Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1 2 3 … 10

12 … 17 18 end

Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #1 · p.11 #1 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Sample 6: At 1.5m

Here’s another sample with the subject focused at 1.5 meters. This is the sweet spot where the rendering remains smooth, with minimal structure and outlining. While the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar offers smoother rendering at any distance, I personally prefer the more characterful draw of the new 50mm f/2.2!

Full image resized

Focused area at 100% magnification

Rendering at 50% magnificaiton

Rendering at 50% magnificaiton: corner

Aug 01, 2024 at 06:26 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #2 · p.11 #2 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Although the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 shows higher vignetting compared to the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar, it actually produces less optical vignetting. This is surprising and a welcome trait. Therefore, you can expect less cat's-eye-shaped bokeh with the CV 50/2.2 when shooting at wide apertures.

Here is a quick sample comparing the specular highlight rendering of both lenses at the same apertures, showing the center and very corners of the frame:

CENTER: Left: CV 50/2.2 Color Skopar | Right: CV 50/2 APO-Lanthar

EXTREME CORNER: Left: CV 50/2.2 Color Skopar | Right: CV 50/2 APO-Lanthar

Aug 01, 2024 at 06:30 PM

Desmolicious
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #3 · p.11 #3 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Back to sample shots contributed by FM members

Focus shift test. 10r on tripod so position stable, focus with live view on the middle battery @ 2.2. Then the only thing touched was changing aperture.
The pics were at close to min focus, and the reason they are slightly different in size due to my clumsy cropping.

2.2

2.8

5.6

Aug 01, 2024 at 07:02 PM

hmzimelka
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #4 · p.11 #4 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

My lens arrived today. I've just taken some crude test photos, but the first disappointment is my assumption of focal length being longer than the Nokton 50mm 1/5 ASPH, based on FOV specs quoted by Cosina. An FOV 47.3º for the Skopar, 46.3º for the Nokton and 47º for the Planar.

EDIT: I have somehow confused myself in all of this, thinking that 47º is narrower than 46º and switching things things around in my head. Really dumb mistake. hahaha

My copy is also not optimally centred. The left mid-zone shows more astigmatism than the right side. (probably still in "spec") No option for return. Over the years Robert White on more than one occasion told me "It is virtually impossible to get a 'bad copy' as every lens returned for apparent poor performance have all been checked by Cosina and every single lens comes back to us within tolerances" I suspect I'll get the same answer this time too.

Edited on Aug 02, 2024 at 10:34 AM · View previous versions

Aug 02, 2024 at 05:46 AM

Malabito
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #5 · p.11 #5 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

hmzimelka wrote:
My lens arrived today. I've just taken some crude test photos, but the first disappointment is my assumption of focal length being longer than the Nokton 50mm 1/5 ASPH, based on FOV specs quoted by Cosina. An FOV 47.3º for the Skopar, 46.3º for the Nokton and 47º for the Planar.

The Planar is quite a fair bit wider than the Nokton 50mm ASPH II (now sold) and the Skopar is as wide as the Planar. So the specs are not representative of what one sees in practice.

My copy is also not optimally centred. The left mid-zone shows more astigmatism...Show more →

How does a 0.7 degree difference affect you in anyway? What kind of photography are you doing that this is an issue?

Aug 02, 2024 at 09:25 AM

hmzimelka
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #6 · p.11 #6 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Malabito wrote:
How does a 0.7 degree difference affect you in anyway? What kind of photography are you doing that this is an issue?

EDIT: Sorry I'm an idiot.

I got the numbers mixed up in my head. 47º is obviously wider than 46.

In practice, the Skopar is wider than Nokton, which in turn is wider than the Summicron. Framing is the annoying issue for me coming from the Summicron which is pretty much spot on with my M11 framelines

Edited on Aug 02, 2024 at 10:29 AM · View previous versions

Aug 02, 2024 at 09:44 AM

Desmolicious
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #7 · p.11 #7 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

That’s interesting. Leica engraves the actual/real focal lengths on their lenses eg 51.2 etc.
I know the FOV between my 40s is quite different. I should test and post identical test shots w all my 50s, but will do it in a dedicated thread so not to digress this one. Or not.

Aug 02, 2024 at 09:52 AM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #8 · p.11 #8 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

hmzimelka wrote:
Maybe you didn't understand what I wrote.

In practice, the Skopar is wider than Nokton, which in turn is wider than the Summicron. Framing is an issue. The Nokton which is supposedly "wider" than the Skopar according to specs, is actually longer in practice.

Now coming from the Summicron, and shooting the Skopar or the Planar, the angle of view is much wider. Its not 0.7º!!!

It’s tough to determine the most accurate lens. When I compared it to the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron, which is noticeably narrower, the difference can be seen as either an advantage or disadvantage depending on your preference.

