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Archive 2021 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

kriskunisch
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

I'm not much for lens tests (aside from the quick decenter test I conduct with a star chart whenever a new lens arrives), but I thought it would be helpful to share a couple of weeks of photos with the Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar (adapted with a Voigtlander VM-Z Close Focus to my Nikon Z6).

This first shot uses the close-focus adapter and is photographed at either f2 or f2.8. In either case, a good showcase of the lens performance when pushed beyond it's 0.7m MFD.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51516348210_71c0a931f6_h.jpg

Here, a portrait of Walphie at f2. Plenty of contrast and as sharp as one would ever need.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51516157902_665c335b75_h.jpg

A snapshot at f2.8.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51546611332_8a86423769_h.jpg

The obligatory wall shot at f4 with no corrections (I guess I should note, none of these photos have profile corrections). The Voigtlander is a consistent performer center, mid, edge, corner. Again, things I don't really obsess over, but if you want a lens that doesn't fight you, this is a great choice in the 50mm FOV.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51548330005_f1099bfe8c_h.jpg

For a lens that is seemingly so 'corrected', does it have some character? Here, captured at f2, exhibiting some cat-eye bokeh in the corners and some mild 'swirl' that draws you in. The colors are punchy and have a warm tonality. I guess what I want to say is that it's not all 'modern' and 'clinical', the lens has a character onto itself that has draw and charm.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51548328435_d73e5c97af_h.jpg

This shot might have been at f5.6. I am not sure...these types of shots aren't really my style and with the camera in the hands of a more skilled and less rushed photographer, would have yielded better results.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51551810396_ed1ce41181_h.jpg

Here is a 'scenic kinda portrait' at f2. Plenty of light, and snagged at 1/8000s and an ISO of 180 (probably forgot to change my exposure compensation when I came out of the forest to the shoreline).

I love this shot because it has some draw to it. This shot also has the focus point right on Jess, so at f2...you don't have to be married to the center of the frame for optimal performance.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51552721065_681e2cd2ba_h.jpg

Here are some shots at f8 and infinity. Tons of haze and ocean spray, and you can still see how well the lens performs at distance.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51552041773_9b4f1644d1_h.jpg

Similar, f8 and infinity, Edge and Corners are exceptional. If you love the 50mm FOV and want a lens that is fantastic for landscape, architectural, and other mediums where distortion is minimal and performance is optimal across the frame....no surprises here, this lens is well suited.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51562598932_d1f065f1cc_h.jpg

An obligatory bridge shot (when in Cathedral Park) at f8. Almost too contrasty for my taste...but to be candid, probably more attributed to the time of day and less so to the lens.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51559853614_4c16081abc_h.jpg

Now back to f2. This is another touristy 'staycation' snapshot. If anything, it shows that f2 is plenty for subject emphasis (even when background and setting is cluttered) and that you don't have to get drunk on fast apertures.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51559389923_8b5d90f3c9_h.jpg

Need more convincing? Here:


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51562597742_f3b94542b0_h.jpg

And finally...the beauty of this lens is that it doesn't get in the way and allows you to capture moments that you truly care about.

Walphie at f2 on Neighborhood Watch:


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51567410724_9cc8defbf7_h.jpg

Walphie at f2, being Master of the Couch:


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51560084930_28bb60d14f_h.jpg

Oct 09, 2021 at 10:15 AM

Ripolini
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Devil, you're tempting me

Oct 10, 2021 at 08:04 AM

ocean2059
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Ripolini wrote:
Devil, you're tempting me

P.S.: I wonder why the E version (for Sony) has 0.45 m minimum focus distance instead of 0.7 m of the VM-Mount lens. The E- and VM-mount versions share the same optics and performance on Nikon Z bodies?

I have the E-mount version and it's an excellent lens. But I have not tried on the my Z7 yet. There were some discussions here about VM-mount version of the lens on the Z body, https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4562160. I will try my E-mount lens as soon as I can find a good mount adapter.

