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Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda
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p.6 #1 · p.6 #1 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Mid-Field Resolution and Contrast
Infinity Performance compared to Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (v2)

Mid-field at F/2.8

Mid-field at F/4

Mid-field at F/5.6

Mid-field at F/8

Aug 09, 2023 at 06:50 PM

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p.6 #2 · p.6 #2 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Extreme Corner Resolution and Contrast
Infinity Performance compared to Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (v2)

Extreme Corner at f/2.8

Extreme Corner at f/4

Extreme Corner at f/5.6

Extreme Corner at f/8

Aug 09, 2023 at 06:51 PM

Desmolicious
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p.6 #3 · p.6 #3 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Is it me, or do the Leica images look brighter/have more exposure?

Aug 09, 2023 at 07:42 PM

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p.6 #4 · p.6 #4 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Desmolicious wrote:
Is it me, or do the Leica images look brighter/have more exposure?

The Leica's vignetting is better controlled, so expect to see brighter crops off-axis.

Aug 09, 2023 at 08:05 PM

rscheffler
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p.6 #5 · p.6 #5 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

In the VM mid-field crop the foreground foliage looks sharp whereas the infinity hillside is softer than the Leica (and Ultron v2). Wondering about field curvature at play here. Any chance you'll do a 'find edges' field curvature sequence?

Aug 09, 2023 at 11:53 PM

madNbad
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p.6 #6 · p.6 #6 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
The Leica's vignetting is better controlled, so expect to see brighter crops off-axis.

That's what you get for an extra two thousand dollars.

Aug 10, 2023 at 12:07 AM

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p.6 #7 · p.6 #7 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

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Infinity Performance compared to Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 pancake

For fun, I decided to compare my super compact Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 lens with the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar. Creating small lenses that perform well is quite a challenge, but Cosina really pulled off something impressive with their tiny lens that still performs at a high level. When I looked at the comparison, I noticed that the Brightin Star has a tough time at the edges due to strong field curvature. While it's decent at the center, the Voigtlander lens still comes out on top, giving better resolution and micro-contrast.

Both lenses weigh nearly the same. Interestingly, the Brightin Star, built with brass, actually weighs a bit more at 113 grams.

Distance: Infinity
Focus: Center - Best of three @ 12.4x magnification
WB: Daylight for both lenses
Both Lenses perfectly centered using my decentering test
Software: Lightroom with FM Default Landscape Sharpening. All other settings set to default

PS: Vignetting, CA and distortion were NOT corrected for both lenses.

Center Resolution and Contrast
Infinity Performance compared to Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 pancake

Center at f/2.8

Center at f/4

Center at f/5.6

Center at f/8

Aug 10, 2023 at 05:52 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.6 #8 · p.6 #8 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Mid-Field Resolution and Contrast
Infinity Performance compared to Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 pancake

Mid-field at F/2.8

Mid-field at F/4

Mid-field at F/5.6

Mid-field at F/8

Aug 10, 2023 at 05:53 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.6 #9 · p.6 #9 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Extreme Corner Resolution and Contrast
Infinity Performance compared to Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 pancake

The Brightin Star performs poorly here due to extreme field curvature. (Outwards)

Extreme Corner at f/2.8

Extreme Corner at f/4

Extreme Corner at f/5.6

Extreme Corner at f/8

Aug 10, 2023 at 05:54 PM

tsdevine
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p.6 #10 · p.6 #10 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

I think the syrup on that pancake ran to the corners…..

Fred Miranda wrote:
Extreme Corner Resolution and Contrast
Infinity Performance compared to Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 pancake

The Brightin Star performs poorly here due to extreme field curvature. (Outwards)

Aug 10, 2023 at 06:22 PM

Desmolicious
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p.6 #11 · p.6 #11 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
Extreme Corner Resolution and Contrast
Infinity Performance compared to Brightin Star 28mm f/2.8 pancake

The Brightin Star performs poorly here due to extreme field curvature. (Outwards)

I like what I see from the Brightin Star. It's like a mini Petzval lens.

Aug 10, 2023 at 06:30 PM

Desmolicious
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p.6 #12 · p.6 #12 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Not meaning to distract, but my Nikon 50 1.4 S (rangefinder lens from the 1960s) was also smeary in the corners. Here on film using my Nikon S2

That lens was at least five times the size of the Brightin Star!

