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State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländ...

zeitlos
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p.4 #1 · p.4 #1 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Some contenders here:

Pentax manual 50mm f1.7, TT Artisan 50mm 1.4, Sigma Contemporary 65mm 2.0 (AF), Voigtländer 75mm 1.5

Shot with Batis 40mm 2.0

Dec 01, 2022 at 10:42 AM

darrellc
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p.4 #2 · p.4 #2 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Dec 01, 2022 at 11:40 AM

zeitlos
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p.4 #3 · p.4 #3 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

First test shot with the Voigtländer 75mm 1.5. Slightly cropped.
I definitely need to get used to the process of slowing down!!!

Just testing bokeh:

Dec 03, 2022 at 12:26 PM

philip_pj
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p.4 #4 · p.4 #4 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Sony management might have talked them out of making an E version of the 75/1.5 (or any other longer lenses). It's suspicious that such a prolific and audacious lens maker as CV (e.g. 50/1) have left the entire longer-than-50mm field blank in their mirrorless design inventory, macros excepted.

Even for M users this is the sole exception at CV to the 50mm-and-wider rule. And those M photographers are very loyal to Leica in the main. Many of them shun off-brand lenses as part of a purity spiral.

So, the cameras with the best focusing aids in history are denied the best overall current MF lenses (cost/performance/character/ergonomics) at the very focal lengths that put most pressure on the weaknesses of the only cameras than can use them natively - due to infinity stop adjustment, rangefinder accuracy, VF crimping and focus capture difficulty. This market failure is effectively a Catch 22 and it's hard to comprehend in this age of photographic plenty.

BTW, the designer of the 50/2 APO rates this 75mm very highly indeed. And they do make a great pairing for discerning users who get 'the look' they deliver.

Dec 03, 2022 at 03:40 PM

zeitlos
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p.4 #5 · p.4 #5 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

With an open aperture, the lens has relatively little contrast. At least that's how I feel and compared to the other lenses I have here (however, keep in mind, I just took a few pictures and conditions here where I live in December are also very dusty

). I don't see that as a disadvantage, but rather as an advantage (for a portrait lens - and that's how I want to use it). I remember having the Batis 85 1.8 and – while being a fantastic optic for sure – I sometimes even struggled a bit with its stronger micro contrast. Of course, also this can be taken care of via image editing afterwards. However, I prefer the other way around.
I just played a bit with the manual focus in our garden today. That's fun. And for certain types of photography - I can imagine - a manual focus can even be an advantage, because you can let the sharpness range (with focus peaking all the better) wander.

Dec 04, 2022 at 05:08 AM

zeitlos
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p.4 #6 · p.4 #6 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Speaking of the garden: Nothing special, just fun. A look into the garden with the Voigtlander 75mm at 1.5 and the TT Artisan 50mm at 1.4. With the 50mm, however, I took a step closer to the subject.

Voigtländer

TT Artisan

Btw. the TT Artisan is incredible for the money in terms of build quality. I cannot say anything about its optical performance so far. First have to get to know the Voigtländer.

Dec 04, 2022 at 05:47 AM

zeitlos
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p.4 #7 · p.4 #7 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

I do have one more question. Maybe someone here knows the answer. As mentioned before, I also bought the TT Artisan 6bit Adapter (Leica M to Sony E) to use the Voigtländer 75mm on my Sony A7III.

However, I am still not sure if it works properly and if not, what is the reason.

Firstly: In C1 I can see which ISO setting was used, I can also see which exposure time was used. And I can basically see the focal length. However, if I change it (often by mistake) on the little wheel on the adapter (say from 75mm to 135) it will be listed as 135mm in Capture one. The small wheel on the adapter for adjusting the focal length can probably be adjusted by simply blowing on it... that's really not well done...
However, the aperture setting is not applied to the exif data. It writes in what I set on the camera's rotary wheel, not what I set on the aperture ring on the lens.

Is that how it's meant to be?

So I basically only get ISO and exposure time with this adapter so far. At least automatically.