Oct 10, 2021 at 10:52 AM

Ripolini
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Thanx. According to the OP of that DPReview thread "if you want to use the 50mm Apo Lanthar on a Z Nikon, get the E mount version, avoid the VM" ...

Oct 10, 2021 at 11:36 AM

kriskunisch
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Ripolini wrote:
Thanx. According to the OP of that DPReview thread "if you want to use the 50mm Apo Lanthar on a Z Nikon, get the E mount version, avoid the VM" ...

I was not aware of the variance between lens mounts and that DP thread slips into some interesting technical minutia.

Even if there was a technical advantage to going the E mount route, I would have still opted for and embraced shortcomings of the M (assuming there is validity to that DP thread). Adapting M mount glass was one of the main reasons I added a Z to my kit (the other reason being the improvements with adapting the Nikon 58mm f/1.4 G).

Oct 10, 2021 at 04:24 PM

huddy
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Lots of lovely images here. I do love a good 50-58 and definitely have soft spot in my heart for the Nikon 50/1.2 AI-S at f/2 or the 58/1.4 at f/1.4-2.8. The Voigtlander 50/2 APO is a whole different level (and design target of course). It's definitely on my short list of lenses that I would add to a collection or consider as a desert island lens based on the images I have seen.

Oct 10, 2021 at 08:16 PM

kriskunisch
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

huddy wrote:
Lots of lovely images here. I do love a good 50-58 and definitely have soft spot in my heart for the Nikon 50/1.2 AI-S at f/2 or the 58/1.4 at f/1.4-2.8. The Voigtlander 50/2 APO is a whole different level (and design target of course). It's definitely on my short list of lenses that I would add to a collection or consider as a desert island lens based on the images I have seen.

Yup, the 58 1.4 is a gem of a lens and is in a league onto itself. I don't use mine nearly as much as I should as I tend to prefer manual focus. The 58 1.4G and the 35 1.4G, however, are the lenses I would reach for if I was going on a trip.

The Voigtlander 50/2 APO is such an easy lens to use and doesn't have any of the hiccups of older lens designs. Out of focus areas are smooth and round up to 5.6. For me, the biggest perk is its remarkable performance from MFD out to infinity.

I've thought about adding the Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 to compliment the APO (I'm also a fan of 50s). The colors of the 1.2 seem more neutral and I love it's more classic character below f2.

Oct 10, 2021 at 09:23 PM

philip_pj
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

"if you want to use the 50mm Apo Lanthar on a Z Nikon, get the E mount version, avoid the VM"

Unless you are also a Leica M user, I agree. One of the lens's greatest strengths (I have owned one since its release in E mount) is its f2 performance, where it is better than most 50s at their best apertures. The E version is around 6-7% stronger at f2 compared with the 'downsized for Leica' VM version. Closer focus too, on native mounts. it means you get great focus fade for images focused at 10-20m away - at f2; plus more separation.

E vsn - look at left axis (image centre) for lowest two line pairs (40lpmm, 30lpmm)

VM vsn - it catches up by f4.

Oct 11, 2021 at 08:26 PM

Ripolini
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

philip_pj wrote:
I have owned one since its release in E mount

Which E -> Z adapter do you use and/or suggest?
Thanx.

Riccardo

Oct 13, 2021 at 05:26 AM

ocean2059
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Ripolini wrote:
Which E -> Z adapter do you use and/or suggest?
Thanx.

Riccardo

I just received a simple manual focus adapter that costs $29 USD from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083RZBLFP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details). The fit quality seems pretty good. I only did few test images of the E-mount lens on the Z7. I hope to go out this weekend for a morning walk and post some images here.

Oct 13, 2021 at 09:30 AM

Ripolini
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Thanks!

ocean2059 wrote:
I hope to go out this weekend for a morning walk and post some images here.

