Regrettably, the Voigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron is not entirely exempt from focus shift, which could pose a problem for rangefinder users when they stop down the lens from its widest aperture. There is a gradual shift in focus when the lens is focused at maximum aperture and then stopped down to f/2, f/2.8, f/4, and f/5.6.
I observed the same degree of focus shift with both of my copies of the Voigtlander 75mm f/1.9 lens.
To perform this test, the lens was focused at its widest aperture on the focal point indicated by the red marking and then gradually stopped down while maintaining the same focus.
Below is a comparison that demonstrates the focus shift by comparing the lens's performance at one-stop intervals from f/1.9 to f/5.6:
Focus shift from f/1.9 f/2.8
Focus shift: f/2.8 vs f/4
Focus shift: f/4 vs f/5.6
Finally: Focus shift range comparing f/1.9 to f/5.6
The Voigtlander 75mm f1.9 Ultron is capable of focusing as close as 0.5m, which is an uncommon feature for lenses with a focal length of 75mm. While the lens performs quite well at its widest aperture, its optical performance greatly improves when stopped down to f/2.8 and f/4, particularly at this close focusing distance.
Although there is some residual spherical aberration when the lens is used wide open, stopping down to f/2.8 significantly improves its resolution and contrast. Despite lacking a floating system, the lens delivers very good performance when used at a distance of 0.5m with its widest aperture.
My copy of the 35 1.5 has focus shift at close distance as well. By pairing the 35 1.5 with this 75 1.9, I will know to watch out for focus shift on both.
I captured a few additional shots with the Voigtlander 75mm f/1.9 MC to better understand how the lens performs at different distances. All the shots were taken at maximum aperture, and I used the Adobe Standard profile.
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.01/3000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.01/180s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.01/750s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.81/350s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.01/1000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.81/500s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.41/750s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.41/250s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RVoigtlander 75mm f/1.9 Ultron lens75mmf/2.81/350s100 ISO0.0 EV
If any FM members are already shooting with the new Voigtlander 75/1.9 Ultron lens, I invite you to share some sample images on this review. Your photos will be included in a link on the front page quick links.
Fred Miranda wrote:
If any FM members are already shooting with the new Voigtlander 75/1.9 Ultron lens, I invite you to share some sample images on this review. Your photos will be included in a link on the front page quick links.
My replacement copy should be here later this week
Fred Miranda wrote:
If any FM members are already shooting with the new Voigtlander 75/1.9 Ultron lens, I invite you to share some sample images on this review. Your photos will be included in a link on the front page quick links.
My samples so far are all at these Google Photo albums (all taken with Sony A7C and including some mild PP in C1 Pro 23):
In the first album in the list (my latest shoot with this lens) I used CV VM-E close-focus adapter II but I only got closer than regular MFD on a couple of shots there. On the other albums I used my non-helicoid Rayqual adapter.
I've been really happy with the lens and I think I will sell my CV 75/1.5 Nokton sometime in the future as I prefer the 75/1.9 overall (especially from size, weight, close-focusing & handling perspective).
@fredmiranda Thanks! I ordered the MC--I have character lenses to a fault. This will be my highly compact fast clean modern 75mm option--landscape, travel, urban and some occasional close-up work. I want the best flare resistance possible.
Fred Miranda wrote:
So far I've been enjoying shooting with it and like its rendering. In my opinion, it possesses more personality compared to the 75 Nokton.
From what few shots I was able to take with it before selling the damaged one as-is, I have to agree about the rendering. The matte black finish on the MC is the icing on the cake. I hope they make more lenses in this matte black finish. I'd love to see Voigtlander make a small matte black 21 so I could have a 21/35/75 matching set
In the first album in the list (my latest shoot with this lens) I used CV VM-E close-focus adapter II but I only got closer than regular MFD on a couple of shots there. On the other albums I used my non-helicoid Rayqual adapter.
I've been really happy with the lens and I think I will sell my CV 75/1.5 Nokton sometime in the future as I prefer the 75/1.9 overall (especially from size, weight, close-focusing & handling perspective)....Show more →
Thanks for the links with so many samples Juha! I added to the review's front page.
I ordered mine Friday. Just got it a bit ago. Not sure what I think from my first little batch. I wonder if I have a bad copy. I'll do a centering test on this one I think.
Thanks! Those images look pretty good. But I’m guessing there were others you thought were off. Look forward to reading more about your experience with it in your future posts.
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I ordered mine Friday. Just got it a bit ago. Not sure what I think from my first little batch. I wonder if I have a bad copy. I'll do a centering test on this one I think.
How would being a bit off center affect images like the ones you posted, though? Rendering looks great. Is there a sharpness issue?
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I ordered mine Friday. Just got it a bit ago. Not sure what I think from my first little batch. I wonder if I have a bad copy. I'll do a centering test on this one I think.
One of the distributors at work got me a well-centered eval copy last week and I can't say it was love at first use. I was very impressed with the central resolution from wide open, the haptics, the twelve-bladed aperture, the MFD, and the size, less so with the vignetting (natural and optical), the distortion, and FC, which, on my bare-sensored rII, curves the opposite direction from what Fred's tests show and is a touch more severe, showing up earlier in the range than it does on a stock M. I also found the stock hood to be mostly useless.
A coworker tested it out on his M10R and fell hard for it, so I know it's just my preferences. With all the time I put into fixing the aperture linkage and cleaning my AF-D 85/1.8, I've decided to forgive it its bulk and less than stellar haptics and love it anyway.
freaklikeme wrote:
....less so with the vignetting (natural and optical), the distortion, and FC, which, on my bare-sensored rII, curves the opposite direction from what Fred's tests show and is a touch more severe, showing up earlier in the range than it does on a stock M.
Just to be clear, you saw FC when shooting with the Voigtlander 75/1.9 adapted to your Sony A7R II?
highdesertmesa wrote:
How would being a bit off center affect images like the ones you posted, though? Rendering looks great. Is there a sharpness issue?
It wouldn’t—but I took some longer photos that seemed oddly soft or hazy. Not sure if I misfocused a bit something a little odd is happening. I’ll controlled test it before I conclude anything. This lens also seems to draw (from my limited shooting so far of about 20 minutes so take it with a grain of salt) with a little bit different cooler colors and contrast, reminding me of the CV 35/1.7.
I’ll report more when I can do so more intelligently!
