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Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #1 · p.14 #1 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

To speak to what most call "character" from the 28 Summaron, it's not bokeh of course, it's a mix of modern with vintage:
– Unique vignetting wide open at f/5.6
– "Pillar"-shaped flare when shooting straight into the sun
– Soft corners
– Modern color saturation
– High contrast
– High central sharpness

To my eye, the Voigtlander 40 "character" is very close to that of the Summaron when both are wide open – similar vignetting, soft corners, modern high-contrast/color/sharpness. And from the samples here, It looks like the 28 Color Skopar has the same character as well. Neither of the Voigtlanders have the same flare character as the Summaron, though.

Sep 13, 2023 at 01:26 PM

Malabito
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p.14 #2 · p.14 #2 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

tri_fin wrote:
I had the new version Summaron 28/5.6 for sometime and now have the skopar 28/2.8. I never compared the lenses but I would say that the Summaron is less of a character lens than some people claim. I am not alone in this conclusion. The Summaron is actually quite well behaved. The older version maybe more character but I think that it is mainly down to age of the lens. I am not trying to say the Summaron is bad, actually I am saying it is better than stated. I would also say that generally character is harder with wider...Show more →

Thanks! Which one you prefer?

I already have a summicron 28mm, so I am not looking for a 28mm replacement, just a small compact fun lens for street to complement my cron

Sep 14, 2023 at 12:05 AM

tri_fin
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p.14 #3 · p.14 #3 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

I prefer the skopar. I think it has a really pleasant rendering. It is also light with a small, screw in hood and black front.

The hood from the Summaron is awesome to look at and hold but it is massive and heavy and kind ruins the small Summaron.

Oh and the cost!!!😂

Sep 14, 2023 at 01:48 AM

Malabito
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p.14 #4 · p.14 #4 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

tri_fin wrote:
I prefer the skopar. I think it has a really pleasant rendering. It is also light with a small, screw in hood and black front.

The hood from the Summaron is awesome to look at and hold but it is massive and heavy and kind ruins the small Summaron.

Oh and the cost!!!😂

Thanks!

Is the focus throw also as long?

Budget and brain tells me to get the skopar, but leica bug is bery strong hahaa.

Sep 14, 2023 at 05:36 AM

tri_fin
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p.14 #5 · p.14 #5 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

I didn’t really notice the focus throw - I tend to set my 28mm to f8 and use it like a p&s.

I will say the Summaron is a beautiful, wonderful thing! It is solid and made so well. I did miss it but like I said the hood ruined it for me. Also 5,6 is a bit limiting even though I shoot at f8, occasionally I want to isolate a subject and 5,6 isn’t great. It is also a bit prone to flare hence the hood requirement. Buying gear is hard. You think you know what you want but actually the only way to know is to try it. Even that isn’t perfect as we change with time and as we learn more.

Sep 14, 2023 at 06:02 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #6 · p.14 #6 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Malabito wrote:
Thanks!

Is the focus throw also as long?

Budget and brain tells me to get the skopar, but leica bug is bery strong hahaa.

When it comes to the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit lens, it seems like the focus throw is shorter, but I can't recall the exact angle. Maybe someone who has the Elmarit lens can verify this for us.

Sep 14, 2023 at 02:45 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #7 · p.14 #7 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Couple from the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar. I use the Leica Summaron 6-bit code so I don't even have to correct for vignetting!

LEICA M10-R Summaron-M 1:5.6/28 lens 28mm f/5.6 1/30s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

LEICA M10-R Summaron-M 1:5.6/28 lens 28mm f/5.6 1/25s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Sep 29, 2023 at 07:51 PM

xpfloyd
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p.14 #8 · p.14 #8 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Just to clarify, the type 2 lens doesn’t have any sort of hard stop or indication at 0.7m focus is that correct? So if using on a rangefinder the type 1 is the better choice as you don’t need to worry going past 0.7m accidentally?

Also, does anyone have a link to a 6 bit coding template? Can’t seem to find one online, just links to digital versions

Oct 06, 2023 at 12:47 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #9 · p.14 #9 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

xpfloyd wrote:
Just to clarify, the type 2 lens doesn’t have any sort of hard stop or indication at 0.7m focus is that correct? So if using on a rangefinder the type 1 is the better choice as you don’t need to worry going past 0.7m accidentally?

Also, does anyone have a link to a 6 bit coding template? Can’t seem to find one online, just links to digital versions

Similar to other Cosina lenses, there is no tactical feel when focusing closer than 0.7m. That's why I prefer the Type I version for rangefinder focusing.

