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Order the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar:
CameraQuest | B&H Photo | Adorama ($1,049)
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Review Quick Links:- About the lens
- Infinity Performance compared to Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA
- Flare resistance
- Specular Highlights (Bokeh balls)
- Resolution, Contrast and Color Aberration compared to Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2
- Rendering compared to Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA
- Sunstar rendering compared to Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 Nokton
- Infinity Performance compared to Voigtlander 65/2 APO-Lanthar
- Minimal Focus Distance performance (MFD)
- Distortion
- Coma (Sagittal Flare)
- CA Correction (Longitudinal and lateral CA)
- Final Thoughts
- Sample Images 1
Additional comparisons:- Resolution test at infinity distance: Voigtlander 50/2 APO vs Sony FE 55/1.8 ZA
- Resolution test at infinity distance: Voigtlander 50/2 APO vs Loxia 50/2 by @olalafoto
Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO Sample Images from FM Members:- Sample 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 by @rji2goleez
- Sample 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 by @alphanumeric
- Sample 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 by @realVivek
- Sample 1, 2 by @theacguy71
- Sample 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 by @olalafoto
- Sample 1, 2 by @tsdevine
- Sample 1, 2 by @rps_23
- Sample 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 by @philip_pj
- Sample 1 by @genji
- Sample 1, 2 by @cwnchkn
- Sample 1, 2, 3 by @stjepan
- Sample 1 by @Phillip Reeve
- Sample 1, 2 by @lunar module
- Sample 1 by @johnahill
About the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar lens:
Sony A7R IV sensor has finally found its soul mate!
The Voigtlander 50mm f/2 is the third APO-Lanthar lens released for the Sony E-mount. Although not a macro lens like the Voigtlander 65mm f/2 and 110mm f/2.5 Macro APO-Lanthar, it's compact and weighs only 361 grams (measured).
Inheriting the apochromatic optical design, the Voigtlander 50/2 APO is highly corrected to eliminate optical aberrations including longitudinal chromatic aberration.
Its optical design consists of 10 elements in 8 groups with two (2) double sided aspherical elements, five (5) with anomalous partial dispersion and an integrated floating-focus system.
The Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar is a great balance between optical performance and compactness. It addition, the newly designed 12-aperture blade employs a special shape that becomes completely circular not only wide open, but also at f/2.8.
Full Specifications:
Lens hood included: The lens comes with two (2) caps, one for the lens (49mm) and another for the hood (58mm)
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Infinity Performance compared to Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA
I consider the Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA one of the sharpest 50mm lenses on the market (If not the sharpest at center). However, the resolution peak is only available at dead center. When inspecting image off-axis (away from center) resolution drops drastically, especially towards the mid-field at wide apertures. At the extreme corners resolution improves again.
How does the new Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-LANTHAR compare? Here are some 100% crops showing center, mid-field and extreme corner areas.
My CV 50mm f/2 APO review copy is perfectly symmetric and so is the FE 50/1.4 ZA.
Here is the full image thumbnail showing the area demonstrated at 1:1 magnification.
- Distance: Infinity
- Camera: Sony A7R IV
- Focus: Center - Best of three @ 12.4x magnification
- WB: Daylight
- Lens perfectly centered using my decentering test
- Software: Lightroom with my default landscape sharpening. All other settings set to default
PS: Vignetting and distortion were NOT corrected. All in-camera corrections turned 'off'.
Center Resolution and Contrast:
The CV 50/2 APO came very close to the FE 50/1.4 ZA @f/2 on this crop. Considering the Voigtlander is wide open, it's a superb performance.
Already at f/2.5, the Voigtlander matches the Sony.
Equal at f/2.8. Any perceivable differences are probably due to lighting.
Equal at f/4.
At f/5.6, the Voigtlander starts to pull slightly ahead.
Both diffract at f/8 but the Voigtlander seems to retain more micro-contrast.
Mid-field Resolution and Contrast:
Notice above: mid-field performance is the Sony 50/1.4 ZA Achilles' heel. On the A7R IV, the discrepancy between center and mid-field resolution is even more evident. This is not a copy issue as I've tested half of dozen copies of this lens and they all perform the same way. It is not due to field curvature as focusing at mid-field does not improve. On the other hand, the Voigtlander 50/2 APO does something remarkable. It retains high resolution and contrast at mid-field even wide open. Very few 50mm lenses have this capability.
