Just wanted to chime in here to say that I really love these. This is just the type of scene where the 50APO shines, and you nailed it. Wish I could like it more than once!
Fescue wrote:
Just wanted to chime in here to say that I really love these. This is just the type of scene where the 50APO shines, and you nailed it. Wish I could like it more than once!
Much appreciated and yes, I can see how the 50 is the lens for this style...I'm forcing myself to use it, and though I know that sounds like an insult to the lens, it's an indictment of my ability to "see" in 50mm.
Fescue wrote:
Just wanted to chime in here to say that I really love these. This is just the type of scene where the 50APO shines, and you nailed it. Wish I could like it more than once!
Hi all,
I have been a silent observer for the past few years and after following this thread, I have finally given in and bought a used Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO for my Sony Alpha. Thanks to all of you for the information and beautiful pictures!
However, I have come across one issue that makes me suspect that something is going on with my used copy. Taking pictures of bright light sources leads to the 12 light rays for the aperture blades (as expected), but also a couple of additional light rays that are much longer and very visible. Even when the light rays themselves are not visible, there still is an additional light "band" that looks like very weird sun flare. I first suspected that it would be internal reflections, but couldn't spot any such additional rays in any picture in this thread or in any other review. I then thought that it could be due to potential smudges on the front and rear glass, but they look fine to me. Could it be micro scratches that cause these reflections? I also spotted a couple of dust particles inside the lens that are visible with the naked eye, but they shouldn't be causing this... I also tested it with my Zony 55mm to check whether it could be sensor related, but it doesn't show this issue
One final observation: when changing the aperture, the 12 regular light rays rotate as expected. The extra light rays do however not change at all, making me suspect that something is going on with this particular copy of the lens.
JulianD wrote:
Hi all,
I have been a silent observer for the past few years and after following this thread, I have finally given in and bought a used Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO for my Sony Alpha. [...]
Hi Julian. I guess this post is to no help for you. I read your message and didn't recognize the problem. Interesting though.
I tried to replicate it using different f-stops (not only f/8) and different angles towards strong light sources including the sun in a lightly foggy situation. As in your picture 1 and 2 respectively.
I couldn't get the extra set of rays like those you showed in the first picture. Then after that I wasn't able to get that strong biblic light from the sun.
On top of this I have no idea what's behind your flare problems. If it's possible for you to send the lens back I think you should do so. I know I wouldn't be happy with it as it really should do much better. Perfection, or near perfection, is after all the reason to buy the 50APO.
Jonas B wrote:
Hi Julian. I guess this post is to no help for you. I read your message and didn't recognize the problem. Interesting though.
I tried to replicate it using different f-stops (not only f/8) and different angles towards strong light sources including the sun in a lightly foggy situation. As in your picture 1 and 2 respectively.
I couldn't get the extra set of rays like those you showed in the first picture. Then after that I wasn't able to get that strong biblic light from the sun.
On top of this I have no idea what's behind your flare problems. If it's possible for you to send the lens back I think you should do so. I know I wouldn't be happy with it as it really should do much better. Perfection, or near perfection, is after all the reason to buy the 50APO. ...Show more →
Hi Jonas,
Thank you so much for attempting to replicate the problem! It is good to know that you couldn‘t replicate the extra rays and that it is normal. I suspect that something is going on with the lens, the exterior also had quite some scratches, but the lenses looked clean. I will return the lens, since — as you said — perfection is the reason to buy the 50 APO
JulianD wrote:
Hi all,
I have been a silent observer for the past few years and after following this thread, I have finally given in and bought a used Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO for my Sony Alpha. Thanks to all of you for the information and beautiful pictures!
However, I have come across one issue that makes me suspect that something is going on with my used copy. Taking pictures of bright light sources leads to the 12 light rays for the aperture blades (as expected), but also a couple of additional light rays that are much longer and very visible. Even when the light rays themselves are not visible, there still is an additional light "band" that looks like very weird sun flare. I first suspected that it would be internal reflections, but couldn't spot any such additional rays in any picture in this thread or in any other review. I then thought that it could be due to potential smudges on the front and rear glass, but they look fine to me. Could it be micro scratches that cause these reflections? I also spotted a couple of dust particles inside the lens that are visible with the naked eye, but they shouldn't be causing this... I also tested it with my Zony 55mm to check whether it could be sensor related, but it doesn't show this issue
One final observation: when changing the aperture, the 12 regular light rays rotate as expected. The extra light rays do however not change at all, making me suspect that something is going on with this particular copy of the lens.
highdesertmesa wrote:
I’ve seen similar results from using UV or protective filters on the lens. Cool effect actually.