Aug 10, 2023 at 06:35 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.6 #13 · p.6 #13 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

As I mentioned earlier, the problem with the Brightin Star stems from the extreme field curvature shape. This causes the center to be focused at infinity, while the corners end up focused as if they're only one meter away!

Aug 10, 2023 at 06:43 PM

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

Curious to see more examples of the rendering / color differences between the Elmarit and this new VM lens. First Voigtlander I’ve tried.

Aug 10, 2023 at 10:14 PM

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p.6 #15 · p.6 #15 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

TheEyesHaveIt wrote:
Curious to see more examples of the rendering / color differences between the Elmarit and this new VM lens. First Voigtlander I’ve tried.

I'm planning to compare them for their rendering soon. Unfortunately, the weather here hasn't been ideal lately.

Aug 11, 2023 at 11:08 AM

highdesertmesa
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p.6 #16 · p.6 #16 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Can anyone confirm the Type I lenses are indeed brass? Camera Quest description says it is brass, but they recently had an incorrect description on the 75 1.9 SC regarding brass vs aluminum. The 40 2.8 is brass, and I want a matching 28/40 set with the same design provided the Type I is not aluminum.

Aug 11, 2023 at 02:16 PM

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p.6 #17 · p.6 #17 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

highdesertmesa wrote:
Can anyone confirm the Type I lenses are indeed brass? Camera Quest description says it is brass, but they recently had an incorrect description on the 75 1.9 SC regarding brass vs aluminum. The 40 2.8 is brass, and I want a matching 28/40 set with the same design provided the Type I is not aluminum.

Given the details from Cosina's official lens description and the lens weight, I'm confident in stating that the Type I has a brass exterior.

From Cosina:
"High-performance wide-angle lens focused on light handling on rangefinder camera.
The latest optical design and aspherical element made the lens with as same optical performance as our ULTRON Vintage Line 28mm F2 Aspherical VM-mount lens, while keeping the maximum aperture at F2.8 for extremely compact styling.
Type I has a nostalgic and tasteful appearance and is made of brass for the exterior."

Aug 11, 2023 at 02:26 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.6 #18 · p.6 #18 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

The Type I version of the camera is a bit heavier by 37 grams, but it's made with a strong brass construction. However, when it comes to focusing close, it can only go down to 0.7 meters, which is the limit of the rangefinder. In contrast, the Type II can focus closer, down to 0.5 meters.

Additionally, in the Type II, some might prefer that the aperture and focusing rings can be set separately, providing more precise control.

It's not clear if the way they control vignetting is different between the two Types because their filter thread sizes vary (39mm vs. 34mm).

Aug 11, 2023 at 03:27 PM

highdesertmesa
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p.6 #19 · p.6 #19 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
The Type I version of the camera is a bit heavier by 37 grams, but it's made with a strong brass construction. However, when it comes to focusing close, it can only go down to 0.7 meters, which is the limit of the rangefinder. In contrast, the Type II can focus closer, down to 0.5 meters.

Additionally, in the Type II, some might prefer that the aperture and focusing rings can be set separately, providing more precise control.

It's not clear if the way they control vignetting is different between the two Types because their filter thread sizes vary (39mm vs....Show more →

Yes, so the plan for me would be using the Type on the M where I will appreciate the 0.7m hard stop limit. The 34mm filter will allow me to share filters with the 40 2.8 with the 28/40 combo. Used on the SL2, the MFD I can reduce via the macro adapter far below 0.5m. Vignetting is the variable. Given how small that front element is, I wouldn't expect the Type I to have worse vignetting, but that's just a guess.

If I got the Type II, what I really want is the silver lens but with the black hood. Unfortunately the silver Type II comes with a silver hood unlike the Type I, which are full panda

Aug 11, 2023 at 05:31 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.6 #20 · p.6 #20 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar Review

highdesertmesa wrote:
Yes, so the plan for me would be using the Type on the M where I will appreciate the 0.7m hard stop limit. The 34mm filter will allow me to share filters with the 40 2.8 with the 28/40 combo. Used on the SL2, the MFD I can reduce via the macro adapter far below 0.5m. Vignetting is the variable. Given how small that front element is, I wouldn't expect the Type I to have worse vignetting, but that's just a guess.

If I got the Type II, what I really want is the silver lens but with the black hood....Show more →

Sounds like a great idea! The Type I version will definitely look good on the M. I also really like the panda mix of black and silver.

Aug 11, 2023 at 06:37 PM

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