If you want a 6-bit code template, you might need to create one yourself because as far as I know, there isn't one available for purchase.

Print this one using a thick paper:
_https://lavidaleica.com/assets/articles/M9_Lens_Coder_V3.jpg

Here is an example of 6-bit code using the above template:
Voigtlander 21/1.4 Nokton >> Leica 21/1.4 Lux

Oct 06, 2023 at 03:26 PM

xpfloyd
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p.14 #10 · p.14 #10 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Excellent, thanks Fred. Think I am going to go for the type 1 for my M11 and will attempt to code it as explained in this thread.

Just can’t decide between the silver or black version for my silver M11 😊

Oct 07, 2023 at 02:47 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #11 · p.14 #11 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

The black is glossy black (painted black on brass). I think it looks great on the Leica Black Paint finish. For the silver M11, I would go with the chrome lens.

Oct 26, 2023 at 09:39 AM

Plzenaak
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p.14 #12 · p.14 #12 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Some photos taken with my Color Skopar 28mm 2.8 Type II and Fuji X-E3.
https://eu.zonerama.com/Plzenaak/772849

Oct 30, 2023 at 04:17 AM

Juha Kannisto
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p.14 #13 · p.14 #13 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

I took my Color-Skopar 28/2.8 Black Type II on a lunch break walk at Ebisu last Thursday, trying it out on my Sony A7CII for the first time. I shot everything at f8 (long distance shots) or at f2.8 (a smaller number of close-ups) this time. My copy of the lens is spot-on at hard infinity on my Rayqual adapter so I like to take long distance view snaps with it just relying on hard infinity. Even if the target distance is just some tens of meters it seems to work optimally.

My 28/2 II was not spot on at hard inifinity and neither were my 28/1.9 nor 28/2 v1 nor my two copies of 28/3.5 LTM, so I'm really happy that my copy of the newer 28/2.8 is perfect in this regard.

Samples: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z4twZftmdjdF3BDH7

I applied one of my favorite presets in C1 Pro on the samples this time. Since C1 Pro still doesn't support A7CII I changed the camera model to A7IV by exiftool batch processing on the Raw files to be able to edit them and then I changed it back to A7CII on the original RAW files and produced JPEGs afterwards. Not sure if there are any color-science differences between A7IV and A7CII but the results looked as expected to me.

Oct 30, 2023 at 05:11 AM

Tim Zhou
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p.14 #14 · p.14 #14 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Hi Juha,

These images looking good! Did I see somewhere you have 28mm f3.5 by Voigtlander. I have a copy too but struggle to use it on my Sony A7 with a consistent and decent images. Would you say this new 28mm is a lot better than its slower sibling and can be used at any aperture? Cheers.

Tim

Oct 30, 2023 at 08:51 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.14 #15 · p.14 #15 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Juha Kannisto wrote:
I took my Color-Skopar 28/2.8 Black Type II on a lunch break walk at Ebisu last Thursday, trying it out on my Sony A7CII for the first time. I shot everything at f8 (long distance shots) or at f2.8 (a smaller number of close-ups) this time. My copy of the lens is spot-on at hard infinity on my Rayqual adapter so I like to take long distance view snaps with it just relying on hard infinity. Even if the target distance is just some tens of meters it seems to work optimally.

My 28/2 II was not spot on at...Show more →

I always enjoy your reportage-style photos, Juha. They truly takes me back to Tokyo whenever I check your galleries.

Oct 30, 2023 at 09:27 AM

Juha Kannisto
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p.14 #16 · p.14 #16 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Tim Zhou wrote:
Hi Juha,

These images looking good! Did I see somewhere you have 28mm f3.5 by Voigtlander. I have a copy too but struggle to use it on my Sony A7 with a consistent and decent images. Would you say this new 28mm is a lot better than its slower sibling and can be used at any aperture? Cheers.

Tim

Hi Tim,

Thanks very much! Yes, I have 2 copies of Voigtländer 28/3.5 LTM lens (one in Black, one in Silver) and those are a bit challenging to use on Sony sensor since they are film-era lenses and not optimized for digital. There's more field curvature with those lenses on Sony sensor and it's basically impossible to get corner-to-corner sharp shots even stopped down to f8 or so. I think there's always some noticeable degradation towards the edges and corners even when trying to balance the in-focus area by focusing in mid-frame. I do like how those lenses draw when used wide open for closer range shots though. I had another version of this lens (in Nikon S-mount but should have same optics) back when I was using the original A7R and that one was having quite bad color shading on A7R as well.

