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Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review

  
 
ArveyAll
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p.20 #1 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


Fred Miranda wrote:
The CV 40/2.8 is more compact and faster, while the CV 50/3.5 delivers superior image quality. If you’re using it on a Sony, the CV 50/3.5 M-mount performs optimally, whereas the CV 40/2.8 doesn’t perform as well on the Sony sensor stack.


Yes, the CV 50/3.5 does look stellar, and I would like to get both! I'm not sure I would use it as much the 40 though, but it would be great for its high resolution performance and close focus capabilities.

I like small light gear and only really use a 35mm or 40mm most of the time. My wide is a 28 and telephoto a 50, so I usually swap back to 35-40 quite quickly.

I have the Sigma 35/2 C and Sony 40/2.5, but prefer using my CV 35/2 ultron II to the compact Sony 40/2.5 because I much prefer the images it produces. There's also enough of a difference between 35mm and 40mm FOV for me to have both, so the Heliar wins, and probably would replace the Sony. If I need autofocus and weather sealing I would use the larger Sigma.

I have the CV 28/2.8 which great to carry in a pocket because it's like carrying a film cannister, and the APO 50/3.5 would be great in that regard too. I have the Sony 55/1.8 but it doesn't get much use, I don't carry it around because of its size and the FOV is touch too long. The rendering of APO seems more to my tastes also, from the examples I've seen.

...So it's quite easy for me to convince myself I need both!



Dec 03, 2024 at 07:30 AM
catacore
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p.20 #2 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


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Edited on Jan 13, 2025 at 07:51 AM · View previous versions



Dec 03, 2024 at 10:27 AM
MikeRZ67
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p.20 #3 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


Maybe I missed it, but did anybody find a lens cap that works without the hood on? Will a generic 34mm cap work?


Dec 07, 2024 at 07:06 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.20 #4 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


MikeRZ67 wrote:
Maybe I missed it, but did anybody find a lens cap that works without the hood on? Will a generic 34mm cap work?


Hi Mike,
I’ve tried a few options, including this one from eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/395531331332. Unfortunately, it does not fit. I ended up 3D printing a cap for it.



Dec 07, 2024 at 12:42 PM
Joey55
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p.20 #5 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


I bought these last week, just a generic snap-on cap and they work fine, with or without a filter. I use a cheap Tiffen filter without the glass as a hood. Ships from New Jersey.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305035153241



Dec 08, 2024 at 12:02 PM
catacore
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p.20 #6 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


.





Edited on Jan 13, 2025 at 07:50 AM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2024 at 03:05 PM
MikeRZ67
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p.20 #7 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


Thanks everyone! I'll get a snap-on lens cap. That should do the trick, at least until I get one of the thread-less filters


Dec 09, 2024 at 04:51 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.20 #8 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


MikeRZ67 wrote:
Thanks everyone! I'll get a snap-on lens cap. That should do the trick, at least until I get one of the thread-less filters


Lets us know which one you get. There is a brand called Kaiser.



Dec 09, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.20 #9 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


I created some 3D-printed caps for Voigtlander lenses with a 34mm thread. Since I prefer using the EIS thin filter, the cap is only for storage. If anyone wants the STL 3D file, let me know via PM.












Dec 16, 2024 at 06:43 PM
irzcer123
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p.20 #10 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


Hey folks, has anyone figured out a good way to keep the infinity lock button from coming off the lens? It unscrews fairly easily over the course of focusing the lens, so I've always been in the habit of tightening it when resetting back to infinity. I've gotten used to the weird ergonomics of changing apertures on the rotating helicoid but the infinity lock button falling off while I'm out hiking or something could be a real issue.


Jan 01, 2025 at 11:57 AM
 


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p.20 #11 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


irzcer123 wrote:
Hey folks, has anyone figured out a good way to keep the infinity lock button from coming off the lens? It unscrews fairly easily over the course of focusing the lens, so I've always been in the habit of tightening it when resetting back to infinity. I've gotten used to the weird ergonomics of changing apertures on the rotating helicoid but the infinity lock button falling off while I'm out hiking or something could be a real issue.


I wasn’t aware this could be a potential issue. I’ve been using the 40mm f/2 Heliar for a while, and the infinity lock screw feels solid. Has anyone else experienced this with this lens or the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar?