Edit: One more thing I'm asking myself. Is image stabilization working with those two lenses (Voigländer 75 1.5 and TT Artisan 50mm 1.4) when using it with my Sony A7III. I read something about distance measuring which must be active. Not sure how it is with those two lenses.

Dec 04, 2022 at 06:18 AM

QuietOC
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p.4 #8 · p.4 #8 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

The review of the TTArtisan 6-bit adapter I linked back on page one addresses most of your questions:

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/ttartisan-leica-m-to-e-6-bit-adapter-product-of-the-year

It just reads optical 6-bit Lens ID markings. It does not read the focusing cam position or the aperture setting. The EXIF storing the aperture setting on the camera is a bonus if you remember to match it up (It would nice if the camera allowed this whenever a lens without electronics was attached). With focal length registered you get 3-axis stabilization: yaw, pitch, and roll.

Edited on Dec 04, 2022 at 06:48 AM · View previous versions

Dec 04, 2022 at 06:43 AM

zeitlos
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p.4 #9 · p.4 #9 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Thanks! I read the review again this morning, but it was not fully clear to me. Now it is!

Thank you very much again!

Dec 04, 2022 at 06:44 AM

Gunzorro
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p.4 #10 · p.4 #10 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

zeitlos wrote:
Some contenders here:

Pentax manual 50mm f1.7, TT Artisan 50mm 1.4, Sigma Contemporary 65mm 2.0 (AF), Voigtländer 75mm 1.5

Shot with Batis 40mm 2.0

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52536034019_5ba9be2c8b_h.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52536312083_162c6df86e_h.jpg

I love the blown-out background on your close-up shot of the lenses, using the Batis 40! Wow!

I'm expecting my Batis 40 to arrive this week and have high hopes for it based on the many images I've seen.

Regarding the CV 75/1.5: that's a non-starter for me. I want full electronic connection and exif for my images. I am now spoiled by having proper exif and IS from lens to lens. Possibly this lens would be of interest to me if redesigned as an E-mount like my CV 15E III or 40E, but there are other lenses I would probably get first, such as the Batis 85. Lucky for me, 70mm and longer are not lenses I need very often and have several zooms that cover that range, albeit at slower apertures. I do have the Loxia 85, so I'm well covered if a when needed.

Still, I love the images Helena is getting with her CV 75/1.5, so looking forward to yours as well!

Dec 04, 2022 at 01:18 PM

zeitlos
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p.4 #11 · p.4 #11 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Thanks for your feedback!

Yes, the Batis 40 is a great lens! I wish you lots of fun with it.

Btw. Just two posts above yours you can read that exifs (even though a bit more complicated) and IS work with the CV when using the 6bit adapter.

I would love to see the images of Helena. Anyone here who could tell me where to find them?

Edit: Found her via google.

Dec 04, 2022 at 01:23 PM

jjcpa
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p.4 #12 · p.4 #12 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

It has been 2 months. Just curious about what your experience with 75mm 1.5 for portrait? Thx,

Feb 01, 2023 at 01:12 PM

zeitlos
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p.4 #13 · p.4 #13 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Thanks for asking back. I‘ve been trying to get along with manual focusing and it‘s been fun in certain situation, however, I had to face reality and find out that as things are today I am probably not the one who should shoot manual. Which is a shame because it definitely is a very different shooting experience and the Voigtlaender is able to procure really nice results. However, more and more I found myself reluctant to use it and instead preferred my autofocus lenses again. So I made a cut and sold it again. I could have tried for a couple of months longer, however, I assume that my general preference wouldn‘t have changed significantly.
However, that being said, the Voigtlaender 65mm is still somewhere on my list. Why? Because I can see quite a few benefits in manual lenses when doing food photography. And I think that Voigtländer 65 could be an excellent choice for this.

Sorry, would have loved to report back something more edifying (even for myself). But well, at a certain point in time I have to acknowledge reality. The more I admire everyone who can handle manual lenses well.

Feb 01, 2023 at 01:18 PM

jjcpa
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p.4 #14 · p.4 #14 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Thank you for getting back. I agree with you that manual focus lenses do not work most of time for portrait at lease for me .

