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FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

junglialoh
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p.4 #1 · p.4 #1 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

bodacious and ideal images we are pursuing

Apr 06, 2022 at 05:36 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #2 · p.4 #2 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

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Sunstar Rendering

The Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM is capable of defined sunstars starting at f/4 and best from f/5.6 until f/11. The sunstars will have 10 points since the lens is equipped with a 10-blade aperture mechanism (straight blades)

For this test, I selected 'lens detection' to "OFF", so we can have an idea of how vignetting looks without any Leica profile attached to the DNG file.

it's worth mentioning that the Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 is multi-coated and did very well in regards to ghosting and veiling flare even with the sun in the frame. I don't see any ghosting or loss in contrast.

Here is a sequence from f/2.8 until f/11 in full stop increments:

f/2.8

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar lens 40mm f/1.4 1/1000s 100 ISO -1.3 EV

f/4

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar lens 40mm f/1.7 1/750s 100 ISO -1.3 EV

f/5.6

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar lens 40mm f/2.4 1/350s 100 ISO -1.3 EV

f/8

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar lens 40mm f/4.0 1/180s 100 ISO -1.3 EV

f/11

LEICA M10-R Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar lens 40mm f/5.6 1/90s 100 ISO -1.3 EV

Apr 06, 2022 at 09:40 AM

junglialoh
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p.4 #3 · p.4 #3 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

Well analyzed to help us know its actual capability

Apr 06, 2022 at 11:40 AM

Desmolicious
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p.4 #4 · p.4 #4 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

Fred Miranda wrote..

it's worth mentioning that the Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 is multi-coated and did very well in regards to ghosting and veiling flare even with the sun in the frame. I don't see any ghosting or loss in contrast...

I picked up an uncoated Tiffen UV filter for this lens (the only thing available) for $8. I did that partially out of habit, and also because a lot of times it is windy at the beach and I do a lot of stuff down there. The much more expensive Heliopan is out of stock.
The pics I took were either in overcast conditions, or had the sun behind my back so little chance of image degradation. I think though I will be going w/o the filter as this test shows both the Tiffen and Heliopan are frankly [email protected] And seeing how you demonstrate how excellent this lens is w/ re to flare, it will be a shame to give that all up.

https://www.lenstip.com/113.24-article-UV_filters_test_Tiffen_72mm_UV.html

So thanks Fred for these tests and showing me not to mess with my lens!

Apr 06, 2022 at 01:13 PM

junglialoh
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p.4 #5 · p.4 #5 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

You can use step up filter to buy the Hoya at 46mm or 49mm

Apr 06, 2022 at 01:37 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #6 · p.4 #6 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

Yes, 34mm it not a popular filter thread for photography. This size thread was mostly used for camcorders (video work) and therefore most UV filters available are not multi-coated.

The Leica 28mm f/5.6 Summaron-M Lens has 34mm filter thread but I don't think Leica made a UV filter for it.

Tiffen, Heliopan and Marumi make 34mm UV filters but I think they are all single coated.

Apr 06, 2022 at 02:31 PM

Desmolicious
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p.4 #7 · p.4 #7 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

junglialoh wrote:
You can use step up filter to buy the Hoya at 46mm or 49mm

Of course you can but that would totally ruin the haptics of this lens.

Edit : I do see there are 34-37mm step up rings so that would be the best option if you had to use a filter.

Apr 06, 2022 at 03:05 PM

Desmolicious
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p.4 #8 · p.4 #8 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

Fred Miranda wrote:
Yes, 34mm it not a popular filter thread for photography. This size thread was mostly used for camcorders (video work) and therefore most UV filters available are not multi-coated.

The Leica 28mm f/5.6 Summaron-M Lens has 34mm filter thread but I don't think Leica made a UV filter for it.

Tiffen, Heliopan and Marumi make 34mm UV filters but I think they are all single coated.

The Tiffen is uncoated, Heliopan offers a multicoated version but that test result I linked to showed it is pretty terrible causing veiling flare, ghosting and normal flare. The Hoyas performed much better.

Apr 06, 2022 at 03:13 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #9 · p.4 #9 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

At first I thought that the included hood would take 39mm filters but it does not. Perhaps 40.5mm. I don't have one to try.

Apr 06, 2022 at 03:19 PM

Desmolicious
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p.4 #10 · p.4 #10 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

Fred Miranda wrote:
At first I thought that the included hood would take 39mm filters but it does not. Perhaps 40.5mm. I don't have one to try.

I just tried, 40.5 is a fraction too small! Darn, great idea! It seems like it fits, but just spins and never tightens. I suppose it could be held in place with a piece of scotch tape.

