9 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
DavidBM wrote:
A certain Californian review of lenses behind a paywall with good connections to Zeiss talked in a recent article about Loxia and Batis lenses about the "as yet unreleased 28mm". Now he likely just is hoping like some of us are for a 28mm lens, but there was just something about how he said it that made me suspect a hint. Presumably he can't know anything for sure, because of the old rule "he who knows is under NDA, he who does not know can crap on all they like" but it's just possible that it could be a hint passed on.......Show more →
I am hoping for a Loxia 28 but wouldn't mind a Batis.
p.1 #10 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
Fred Miranda wrote:
Along with that new CV 28 E-mount, it would be nice to get a CV 50/3.5 for the Sony with Exif, 5-axis IBIS and a modern barrel.
I also have been hoping for a native e-mount CV 50/3.5 based on this one (hopefully keeping it small and fixing the handling issues) along with that missing 28mm. I find the rendering to have great sense of depth / 3D-feel. Not sure if this 50/3.5 is popular enough to make them consider it though.
I also have all the 3 lenses you tested here, my 50/1.4 is mainly dedicated for events / people shots while 40/1.2 and 50/3.5 get used for general walk-around shooting.
p.1 #11 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
Fred Miranda wrote:
Lenses compared at f/8:
The Sony 50/1.4 is a splendid lens. Great for events and portrait work. At the same time it is excellent for landscapes. On top of that hardly any CAs visible. Even at f8 I can see still some in the 50/f3.5 lens and a lot of them in the Voigtlander.
p.1 #12 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
I知 going to keep both 50s. The 50 1.4 dedicated to the AF kit and the CV 50 3.5 will go in my MF kit. But that creates a problem I go 21/50 in the MF kit if I decide to sell my CV40. Here is the rub if I知 doing people I知 more adept to grab my 50 1.4 for the AF but also it has a gorgeous look like the CV 40 maybe even better. This kind of leaves the 40 in limbo which is bugging me as what I really need in that MF kit is a 28. I had thoughts on the Artisian 28 1.4 which is a funky lens but don稚 know if F8 really has the full resolution for landscape.
I need first put the these three lenses Fred did here as I have the same three and just see how this CV 50 feels functionally. I know image wise no issue but could be a pain to work with. I love the 40 but I知 not so enamoured by it as some. I felt the CV 50 1.2 was better actually
I知 going to slap all three against Big Bronco Saturday morning and give them a run. The CV will be here tomorrow but today I値l have my CV 12mm filter system figured out after I go play some golf. Just waiting on more parts.
Feb 07, 2019 at 08:10 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #13 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
Any idea how the CV 40 f/2.8 that is sort of made for E mount compares? That is such a tiny lens and it gaps well with my current set up that I am quite interested in its performance. Fred have you put it through the paces on this type of test?
p.1 #14 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
GMPhotography wrote:
I知 going to keep both 50s. The 50 1.4 dedicated to the AF kit and the CV 50 3.5 will go in my MF kit. But that creates a problem I go 21/50 in the MF kit if I decide to sell my CV40. Here is the rub if I知 doing people I知 more adept to grab my 50 1.4 for the AF but also it has a gorgeous look like the CV 40 maybe even better. This kind of leaves the 40 in limbo which is bugging me as what I really need in that MF kit is a 28. I had thoughts on the Artisian 28 1.4 which is a funky lens but don稚 know if F8 really has the full resolution for landscape.
I need first put the these three lenses Fred did here as I have the same three and just see how this CV 50 feels functionally. I know image wise no issue but could be a pain to work with. I love the 40 but I知 not so enamoured by it as some. I felt the CV 50 1.2 was better actually
I知 going to slap all three against Big Bronco Saturday morning and give them a run. The CV will be here tomorrow but today I値l have my CV 12mm filter system figured out after I go play some golf. Just waiting on more parts. ...Show more →
p.1 #17 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
Fred Miranda wrote:
All in all, three great lenses. I prefer the 40/1.2 for landscapes as it gaps better with my GM 24/1.4. The 50/3.5 is one of the best 50mm lenses on the market and I would not hesitate using it for landscapes if someone comes up with a superb 28mm.
Thanks for taking the time to do this comparison, Fred! Just when I thought I had all the lenses I could wish for, I stumble upon that 40mm f/1.2 thread... now I want one! That extreme 3D-look combined with the modern sharpness and classic background rendering is just beautiful.
How do the lenses tested here compare in terms of overall rendering for "mixed" photography-some landscapes, some environmental portraits, some travel shots? Coming from someone who tends to either grab a 35 or 50 for these occasions-is the 40mm the most versatile/commendable, or is the IQ of one of the other lenses shown here so much better you'd rather recommend getting that one?
p.1 #18 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
If Sony/Zeiss were smart they would just change the "25" on the Loxia 25/2.4 to a "28"--don't change the lens at all, just relabel it. Then everyone here who hankers for a great 28 would swoon and celebrate until the next thing...
Can you all seriously see a difference between the 26-27mm focal length of the 25 and a 28mm focal length?!
p.1 #19 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
expwmbat wrote:
If Sony/Zeiss were smart they would just change the "25" on the Loxia 25/2.4 to a "28"--don't change the lens at all, just relabel it. Then everyone here who hankers for a great 28 would swoon and celebrate until the next thing...
Can you all seriously see a difference between the 26-27mm focal length of the 25 and a 28mm focal length?!
Cheers,
Daniel
Sometimes? Maybe it depends on the 28 we're used to. I tested the FE 28 f/2, which is close to the Loxia I believe, against my current favorite, an adapted Zeiss 28 f/2, and there was a noticeable difference (the rendering is inferior too but that's another story). Haven't played with the Loxia, though. Admittedly, I ruled it out for the reason you say: it's not a "28."
I think 28 is just an undeserved focal length unless you shoot Nikon or Leica. It's too bad because a lot of us prefer it to 24 and 35. For a mix of portraiture and street photography (which is what I do), it's far and away my most-used focal length.
p.1 #20 · Infinity test: CV 50/3.5 vs CV 40/1.2 vs FE 50/1.4 ZA
Steve Spencer wrote:
Any idea how the CV 40 f/2.8 that is sort of made for E mount compares? That is such a tiny lens and it gaps well with my current set up that I am quite interested in its performance. Fred have you put it through the paces on this type of test?
Yes, I've tested the CV 40/2.8 and loved its rendering as well. However, it is not as sharp as the 50/3.5 at any aperture and the corners are just ok at infinity distance.
The CV 50/3.5 is not only capable of very high resolution and contrast across the field but it's also very flare resistant. Can't ignore the well-defined 10-point sunstar either...Voigtlander hit a home-run with this lens.
You can do it, Cosina!
That extreme 3D-look combined with the modern sharpness and classic background rendering is just beautiful.