The Sony improves at f/2.5 and so does the Voigtlander.
At f/2.8, mid-field performance is not as troublesome for the Sony anymore but the Voigtlander still performs way better.
Both lenses slightly improve. Sony lags behind.
At f/5.6 not much changes.
Diffraction reduces micro-contrast for both lenses.
Extreme Corner Resolution and Contrast:
Both very good at f/2 at the extreme corners. The Voigtlander has higher vignetting at f/2 but I prefer its color rendering (subjective)
At f/2.5, both lenses slightly improve.
Similar to f/2.5.
Strong performance for both lenses at f/4.
The Voigtlander pulls ahead at f/5.6.
At f/8, both diffract.
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Flare Resistance:
After testing the CV 50/2 APO against the light, flare resistance is solid with minimal ghosting. Undetectable veiling flare and when compared to other lenses like the CV 40/1.2 Nokton -- veiling resistance seems to be a strength.
Here is a comparison between CV 50/2 APO vs CV 40/1.2 Nokton at sunrise. (Both at f/5.6 and focused at infinity)
TOP image (CV 50/2 APO) | BOTTOM image (CV 40/1.2 Nokton) | Both at f/5.6.
1:1 crop from image above showing the area focused at infinity distance.
1:1 crop from image above indicates improved veiling flare resistance for the CV 50/2 APO but scattered ghosting spots are noticeable.
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Specular Highlights (Bokeh balls):
The Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar is equipped with a new aperture mechanism that promises perfectly circular specular highlights at f/2 (wide open) as well as f/2.8. I compared bokeh balls at these apertures next to intermediate ones. Since it's almost Christmas, it was a perfect time for this test. 
f/2 to f/2.2
f/2 to f/2.2
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame from image above. Wide open at f/2, specular highlights are circular but appear oval towards the edges due to optical vignetting (cat-eye shape).
f/2.2 to f/2.5
f/2.2 to f/2.5
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame from image above.
f/2.5 to f/2.8
f/2.5 to f/2.8
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame. That's the magic of the new aperture mechanism: f/2.8 also looks circular.
All apertures smaller than f/2.8 won't look perfectly circular any longer except for f/11.
f/2.8 to f/3.2
f/2.8 to f/3.2
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame from image above.
f/3.2 to f/3.5
f/3.2 to f/3.5
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame from image above.
f/3.5 to f/4
f/3.5 to f/4
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame from image above.
f/4 to f/5.6
f/4 to f/5.6
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame from image above.
f/5.6 to f/8
f/5.6 to f/8:
1:2 crop -- right edge of the frame from image above.
These final two images demonstrate perfectly circular specular highlights at f/2 and f/2.8 at center:
Voigtlander 50/2 @ f/2
Voigtlander 50/2 @ f/2.8
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Resolution, Contrast and Color Aberration compared to Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2:
Thumbnail showing area of magnification (Subject distance: 30 feet / 9 meters distance)
1:1 magnification from image above: The CV 40/1.2 @f/2.8 just can't keep up with the CV 50/2 APO off axis. The latter is capable of capturing very fine detail with high contrast.
1:1 magnification from image above: The CV 40/1.2 @f/5.6 improves drastically but still can't compete neck to neck with the new APO-Lanthar.
Thumbnail showing area of magnification (Subject: 30 feet / 9 meters distance)
1:1 magnification from the image above: The CV 50/2 APO shows its strength in color aberration correction. Even at f/2.8, the CV 40/1.2 is not well corrected for CA.
1:1 magnification from the image above: The CV 40/1.2 closes the gap in resolution/contrast and CA correction but still does not close to the CV 50/2 APO.
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Rendering compared to Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA:
In my opinion, the Sony FE 50/1.4 ZA has a nice balance between resolution and rendering. In other words, the correction for spherical aberration (SA) is just right providing neutral rendering where foreground and background are similarly smooth. The Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO renders similarly since it's not under-corrected for spherical aberration either.
Lenses like the 40 and 50mm f/1.2 Nokton will have smoother rendering, especially at closer distance where SA is strongest.
The samples below show the area of magnification on the thumbnail, followed by a 1:4 magnified crop.