FYI I put the nice unmarked metal Voigtlander lens cap back in the box and replaced it w a cheapy 43mm pinch style lens cap, which fits perfectly and is much easier/quicker to remove/replace. And if you drop it/lose it - who cares?! they are like a nickel for a dozen..

Apr 06, 2022 at 05:59 PM

junglialoh
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p.4 #11 · p.4 #11 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

I have 1.5m and 5m PCX filters (directly from Optosigma about $50 and 80 each respectively). What I do is always 46-55mm or 49-55mm. Because 55mm is perfect size with rubble ring and PCX filter lens size for VM 35/1.7 (5m), ZM 35/1.4 (5m), CG 28/2.8 (1.5m). Works well for me. In the same token, I think it would be work even if I did not try yet. Later I will try for 34-55mm after finishing Fred's analysis and it confirm me to buy without regret. So far it is very unique lens based his analysis.

Apr 06, 2022 at 06:33 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #12 · p.4 #12 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

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Vignetting

Vignetting is quite high when shooting the Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar wide open. It gets better progressively when stopping the lens down and it's no longer an issue by f/8-11. I don't mind this level of vignetting when shooting wide open as it adds to the character of the lens.

Here is a comparison from f/2.8 to f/11 in 1 stop increments.

The right image has lens detection (LD) set to "off". The Left image shows an in-camera Leica profile "50mm f/2.8 Elmar" applied.

f/2.8: RIGHT: No lens profile | LEFT: Leica 50/2.8 Elmar profile assigned

f/4: RIGHT: No lens profile | LEFT: Leica 50/2.8 Elmar profile assigned

f/5.6: RIGHT: No lens profile | LEFT: Leica 50/2.8 Elmar profile assigned

f/8: RIGHT: No lens profile | LEFT: Leica 50/2.8 Elmar profile assigned

f/11: RIGHT: No lens profile | LEFT: Leica 50/2.8 Elmar profile assigned

Apr 06, 2022 at 08:51 PM

junglialoh
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p.4 #13 · p.4 #13 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

I think it is typical M lens pattern after using LM 28/2.8 Elmarit and 24/3.8 Elmar.
Thanks to excellent presentation of its pattern of Vignetting

Apr 06, 2022 at 09:14 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #14 · p.4 #14 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

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MFD performance and Focus Shift

The Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar focus down to 0.7m and since the lens is corrected for spherical aberration, it performs well even at minimal focus distance. It's very good at f/2.8, great at 4 and optimal at f/5.6.

I did not detect any focus shift with this lens at MFD or infinity distance which is great news for rangefinder shooters.

MFD (0.7m) LEFT: f/2.8 | RIGHT: f/3.3

MFD (0.7m) LEFT: f/3.3 | RIGHT: f/4

MFD (0.7m) LEFT: f/4 | RIGHT: f/5.6

Apr 07, 2022 at 03:31 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #15 · p.4 #15 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

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Field Curvature and optical vignetting

The Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM suffers from mild field curvature when used on a M mount body. If adapted to a mirrorless body like the Sony A7R IV, expect the native field curvature to be amplified.

At close distance (from 0.7 to ~1.5m), the field curvature shape is outwards. However, if the subject is focused at longer distance (from 2.5 to infinity), expect the curvature to take a "wavy" shape. (see test below)

Field curvature shape at 1.5m

Field curvature shape at 2.5m

Field curvature shape at 3.5m

Apr 07, 2022 at 04:19 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #16 · p.4 #16 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

Here are crops showing the difference when focusing the subject at infinity at center, mid-field and extreme corner:

LEFT: center crop focused at center | RIGHT: center crop focused at corner

LEFT: mid-field crop focused at mid-field | RIGHT: mid-field crop focused at center

LEFT: extreme corner crop focused at center | RIGHT: extreme corner crop focused at extreme corner

Apr 07, 2022 at 04:22 PM

Bertrick
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p.4 #17 · p.4 #17 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

In the focus at center vs focus at other frame positions test results (above), I am thinking that this is EVF focussing, not rangefinder. I think this test would be pointless or odd for rangefinder focussing. But if I am wrong, please instruct me.

Apr 07, 2022 at 04:28 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #18 · p.4 #18 · FM Review: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM

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Infinity performance: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM adapted to Sony A7R IV

The Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM is optically designed for the thin Leica M sensor stack. When adapted to the Sony A7R IV's thicker stack, field curvature gets noticeably amplified but when focusing the subject at infinity and center, the lens still performs great at center and mid-field.

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 centered using my decentering test. The Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM is perfectly centered.
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'.

___________

At 40mm
Center Resolution and Contrast: Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 Heliar VM adapted to Sony A7R IV