Please inform us about your field experience with the lens and the adapter.
Good light

P.S.: excellent filter

Oct 13, 2021 at 10:54 AM

suteetat
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Hmmm... interesting about the E mount version.
However, my understanding is that at least for Sony and Zeiss E mount lenses, they are designed with thicker sensor cover in mind and for many Sony and Zeiss lenses, sharpness dropped a little bit when use on Z mount body. On the other hand, I find most M mount lenses work perfectly fine on Z body especially at 50mm focal lenght or longer. Beside, you can use megadap or techart adapter and turn it into pretty reasonable AF lens and you will be able to focus closer due to telescopic extension of the adapter as well.
decision decision.......

Oct 13, 2021 at 06:03 PM

JustShootMe
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

I sure miss that lens , should of hung on to it. Currently I am using the Fuji-X mount Voigtlander 351.2 on the Z-fc . It works well and is very small , my only complaint with the 50 APO is the size and weight.

Oct 13, 2021 at 09:08 PM

philip_pj
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

I'm a Sony guy so native for me, butSteve Spencer had the lowdown on the E > Z route, it sounded very workable. I don't recall any talk about loss of IQ on Z. A few from the 50/2 APO on 42mp:

this one is a crop of:

this one. This is f2 (wide open).

also f2.

images can have a liquid, artistic look in good light. f8.

Oct 14, 2021 at 04:45 AM

Ripolini
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

To EU (European Union) fellows: could you please indicate where can I buy a "good" Sony E -> Nikon Z adapter (no Techart, I don't intend to use Sony AF lenses on my Z6). Thanx!

Oct 14, 2021 at 02:39 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

kriskunisch wrote:

I'm not much for lens tests (aside from the quick decenter test I conduct with a star chart whenever a new lens arrives), but I thought it would be helpful to share a couple of weeks of photos with the Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar (adapted with a Voigtlander VM-Z Close Focus to my Nikon Z6).

This first shot uses the close-focus adapter and is photographed at either f2 or f2.8. In either case, a good showcase of the lens performance when pushed beyond it's 0.7m MFD.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51516348210_71c0a931f6_h.jpg

Here, a portrait of Walphie at f2. Plenty of contrast and as sharp as...Show more →

Thanks for the write up and illustrative photos. Are photos 6 and 7 from secret sands beach?

Oct 14, 2021 at 05:12 PM

kriskunisch
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

nehemiahphoto wrote:
Thanks for the write up and illustrative photos. Are photos 6 and 7 from secret sands beach?

They are from Indian Beach, which is found in Ecola State Park in Oregon.

Oct 15, 2021 at 07:43 AM

dshigeno
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Some lovely images here. Bravo kriskunisch!

Oct 15, 2021 at 05:08 PM

ocean2059
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Ripolini wrote:
Thanks!

Please inform us about your field experience with the lens and the adapter.
Good light

P.S.: excellent filter

I went out for a walk this morning with my Z7 and Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar (in E-mount with a MF adapter). Overall, the lens performs remarkably well, great sharpness and resolution with very neutral and subtle color retention. It just has the right amount of micro contrast with very 'clean' color definitions. Center sharpness may reach its peak at f/2.8 with excellent edge/corner sharpness to match.

I like to shoot with large f-stops whenever possible, and the images below are all at f/2 and f/2.8 with one exception - the image of the white house is at f/8. There were some discussion in the Sony forum that the lens has some edge color inconsistency when shooting at bright blue sky but I didn't experience that on the Nikon Z7 sensor. Neither did I notice any edge/corner weakness of the lens on Z7. The combination of this lens and Z7 reminded me of using D850 with Otus 55/1.4. It's that good.


	© ocean2059 2021


	© ocean2059 2021


	© ocean2059 2021


	© ocean2059 2021


	© ocean2059 2021


	© ocean2059 2021

Oct 16, 2021 at 12:06 PM

kriskunisch
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · The Incredible Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar

Drove through the Columbia River Gorge this morning and spent the afternoon at Conboy Wildlife Refuge.


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51596547872_4011affa7b_h.jpg


	https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51597360881_f1f5fe522b_h.jpg

Oct 16, 2021 at 09:12 PM

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