p.5 #1 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
rscheffler wrote:
Yes the 50AA will be a touch smaller and has the nicer Leica ergonomics, plus 6-bit coding. All very small differences, but that can be more pronounced in use. That said, for what likely will be a $5K+ price difference, I think I'll be getting the Voigtlander at some point instead of the Leica.
We'll have to wait for Fred to do a comparison (hint, hint ).
From the Cosina MTFs, it would seem the FE version's sagittal and tangential lines are closer wide open, which might mean the M version's rendering is slight less smooth. But I think it will be sharp enough wide open and for how I would use it, would likely be stopped down a bit anyway most of the time. At which point, based on the MTFs, it looks like both versions are very similar.
In any case, it seems there are some tradeoffs between the two versions. Perhaps the FE is a slightly better optical performer. But IMO the M version looks nicer and I appreciate the additional round aperture at f/5.6 because...
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I agree with Steve and I'm one who actually does not like the super-pronounced sunstars typical in many Cosina designs, therefore I'm very glad that f/5.6 gives a stopped down option to reduce or completely eliminate them.
I haven't followed the specs of the FE version super closely and missed that it only had the round aperture shape at wide open and f/2.8. I'll take this adjustment/improvement to the M version's aperture design in exchange for the 'worse' wide open MTF performance....Show more →
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Haha, If I don't have 50APOM, I am not sure I will get it over this one even I love Leica glass by just looking and handling them (there is no buyer remorse from me, YET)
Fred Miranda wrote:
Here are both MTF graphs for comparison: E mount and VM mount:
Very similar at f/4 but wide open, the E-mount performs slightly better at center while the VM seems to have a more consistent performance across the field. Perhaps we will see a tad more astigmatism and/or lateral CA on the VM mount as well. (sag and merid lines more separated)
Both great performers.
This looks like a negligible difference to me.
Actually, remember we had a discussion by inspect FE version how close and how big last element is on the back mount, there is little space fit rangefinder coupling with smaller M mount and longer flange distance. I guess the redesign is most likely not for sensor stack difference but fit the smaller M mount with longer flange distance.
p.5 #2 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
Steve Spencer wrote:
I think from this pattern we can infer the new VM 50 f/2 APO will weigh about 300-320g, will have about a 56-60mm diameter and will be about 49-51mm long. That would put it as slightly larger than the Leica M 50 f/2 APO which weighs in at 300g (with a built-in hood), has a 53mm diameter, and is 47mm long. Still, personally that small increase in size for the massive decrease in price and very similar performance for me clearly tips the scale to the Voigtlander. Of course YMMV.
I think the Leica 50/2 APO cron is 53mm in length, not diameter. Voigtlander was able to match that length while being lighter at 288g (although without a hood). That's actually amazing since it has 10 elements instead of only 8 compared to the $8,800 Leica APO.
I can't wait until Voigtlander releases a 28mm f/1.4 Nokton that we can afford.
p.5 #3 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
I have three 50mm lenses and I thought for sure I don't need another. BUT, I think that this will be a spectacular lens and I am anxiously waiting for testing so that I may add this one to the arsenal.
Joel
p.5 #4 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
1joel1 wrote:
I have three 50mm lenses and I thought for sure I don't need another. BUT, I think that this will be a spectacular lens and I am anxiously waiting for testing so that I may add this one to the arsenal.
Joel
Sorry Joel,
3 lenses per focal length is the max you can have.
Dec 08, 2020 at 06:19 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.5 #5 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
I think the Leica 50/2 APO cron is 53mm in length, not diameter. Voigtlander was able to match that length while being lighter at 288g (although without a hood). That's actually amazing since it has 10 elements instead of only 8 compared to the $8,800 Leica APO.
I can't wait until Voigtlander releases a 28mm f/1.4 Nokton that we can afford.
Not that it matters much, but here is the Leica tech spec sheet:
The Leica M 50 f/2 APO is just 47mm long and just 53mm in diameter, so unless I am missing something, the Leica lens is a bit smaller physically, but not by much just 2.6 mm less in diameter and 6 mm shorter in length. The slightly longer length for the CVM isn't surprising with the 2 extra elements.
p.5 #6 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
Quite a redesign to accommodate the narrower throat and the thinner stack. It looks like the VM version should be cheaper given a lesser amount of exotic elements. Any performance difference will be negligible, especially since they're optimized for different sensor stacks. I personally hate the screw-on hood on the FE version and prefer the bayonet hood (best still the Leica's built in style). I have had both the Leica APO and this lens in FE mount. I see very few compelling reasons to go with the Leica really. I personally like the rendering of the CV more, especially for foliage.
The Leica M 50 f/2 APO is just 47mm long and just 53mm in diameter, so unless I am missing something, the Leica lens is a bit smaller physically, but not by much just 2.6 mm less in diameter and 6 mm shorter in length. The slightly longer length for the CVM isn't surprising with the 2 extra elements.
I should know better and not trust B&H or Adorama specs for lenses.
p.5 #8 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
1joel1 wrote:
I have three 50mm lenses and I thought for sure I don't need another. BUT, I think that this will be a spectacular lens and I am anxiously waiting for testing so that I may add this one to the arsenal.
Joel
I have 9 50mm M mount lenses. I think because I saw them at a good price and thought "hey I can just turn around and sell them for more in a month or so!"
Except I never did.. I should sell most of them cuz, well, they're not getting used! And maybe get this APO VM cuz it has that BMW M tri-colore marking.
p.5 #9 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
I should know better and not trust B&H or Adorama specs for lenses.