In tests, the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar and the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar showed that the Color-Skopar is slightly narrower. Meanwhile, both the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron and Summilux lenses have an even narrower angle of view. I’ve provided a comparison showing these lenses at infinity, focusing on the extreme corners to highlight the angle of view.

Remember that lens variations and distortion can affect these comparisons:

Aug 02, 2024 at 10:28 AM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #9 · p.11 #9 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Desmolicious wrote:
Focus shift test. 10r on tripod so position stable, focus with live view on the middle battery @ 2.2. Then the only thing touched was changing aperture.
The pics were at close to min focus, and the reason they are slightly different in size due to my clumsy cropping.

2.2

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53896476398_0340e87b27_o.jpg

2.8

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53896657195_184c83644b_o.jpg

4

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53895314582_79d987b756_o.jpg

5.6

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53896572564_cbe35759a4_o.jpg

8

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53895314552_81033c2872_o.jpg

11

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53895314547_ea81dd5406_o.jpg

16

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53896476428_d598316617_o.jpg

Nice, Huss!

I also noticed minimal focus shift in my MFD test. Since your test was shot from an angle above, it's important to consider the word "AS" from Panasonic. It stays sharp across all apertures, showing virtually no focus shift. I would recommend stopping down to f/5.6, as results beyond this aperture are noticeably affected by depth of field.

Aug 02, 2024 at 01:26 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #10 · p.11 #10 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Back to Quick Links

Flare Resistance

Based on my experience testing various 50mm f/2 M-lenses over the years, it's clear that many Leica M lenses are not known for their flare resistance. While I haven't yet tested the Leica 50/2 APO, the Summicron and Summilux series, including the latest models, tend to produce noticeable veiling flare.

In contrast, Cosina prioritizes flare resistance, especially with their multi-coated lenses like the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar. This lens is indeed flare-resistant, particularly compared to other M lenses. After taking numerous sample shots in various lighting conditions, including backlighting, I found it challenging to produce significant veiling flare unless pushing the lens to its limits. The included hood is relatively small and seems less effective, but I only encountered ghosting in two instances when it wasn't used.

In the following comparison, we'll assess the flare resistance of the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar versus the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron. The sun was still low at 9 a.m. in California. I wasn't able to induce any ghosting or veiling flare with the Cosina lens, except in instances where I removed the hood and deliberately tried to create flare. Stopping down the lens removes the ghosting flare completely.

ILCE-7RM2 Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color Skopar lens 50mm 1/250s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM2 Leica Summilux-M 1:1.4/50 lens 50mm 1/1000s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM2 ---- lens 1/1250s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM2 Leica Summilux-M 1:1.4/50 lens 50mm 1/4000s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM2 Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color Skopar lens 50mm 1/800s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM2 Leica Summilux-M 1:1.4/50 lens 50mm 1/2500s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Flare with the CV 50/2.2. It occurred without the lens hood

ILCE-7RM2 Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color Skopar lens 50mm 1/320s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Flare with the CV 50/2.2. It occurred without the lens hood

ILCE-7RM2 Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color Skopar lens 50mm 1/1250s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Flare with the CV 50/2.2. It occurred without the lens hood

LEICA M10-R f/2.8 1/750s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Aug 02, 2024 at 04:33 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #11 · p.11 #11 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Back to Quick Links

Chromatic Aberration Control

Given the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar’s size and the number of elements, particularly its lack of aspherical elements, I anticipated subpar chromatic aberration control. However, Cosina has once again surprised me by producing a compact lens with excellent CA control. There is only negligible lateral CA, which can be easily corrected in post-processing in a non-destructive manner, and very low axial CA as well.

Although it's not an APO lens, the 50/2.2 Color-Skopar performs admirably in controlling color errors. When it comes to purple fringing, I've seen exceptional performance even under conditions that typically induce this effect, although a slight amount of purple fringing can be unavoidable in extremely high-contrast situations.

Here are images that demonstrate the lens’s control over lateral and axial CA:

Minimal Purple fringing

From another angle showing a bit more Purple fringing

Lack a green fringing in the background

Total lack of green fringing from the high contrast area in the background

Faint green fringing is high contrast area

Here is the most green fringing I've seen.

Very faint axial CA fringing

Aug 02, 2024 at 05:11 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #12 · p.11 #12 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Here is a comparison illustrating the level of lateral CA. This aberration is visible off-axis (toward the corners of the image) at any aperture setting, though with the CV 50mm f/2.2 Color Skopar, it appears in a very small amount.

Below are images with correction OFF and ON in Lightroom:

Correction OFF

Correction ON (In Lightroom)

Aug 02, 2024 at 05:19 PM

Desmolicious
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #13 · p.11 #13 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
Flare Resistance

Based on my experience testing various 50mm f/2 M-lenses over the years, it's clear that many Leica M lenses are not known for their flare resistance. While I haven't yet tested the Leica 50/2 APO, the Summicron and Summilux series, including the latest models, tend to produce noticeable veiling flare.