(Vignetting and chomactic aberration not corrected in post)
Distance from focused area 3.86m
1:4 Magnification
Distance from focused area 1.04m
1:4 Magnification
Distance from focused area 1.72m
1:4 Magnification
Distance from focused area 2.31m
1:4 Magnification
Distance from focused area 2.52m
1:4 Magnification
Distance from focused area 0.69m
Focused area
1:4 Magnification
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Sunstar rendering compared to Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 Nokton:
The CV 50/2 APO's newly designed 12-aperture blade employs a special shape that becomes completely circular not only at f/2, but also at f/2.8, but how does that work for sunstars?
Sunrise side-by-side comparison between the Voigtlander 50/2 APO (12-blade hybrid aperture) versus Voigtlander 40/1.2 Nokton (10-straight-blade aperture)
Voigtlander 40/1.2 @f/2 (TOP) | Voigtlander 50/2 @f/2 (BOTTOM)
This result is expected since the Voigtlander is wide open and the aperture is fully circular.
Voigtlander 40/1.2 @f/2.8 (TOP) | Voigtlander 50/2 @f/2.8 (BOTTOM)
This result is expected since the new Voigtlander has a fully circular aperture at f/2.8.
Voigtlander 40/1.2 @f/4 (TOP) | Voigtlander 50/2 @f/4 (BOTTOM)
Both lenses show similar sunstar rendering. (The 40/1.2's is slightly more defined though)
The Voigtlander 40/1.2's sunstar has 10 points and the 50/2 APO has 12.
Voigtlander 40/1.2 @f/5.6 (TOP) | Voigtlander 50/2 @f/5.6 (BOTTOM)
Voigtlander 40/1.2 @f/8 (TOP) | Voigtlander 50/2 @f/8 (BOTTOM)
Sunstar shape for the CV 50/2 APO in third aperture increments:
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Infinity Performance compared to Voigtlander 65/2 APO-Lanthar
The Voigtlander 65mm f/2 APO-Lanthar Macro is one of the top lenses for the Sony E-mount. This lens is capable of extremely high resolution across the frame and many of us are wondering how the new CV 50/2 APO-Lanthar compares.
The CV 65/2 APO has the advantage being a longer focal length but to my surprise the Voigtlander 50/2 APO competed neck to neck and in many instances outperformed it.
Image thumbnail with area demonstrated at 1:1 magnification:
- Distance: Infinity
- Camera: Sony A7R IV
- Focus: Center - Best of three @ 12.4x magnification
- WB: Daylight
- Lens perfectly centered using my decentering test
- Software: Lightroom with my default landscape sharpening. All other settings set to default
PS: Vignetting* and distortion were NOT corrected. All in-camera corrections turned 'off'.
Center Resolution and Contrast:
Both lenses are similar at center wide-open which means very strong performance for the CV 50/2 APO since it is a shorter focal length.
f/2.8: Minor resolution improvement for both lenses.
f/4: No noticeable differences
f/5.6: Similar, no noticeable differences
f/8: Slight diffraction only visible at center. Both lenses still holding on to detail.
Mid-field Resolution and Contrast:
f/2: Surprising results. The CV 50/2 APO is slightly better at f/2 (mid-field). This is outstanding performance.
f/2.8: Minor changes for both lenses. Possibly the optimal aperture for the mid-field.
f/8: Some diffraction but still strong mid-field performance for both lenses.
Extreme Corner Resolution and Contrast:
f/2: Excellent at extreme corners on both. However, the CV 50/2 APO performs slightly better.
*The CV 50/2 APO crop is noisier because I increased exposure in post to compensate for its stronger vignetting.
f/2.8: Both similar but more detail and contrast for the 50/2 APO.
f/4: The CV 65/2 shows improvement, however, the CV 50/2 APO still performs slighlyl better.
f/5.6: Strong performance for both lenses.
f/8: Some diffraction but still strong extreme corner performance for both lenses.
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Minimal Focus Distance performance (MFD)
Although not a macro lens with a maximum magnification of only 1:6.4 (~0.16x) and 0.45m minimal focus distance (MFD), the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO Lanthar puts out an impressive performance at MFD. It's already optimal wide open at f/2, and when stepping it down to f/2.8 and f/4, there only minimal improvement at center.