It looks like they had it backwards. I think they rely on the content manufacturers provide. Maybe something got lost in translation. How wide is a gesundheit?
p.5 #10 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
1joel1 wrote:
I have three 50mm lenses and I thought for sure I don't need another. BUT, I think that this will be a spectacular lens and I am anxiously waiting for testing so that I may add this one to the arsenal.
Joel
Fred Miranda wrote:
Sorry Joel,
3 lenses per focal length is the max you can have.
Nonsense, you can never have enough 50s!
Desmolicious wrote:
I have 9 50mm M mount lenses. I think because I saw them at a good price and thought "hey I can just turn around and sell them for more in a month or so!"
Except I never did.. I should sell most of them cuz, well, they're not getting used! And maybe get this APO VM cuz it has that BMW M tri-colore marking.
50mm is an interesting sweet spot: lots of choices spanning decades (nearly a century), lots of character variation and many at very good prices. Combine all these and it's often difficult not to add another to the collection. Speaking from experience, of course.
p.5 #11 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
I've been also adding more 50mm glass to my collection this year:
- Topcon Topcor-S 50/2 (Panda) LTM from late 1950s
- CV 50/1.5 II Nokton VM
- Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50/2 LTM from 1950s (Sonnar type, focuses very close (0.45m) for an RF lens)
- CV 50/1.2 SE to replace the original 50/1.2 in E-mount
Lots of interesting adaptable glass in this FL and those usually work relatively well with Sony mirrorless also. Have been very happy with all 4 additions.
p.5 #12 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
APO is overrated.
Specifically in this case, I'd have a really hard time justifying getting the 50/2 APO when theres an amazing 50/1.2 thats tiny and very (extremely?) affordable for what it is.
Personally I didnt get my Zeiss APO Sonnar 135/2 zf because its APO.
I mean I dont complain the Sonnar is APO, but I wouldnt have gotten it if it wasnt a great lens otherwise, too.
Ultimately I really got it because reportedly it covers GFX very well, so I already have a great portrait lens ready for GFX and it was a LOT cheaper than the native Fujinon GF 110/2, too. Plus I personally prefer a 105mm perspective over a 85mm perspective, anyway. And yes this way I lose autofocus and need an adapter, but I need a Nikon F to Fujifilm GF adapter anyway and dont really need autofocus for portraiture.
philip_pj wrote:
In 2020 Cosina have signalled a reversion to being primarily a Leica M lens maker, with just the two macros in Sony E mount only.
Oh ... thats sort of quite sad.
I could care less for Sony, really. But I was hoping for Nikon Z and Canon R lenses from Voigtländer at some point.
The larger mount diameters of Nikon Z and Canon R would have given new possibilities, plus shorter focusing distances than merely 70cm and also sweet rounded ninebladed apertures for better sunstars ... that would have been great. Those are the things that are annoying about Leica M lenses.
Not to mention ... native Fujifilm GF lenses !!! For personally I'm not planning to get anything else in future, so I'd get an adapter anyway.
But the market is shrinking and I guess Cosina feels the effects of that, too.
Peire wrote:
Voigtlander ! Can you hear me? Where is [...]
Shrinking market, I persume.
Though yes - I'd love for Cosina to still offering the Color Skopar 28/2.8 SLii and of course an APO-Macro-Lanthar 125/2.5 SLii.
Dont really miss/would get any other Cosina SL lens though. Heck even those two are already a stretch. The 28/2.8 makes my finger itch every time I see it offered, though. And the 125/2.5 ist just so annoyingly expensive on the used market.
And yes I know its not gonna happen. New SLR lenses from Cosina, no way.
retrofocus wrote:
[...] The Leica M mount is more niche and will always be, [...]
But can be adapted to any mirrorless, because they all make sure to leave sufficient space for adapting that.
Desmolicious wrote:
Now I'm on board. Those coloured stripes mean that this lens will work with colour film!
...
I am very confused now.
Fred Miranda wrote:
3 lenses per focal length is the max you can have.
I thought 3 lenses in total is the max you can have ...
rscheffler wrote:
50mm is an interesting sweet spot: lots of choices spanning decades (nearly a century), lots of character variation and many at very good prices. Combine all these and it's often difficult not to add another to the collection. Speaking from experience, of course.
p.5 #15 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
I've been waiting for this one.
I've commented in the past on how Cosinas target was the APO50M and I think they have got 98% of it for 1/9th cost. Amazing they have taken their Apochromatic and chromatic aberrations correction knowledge from their great performers in the otus line and applied it to the m scale. Simply marvelous. Will I eventually buy a Leica APO50M as well? Probably.
And the first thing I'll do is adapt this vm version to my α9 and α7sII. No, really. ¯(°_o)/¯
Edit 2: Upon further reading in the thread it looks like the E-mount version has the better performance due to the additional APD elements, so if one wants the look of the e-mount version, that is the only option. I expect I'll get one of those too, as it's quite spectacular.
p.5 #18 · Official: Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO VM mount
Of course $110 more for the very nice bayonet lens hood. What is interesting is there is some interchangeability between the Zeiss ZM and Voigtlander VM hoods. But the Zeiss ones cost about 40% more! (made in the same place, only difference is the name on the hood).
Unfortunately this new lens seems hood unique so perhaps none of my existing Zeiss or CV lenses will fit.
).
(there is no buyer remorse from me, YET) 
For personally I'm not planning to get anything else in future, so I'd get an adapter anyway.