Feb 01, 2023 at 01:35 PM

MARKFER
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p.4 #15 · p.4 #15 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Both the Loxia 85 and Voight 65 are portrait length but not traditional modern portrait lenses. I think that's been discussed. The Loxia is better at it, but still not that creamy bokeh and gentle rendering. Both lenses are sharp and high micro contrast that excel at nature and food etc.. like you mentioned. Bokeh is more and issue to me than AF issues.

Feb 01, 2023 at 02:03 PM

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p.4 #16 · p.4 #16 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Are you restricting yourself to native Sony mount? If not, the following lenses are all distinctive lenses in a focal length range great for portraits. Most are way below your target price but perform as well or better than new lenses in similar focal lengths.

Jim

My favorite: Contax 100/2 - sharp focal plane, loads of 3D character, lovely bokeh

Great colors: Minolta Rokkor 85/1.7

Classic look version 1: Leica R 90/2, pre-ASPH versions in your price range…look for 3 million or higher serial number

Classic look version 2: Contax 85/1.4 (or Zeiss ZE/ZF version)

Wilder side with swirly bokeh: Helios 85/1.5 (I have This version…no relation to seller…really heavy but beautiful images)

Modern classic: Canon 85/1.2 v2…stellar lens sharp enough wide open…mine is available on the B&S

Feb 01, 2023 at 02:55 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.4 #17 · p.4 #17 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

There is no right answer and it really depends on the look you want for your portraits. Having said that, usually highly corrected lenses like the ones you mentioned (Loxia 85/2.4, CV 65/2 APO, etc..) will capture very fine detail in your subject's faces and therefore amplify flaws and wrinkles on the skin.

Perhaps a different route would be to shoot with lenses under-corrected for spherical aberration in order to smooth the skin and still provide a sharp image. I would recommend the Leica 75/1.4 Lux, Voigtlander 75/1.5 Nokton or Leica 90/2 'pre-asph' adapted to your mirrorless body.

Feb 01, 2023 at 03:05 PM

vdo1
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p.4 #18 · p.4 #18 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Fred Miranda wrote:
There is no right answer and it really depends on the look you want for your portraits. Having said that, usually highly corrected lenses like the ones you mentioned (Loxia 85/2.4, CV 65/2 APO, etc..) will capture very fine detail in your subject's faces and therefore amplify flaws and wrinkles on the skin.

Perhaps a different route would be to shoot with lenses under-corrected for spherical aberration in order to smooth the skin and still provide a sharp image. I would recommend the Leica 75/1.4 Lux, Voigtlander 75/1.5 Nokton or Leica 90/2 'pre-asph' adapted to your mirrorless body.

Why not go all the way:

https://lensbaby.com/products/velvet-85?variant=31452991651978

?

Feb 01, 2023 at 07:56 PM

jjcpa
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p.4 #19 · p.4 #19 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

Are there any AF lenses under the second route? Such as 85mm GM or 85mm EF 1.2 or even sigma 105mm 1.4?

Fred Miranda wrote:
There is no right answer and it really depends on the look you want for your portraits. Having said that, usually highly corrected lenses like the ones you mentioned (Loxia 85/2.4, CV 65/2 APO, etc..) will capture very fine detail in your subject's faces and therefore amplify flaws and wrinkles on the skin.

Perhaps a different route would be to shoot with lenses under-corrected for spherical aberration in order to smooth the skin and still provide a sharp image. I would recommend the Leica 75/1.4 Lux, Voigtlander 75/1.5 Nokton or Leica 90/2 'pre-asph' adapted to your mirrorless body.

Feb 01, 2023 at 08:17 PM

QuietOC
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p.4 #20 · p.4 #20 · State of the art manual portrait lens for Sony – Loxia 85 2.4? Voigtländer 65 2.0?

jjcpa wrote:
Are there any AF lenses under the second route? Such as 85mm GM or 85mm EF 1.2 or even sigma 105mm 1.4?

Most of them. Even the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 has somewhat under-corrected SA.

Feb 01, 2023 at 08:24 PM

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