Now we have outstanding performance at infinity as well as MFD thanks to the lens' floating element system.
With the addition of a 5+ Achromat diopter close-up filter (Like the one from Marumi), the CV 50/2 APO could achieve almost 1:2 Macro. (0.44x)
Thumbnail showing the area of magnification.
1:1 crop at center: f/2 (Left) | f/2.8 (Right)
1:1 crop at center: f/2 (Left) | f/4 (Right)
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Distortion
The Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar has negligible distortion. In Lightroom a very small "-2" pincushion correction makes it perfect.
TOP: no correction | BOTTOM: pincushion correction.
Amount of correction in Lightroom.
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Coma (Sagittal Flare)
The CV 50/2 APO is highly corrected for coma from wide open.
Here is a comparison showing f/2 (LEFT) vs f/2.8 (RIGHT)
f/2 (LEFT) | f/2.8 (RIGHT)
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CA Correction (Longitudinal and lateral CA)
The CV 50/2 is highly corrected for color aberration (lateral and longitudinal) but under extreme conditions, both CV 65/2 and CV 110/2.5 APO-Lanthar lenses are better corrected.
Having said that, although not perfect, the level of CA correction is one of the best on the market for a 50mm lens.
Here is an example:
Resized test image
1:1 crop from image above: Axial CA is noticeable: Green (behind the focused area), Magenta (in front of focused area)
1:1 crop from image above: Axial CA is noticeable: Green (behind the focused area), Magenta (in front of focused area)
Lateral CA is well corrected and negligible. Keep in mind: When editing the RAW images in Lightroom, there is an automated built-in profile applied to the RAW images.
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Final Thoughts:
Small but mighty Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar is one of the best 50mm lenses on the market!
The highly anticipated Voigtlander 50/2 APO-Lanthar hits the market and scores a huge win for the Sony E-mount.
After putting the apochromatic 50mm lens under great scrutiny, it delivered exceptional performance while maintaining IQ at all distances. At infinity and wide open, it is already excellent across the entire image field and basically achieves perfection one stop down at f/2.8. It matches and in some cases exceeds the outstanding resolution from lenses like the Voigtlander 65/2 APO-Lanthar and Sony 50/1.4 ZA, making it a perfect companion to the Sony A7R IV 60MP sensor!
At minimal focus distance, it's impeccable from wide open, thanks to the floating element (FLE) system. All of this while delivering smooth and neutral rendering.
The lack of color aberration, high resolution/contrast and normal focal length, makes it a solid option as a walk-around lens for street, portraits and landscapes. The Voigtlander 50/2 APO-Lanthar is compact, light and has superb image quality. If you are a Sony shooter you need to do everything in your power to get ahold of this lens as soon as possible. I don't know how I can be more clear: This is the absolute soul-mate to the Sony 60MP sensor.
Pros:- Superb resolution from wide open across the field. The lens is optimal at f/2.8-4 showing only a slight improvement in resolution and contrast compared to wide open.
- Smooth transition zone delivering pleasant rendering at close and mid-distance. (Not as smooth as CV 50/1.2 Nokton but rendering is never harsh)
- The new 12-blade mechanism provides round bokeh balls with clean inner structure at f/2 and f/2.8. (No visible onion ring pattern)
- Outstanding Minimal Focus Distance performance: The floating group design delivers stunning images at all distances from MFD to infinity.
- Very well corrected for axial CA, although I still see traces of green/magenta color error under extreme conditions. Negligible lateral CA.
- Compact and light (361g)
- Very easy and convenient aperture de-clicking for video.
- Great build quality with tight tolerance construction.
- Distance encoder provides 5-axis IBIS.
- Zero focus shift.
- Neglegible Field Curvature. It's a flat-field lens.
- Well defined 12-pointed sunstars starting at f/4.5
- Precise manual focus and well damped focusing rotation.
- Flare resistance is above average for a lens in its class.
Cons:- It does not quite match the longitudinal CA correction from the 65mm and 110mm APO-Lanthar E-mount lenses.
- Optical vignetting renders "cat-eye" bokeh balls towards the corners.
- Very slight pincushion distortion.
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Order the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar: CameraQuest | B&H Photo | Adorama
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