The new 28/2.8 VM is definitely more suitable for corner-to-corner sharp infinity shots and I also like it that it can focus down to 0.5m (Type II). For infinity shots it's still best to stop down to f8 or so. Even f5.6 is pretty good but I think extreme edges and corners improve a bit further by f8. I think it works fine at wider apertures for close to mid-range shots as well on Sony too. I have owned a lot of 28mm rangefinder lenses that I've used on my Sony, also including Minolta M-Rokkor and 2 copies of Avenon 28/3.5 LTM, and the new Color-Skopar 28/2.8 is my favorite among all of them on Sony.

Cheers,
Juha

Oct 30, 2023 at 10:19 PM

Juha Kannisto
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p.14 #17 · p.14 #17 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
I always enjoy your reportage-style photos, Juha. They truly takes me back to Tokyo whenever I check your galleries.

I swapped my 28/2 Ultron for the 28/2.8 Color-Skopar (Type I) because it's super compact. I like the way the Color-Skopar renders images better, and the resolution and contrast are nearly identical in both lenses.

Thanks very much, Fred! I also traded my 28/2 v2 Ultron away after getting the 28/2.8 because of hard-infinity calibration which is spot-on on my 28/2.8 but was off on my 28/2 (always had to focus at around 5m mark for best corner-to-corner results), and because I enjoyed using the 28/2.8 more in general. It also helps that it's so compact and comes with a very small hood as well. Now I think I'm settled with this as far as adapted rangefinder lenses go, but I'm still hoping for native 28mm (or equivalent) options from CV for E-mount and X-mount.

Oct 30, 2023 at 10:27 PM

burchyk
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p.14 #18 · p.14 #18 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

(howdy, first post

)

Looking for a 28mm to put on a black chrome M-A.
Trying to decide between Color-Skopar type 1, type 2 or an Ultron (f/2).

I've only briefly tried the Ultron (type 1) on M10-R and the rendering was lovely.

Type 1 pros: 0.7m MFD for film, smallest of 3, looks stunning in black (subjective).
Type 1 cons: rotating aperture ring (adjusting with 1 hand?), less common filters (step up ring 34-39 could be fitted, might interfere with changing the aperture?), infinity lock (can it be unscrewed?).

Type 2 pros: lightest of the 3, non-rotating aperture ring, 39mm filters.
Type 2 cons: not as small as type 1, 0.5m MFD for film.

Ultron pros: probably the sharpest, 39mm filters, extra stop.
Ultron cons: larger, heavier, 50% more expensive with the hood, 0.5m MFD.

Can anyone comment on ergonomics of muscle-memory prefocusing and fast street shooting with the longer focus throw of type 1?

How is the focusing resistance on the Skopars?
My 35mm Ultron is still a bit stiff and sticky even after trying to break it in for about a month.
28mm Ultron type 1 was perfectly light and smooth.

Did anyone compare the 28mm Skopar vs 28mm Ultron on film yet?

Oct 31, 2023 at 06:39 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.14 #19 · p.14 #19 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

burchyk wrote:
(howdy, first post

)

Looking for a 28mm to put on a black chrome M-A.
Trying to decide between Color-Skopar type 1, type 2 or an Ultron (f/2).

I've only briefly tried the Ultron (type 1) on M10-R and the rendering was lovely.

Type 1 pros: 0.7m MFD for film, smallest of 3, looks stunning in black (subjective).
Type 1 cons: rotating aperture ring (adjusting with 1 hand?), less common filters (step up ring 34-39 could be fitted, might interfere with changing the aperture?), infinity lock (can it be unscrewed?).

Type 2 pros: lightest of the 3, non-rotating aperture ring, 39mm filters.
Type 2 cons: not as...Show more →

I'm shallow I guess because I don't like how the shiny black paint Voigtlanders look with the black chrome cameras. The 28 Color-Skopar Type II in matte(-ish) black is the only one I would consider with a black chrome M-A, either that or any of them in silver.

Oct 31, 2023 at 08:53 PM

bluesun267
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p.14 #20 · p.14 #20 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

For the life of me, I can't find a 34-39mm step up ring. Been looking for one for my vintage Canon ltm lenses as well.
Why doesn't someone make this? There's plenty of 34-37, but that's just as useful as nothing at all.
I kind of wish CV hadn't been so slavish to the vintage style on the Type 1 in terms of filters.

Nov 16, 2023 at 03:06 PM

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