In contrast, Cosina prioritizes flare resistance, especially with their multi-coated lenses like the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar. This lens is indeed flare-resistant, particularly compared to other M lenses. After taking numerous sample shots in various lighting conditions, including backlighting, I found it challenging to produce significant veiling flare unless pushing...Show more →

This is why I bought the lens.

Aug 02, 2024 at 06:50 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #14 · p.11 #14 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

I thought the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar would have a tactile "click" on the focus ring to indicate when it reaches the 0.7m focus distance where the rangefinder coupling disengages. However, it turns out this feature is not present. It may only be included in the upcoming Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar.

Aug 02, 2024 at 08:41 PM

Juha Kannisto
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #15 · p.11 #15 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
I thought the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar would have a tactile "click" on the focus ring to indicate when it reaches the 0.7m focus distance where the rangefinder coupling disengages. However, it turns out this feature is not present. It may only be included in the upcoming Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar.

It was only mentioned for the 50/3.5 at the original CP+ announcement so I think it was never planned for the 50/2.2. Maybe the future VM lenses will all have it though.

Aug 03, 2024 at 02:21 AM

rsolti13
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #16 · p.11 #16 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Juha Kannisto wrote:
It was only mentioned for the 50/3.5 at the original CP+ announcement so I think it was never planned for the 50/2.2. Maybe the future VM lenses will all have it though.

Hopefully one of the reasons for the discontinuation of the 1.2 lenses

Aug 03, 2024 at 06:09 AM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #17 · p.11 #17 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Back to Quick Links

Final Thoughts

Many of us have a collection of 50mm lenses, and it takes something truly unique to persuade us to add another to our lineup. Is the new Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar that lens? It certainly stands out. Although it’s not exactly an f/2 lens, it ranks among the most compact options available for similar apertures. Its lightweight design makes it an excellent match for your M body, offering a balance of build quality and aesthetics.

So, is it a worthwhile addition? Absolutely. This lens delivers impressive performance with minimal trade-offs. It’s sharp across the entire frame even wide open, controls color aberrations well, shows low distortion, and resists flare. While its rendering may not be the smoothest, it has a pleasing and distinctive character.

In summary, if you’re looking for a compact, high-performing lens with personality, the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar is a standout choice, whether as your first 50mm or a valuable addition to your existing collection.

Pros:

Ultra-compact and lightweight design
High resolution and contrast across the image field from wide open
Low distortion
Flat-field curvature
Great performance at minimal focus distance
Solid aluminum build with tight tolerance
Aperture mechanism creates defined 10-pointed sunstars starting at f/3.2
Low chromatic aberration
Great flare resistance

Cons:

High vignetting
”Two-tone” Black version asthetics may not appeal to all

Aug 03, 2024 at 09:47 AM

Xavier Rival
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #18 · p.11 #18 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Many thanks for the very informative review!

This looks like another fascinating lens from CV...

Aug 03, 2024 at 11:46 AM

Desmolicious
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.11 #19 · p.11 #19 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
Final Thoughts

Many of us have a collection of 50mm lenses, and it takes something truly unique to persuade us to add another to our lineup. Is the new Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar that lens? It certainly stands out. Although it’s not exactly an f/2 lens, it ranks among the most compact options available for similar apertures. Its lightweight design makes it an excellent match for your M body, offering a balance of build quality and aesthetics.

So, is it a worthwhile addition? Absolutely. This lens delivers impressive performance with minimal trade-offs. It’s sharp across the entire frame even wide open,...Show more →

I think a deserved pro is minimal (if any) focus shift.

W/re. to vignetting, it seems much lower on film. But I will actually test this now and post those results in a day or so (once I have gone through my back log of film that needs scanning!).
I think that will be a big deal for all those nuts out there still shooting film.

Aug 03, 2024 at 12:01 PM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.11 #20 · p.11 #20 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Desmolicious wrote:
I think a deserved pro is minimal (if any) focus shift.

W/re. to vignetting, it seems much lower on film. But I will actually test this now and post those results in a day or so (once I have gone through my back log of film that needs scanning!).
I think that will be a big deal for all those nuts out there still shooting film.

I could also highlight as a positive point that this lens shows lower optical vignetting compared to other Cosina 50mm lenses. Although Cosina generally does not prioritize this characteristic, which can appear as cat's eye bokeh, the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar performs better in this aspect, despite having slightly higher fall-off compared to other lenses...

I've seen your results with film, and it's impressive how lenses that show considerable vignetting on digital can have normal vignetting on film. You’ve inspired me to take out my M-P with the CV 50/2.2. 👍

Aug 03, 2024 at 12:31 PM

1 2 3 … 10 11 12 … 17 18 end
FM Forums \| Leica & Alternative Gear \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 … 10 11 12 … 17 18 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.