Jan 07, 2025 at 11:59 AM
ZacP
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p.20 #12 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


irzcer123 wrote:
Hey folks, has anyone figured out a good way to keep the infinity lock button from coming off the lens? It unscrews fairly easily over the course of focusing the lens, so I've always been in the habit of tightening it when resetting back to infinity. I've gotten used to the weird ergonomics of changing apertures on the rotating helicoid but the infinity lock button falling off while I'm out hiking or something could be a real issue.


You could try unscrewing it completely and applying a small amount of Loctite Threadlocker Blue to the threads. This product is designed to provide enough resistance to keep screws from loosening due to vibration or repeated use, but it’s not permanent, so you can still remove the button if needed. You can find it on Amazon or at most hardware stores. Just make sure to let it cure for the recommended time (24 hours if my memory is right) before using the lens again.



Jan 07, 2025 at 01:10 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.20 #13 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


ZacP wrote:
You could try unscrewing it completely and applying a small amount of Loctite Threadlocker Blue to the threads. This product is designed to provide enough resistance to keep screws from loosening due to vibration or repeated use, but it’s not permanent, so you can still remove the button if needed. You can find it on Amazon or at most hardware stores. Just make sure to let it cure for the recommended time (24 hours if my memory is right) before using the lens again.


That's a great suggestion! I use Loctite Blue on some of my MS Optics lenses, like the MS Optics 73/1.5 Sonnetar, since the screws tend to loosen up easily.



Jan 07, 2025 at 03:45 PM
irzcer123
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p.20 #14 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


I had thought about loctite as well but I thought it would not work because it's a spring loaded cap. However, I think I figured it out thanks to you guys discussing screws. There is a slotted screw on the underside of the button that mates to the cap, and that was not threaded all the way in. Normally when you rotate the cap, you can see the bottom slot rotate along with the top cap, but in my copy it wasn't rotating when rotating the cap to loosen it, which is why it was coming off. I just tightened the slotted screw all the way in and now it's rotating along with the cap in both directions, meaning it shouldn't come off unless I loosen the slotted screw again (since now the whole assembly is moving, so it's not able to loosen relative to the screw). Hope that makes sense - basically, for anyone with the same issue of the cap coming loose, just tighten the slotted screw on the bottom.


Jan 08, 2025 at 04:41 PM
catacore
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p.20 #15 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


Since Fred has never sent me his STL 3D file, I have continued my search for a push-on lens cap to fit on my 40mm f2.8 Heliar lens. I have found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/176681401216?var=476354351817 (bought the 36mm version)
It works just fine (a bit on the tight side, so it won't come off by itself).






Feb 10, 2025 at 03:03 PM
fotografur
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p.20 #16 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


@fredmiranda

$100 off at B&H

Sale $449

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1695929-REG/voigtlander_ba324e_heliar_40mm_f_2_8_aspherical.html



Feb 10, 2025 at 06:34 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.20 #17 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


catacore wrote:
Since Fred has never sent me his STL 3D file, I have continued my search for a push-on lens cap to fit on my 40mm f2.8 Heliar lens. I have found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/176681401216?var=476354351817 (bought the 36mm version)
It works just fine (a bit on the tight side, so it won't come off by itself).


I thought I sent you the file via email. Please confirm your email via PM. Thank you.




Feb 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.20 #18 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


fotografur wrote:
@fredmiranda@

$100 off at B&H

Sale $449

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1695929-REG/voigtlander_ba324e_heliar_40mm_f_2_8_aspherical.html


A steal for such a great lens. I ended up picking one up as a companion to my CV 28/2.8 Color-Skopar Type I.



Feb 17, 2025 at 12:25 PM
zeroAska
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p.20 #19 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


It seems that this lens is performing well in corners at f11 on sony. I was wondering if it is the same on the M bodies.


Mar 05, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.20 #20 · Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM Review


zeroAska wrote:
It seems that this lens is performing well in corners at f11 on sony. I was wondering if it is the same on the M bodies.


At f/11, the lens performs similarly on both the Leica M and when adapted to Sony. This lens shows some curvature in the far corners, so if you focus on the center or mid-field, the corners do not reach optimal sharpness until f/11. However, if you focus directly on the corners, they appear sharper at apertures wider than f/11.



Mar 05, 2025 at 11:56 AM
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