Haha, I agree that it could be cool from time to time. Unfortunately, this was without any filters, so I suspect that there were some non-visible issues with some glass elements. I'll be waiting for Black Friday to snatch a new copy at a hopefully discounted price...
Juha Kannisto wrote:
....
When adapting M-mount lenses to E, the adapter thickness is often an issue though as very few adapters are designed to have precisely the right thickness (Rayqual adapters are designed to be precisely right). With slightly thinner adapters (such as Voigtländer VM-E adapters), hard infinity will become slightly beyond infinity again.
With precise-thickness adapters, there might be cases where certain lenses don't reach optimal infinity as there can always be some variation (especially with older lenses). Also some lenses have field curvature characteristics (esp. when adapted) that make it so that focusing a bit further than optimal infinity in the center could help mid-frame / corners etc. Therefore it's good to have a couple of different adapters. I personally have Rayqual and CV VM-E close focus adapter II.
I recently contacted Novoflex in Germany concerning their adapters. They are aware that their ever so slightly shorter adapters (made to accommodate infinity focus for older lenses that are out of spec) might not be ideal for modern lenses, especially wide angle lenses with floating elements. On request they offer precisely made adapters like Rayqual. Just contact them directly.
This might be of interest for people from Europe where Rayqual adapters are not as readily available.
Jonas B wrote:
Hi Julian. I guess this post is to no help for you. I read your message and didn't recognize the problem. Interesting though.
I tried to replicate it using different f-stops (not only f/8) and different angles towards strong light sources including the sun in a lightly foggy situation. As in your picture 1 and 2 respectively.
I couldn't get the extra set of rays like those you showed in the first picture. Then after that I wasn't able to get that strong biblic light from the sun.
On top of this I have no idea what's behind your flare problems. If it's possible for you to send the lens back I think you should do so. I know I wouldn't be happy with it as it really should do much better. Perfection, or near perfection, is after all the reason to buy the 50APO. ...Show more → JulianD wrote:
Hi Jonas,
Thank you so much for attempting to replicate the problem! It is good to know that you couldn‘t replicate the extra rays and that it is normal. I suspect that something is going on with the lens, the exterior also had quite some scratches, but the lenses looked clean. I will return the lens, since — as you said — perfection is the reason to buy the 50 APO
Thanks so much
Not sure if you have found a solution yet, but this streak quality suggests to me that it is independent of the physical aperture blades (because it does not rotate with the other rays as the lens is stopped down). Because it does not rotate, it suggests to me that the effect might be the result of a thin film of oil or other residue on one surface of the lens, like when a lens surface has been cleaned with a soiled cloth. I'm sure you've seen similar streaks when using your smartphone with a smudged lens, when after a quick but not thorough cleaning, it results in images with specular light streaks all in one direction. If you haven't done so yet, clean both exterior glass surfaces with a suitable cleaner, such as ROR (Residual Oil Remover), or equivalent. If this doesn't resolve the problem, it's possible an internal element has slight residue on it. Whether it was due to post-sale servicing or improper cleaning during manufacture, would be difficult to know because you're not the original owner.
rscheffler wrote:
Not sure if you have found a solution yet, but this streak quality suggests to me that it is independent of the physical aperture blades (because it does not rotate with the other rays as the lens is stopped down). Because it does not rotate, it suggests to me that the effect might be the result of a thin film of oil or other residue on one surface of the lens, like when a lens surface has been cleaned with a soiled cloth. I'm sure you've seen similar streaks when using your smartphone with a smudged lens, when after a quick but not thorough cleaning, it results in images with specular light streaks all in one direction. If you haven't done so yet, clean both exterior glass surfaces with a suitable cleaner, such as ROR (Residual Oil Remover), or equivalent. If this doesn't resolve the problem, it's possible an internal element has slight residue on it. Whether it was due to post-sale servicing or improper cleaning during manufacture, would be difficult to know because you're not the original owner. ...Show more →
Thanks for the suggestions! After spotting this issue, I had already tried to clean the glass, but the issue persisted. In the end, I returned the lens. Maybe some residue was indeed on some internal lens element, but at least shining a light through the lens did not show anything odd.
Thanks to all of you for the information and beautiful pictures! 
