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Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #1 · p.7 #1 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

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Distortion

The Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar exhibits low pincushion distortion, though it might be noticeable in certain images. While there are no available profiles for Lightroom yet, the distortion can be easily corrected using the Lightroom slider set to -3, as demonstrated in the below samples. Many recent 50mm lenses from Cosina have a similar level of pincushion distortion, requiring Lightroom corrections in the range of -2 to -4.

Image without any distortion correction

Image after pincushion correction in Lightroom

Amount of correction

Jul 26, 2024 at 12:36 PM

hanay78
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p.7 #2 · p.7 #2 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Dear Fred, I am curious about the thin filter conversion today. I have the impression that many M-mount lens users simply go Nikon. In your opinion, is thin filter conversion still the better way to go for Leica glass in EVF? Probably A7RII with the conversion is cheaper than a stock Z7

Fred Miranda wrote:
I'll try to borrow one since I just converted my A7R II to a thin filter. I love the results; it feels like shooting with a Leica sensor. Here's a test I did yesterday with the CV 28/2.8 Color-Skopar lens wide open. For those with modified sensors, I can also share resolution and contrast results with the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar.

Jul 26, 2024 at 01:14 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #3 · p.7 #3 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

The Z-mount sensor cover glass is thinner than Sony’s but still not ideal. Even the SL cameras have thicker stacks compared to the Leica M’s. Therefore, a UT conversion would yield the best results. In my opinion, the A7R II or A7R III are excellent candidates for this.

hanay78 wrote:
Dear Fred, I am curious about the thin filter conversion today. I have the impression that many M-mount lens users simply go Nikon. In your opinion, is thin filter conversion still the better way to go for Leica glass in EVF? Probably A7RII with the conversion is cheaper than a stock Z7

Jul 26, 2024 at 01:42 PM

mskad2
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p.7 #4 · p.7 #4 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

There are two excellent posts on phillipreeve.net about sensor stack and Kolari conversion:

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/different-filter-stacks-and-what-they-mean-for-us-sony-e-nikon-z-leica-m-kolari-ut/

and

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-kolari-ultra-thin-sensor-stack-modification/

Note that once converted, performance of native E lens on Kolari modified Sony cameras is worse. This is why I am hesitant to convert my A7RII (and also the fact that I only have 2 M mount lenses).

Jul 26, 2024 at 01:50 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #5 · p.7 #5 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

mskad2 wrote:
Note that once converted, performance of native E lens on Kolari modified Sony cameras is worse. This is why I am hesitant to convert my A7RII (and also the fact that I only have 2 M mount lenses).

It depends on the lens. With some lenses the conversion actually improves their native outwards field curvature. Having said that, you should not convert if you plan on using E-mount lenses on it. It should be a dedicated body for M lenses.

Jul 26, 2024 at 01:55 PM

rscheffler
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p.7 #6 · p.7 #6 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Have I missed it, or any discussion about LoCA? I'm guessing this is one aspect where the new 50/3.5 APO will have an advantage, though the 50/2.2 at f/3.5 should be much improved compared to wide open.

Jul 26, 2024 at 01:57 PM

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

Fred Miranda wrote:
..

Regarding the CV 50/1.5 II, these lenses are quite different despite having the same focal length. The 50/1.5 is less corrected and produces a distinct look in its images. It would be interesting to see how they perform at f/2.2, but I believe the CV 50/2.2 will still exhibit less lateral chromatic aberration and lower spherical aberration.

@rscheffler maybe this helps?

Jul 26, 2024 at 03:46 PM

philip_pj
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p.7 #8 · p.7 #8 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

'I am hesitant to convert my A7RII (and also the fact that I only have 2 M mount lenses)'

Sony's long-standing business model was to front end load features and core components into cameras at an early stage in their (single-handed) development of the full frame mirrorless market. So even the early models had great sensors and all had solid focus aids.

This model and the rapid sales of the cameras means that owning two (or more) of their a7 series cameras is practical and viable economically. Another a7rII will not cost you much, and the frequent model updates means many of them are available at good prices.

The early cameras are lighter and smaller, so even carrying two of them around is easy. Forum chat does not accurately reflect the very large number of contented users of early Sony a7 series cameras. Kolari even does conversions of the a7r.

In fact, you pay significantly more for UT conversions of later model Sonys:

https://kolarivision.com/product/sony-a7-series-thin-filter-legacy-lens-upgrade/

Voigtlander lenses in recent years always appeared in M-mount, and very few have made it to E/Z/RF mounts. You will miss out on the most exciting period of manual focus lens development since mass production was introduced. The latest release of Voigtlanders are tiny and weigh much less than an iphone.

This company never sleeps. One of the hardest things in life is to recognise when you are living in special times.

Jul 26, 2024 at 04:58 PM

Desmolicious
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p.7 #9 · p.7 #9 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

So I ordered a black one. What can I say? I love small lenses on M cameras - that was the original design intention.

I'm going to sell lenses that I have not used in a long while - 50 Nokton 1.1, 7A 50 1.1 (hmm, maybe... that has some gorgeous old Hollywood movie star glow wide open), 28 Ultron v2 (now that I have the 28 2.8 v1 to match my 40 2.8 CV), TTA 28 5.6 black paint (again now that I have the CV 28 2.8), the CV 28 3.5, Summicron 40 f2 (I have three other 40s!), maybe the nickel/brass SC Nokton 1.5 II but I kinda feel this lens will be desired as it is no longer in production. Plus the Nikon FG's gotta go. And whatever else I don't use!

What is not being sold? The amazing Reto Ultra Wide N Slim.

Jul 26, 2024 at 05:07 PM

Desmolicious
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p.7 #10 · p.7 #10 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

fyi I ordered it from Popflash. 10 minutes after I ordered I got a email saying it shipped! Should get it tomorrow.

Jul 26, 2024 at 05:24 PM

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

Fred Miranda wrote:
It depends on the lens. With some lenses the conversion actually improves their native outwards field curvature. Having said that, you should not convert if you plan on using E-mount lenses on it. It should be a dedicated body for M lenses.

Any film-era lenses, really. The mod plays very well with the little manual 135-format stuff.

Jul 26, 2024 at 05:33 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #12 · p.7 #12 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

hanay78 wrote:
Dear Fred, I am curious about the thin filter conversion today. I have the impression that many M-mount lens users simply go Nikon. In your opinion, is thin filter conversion still the better way to go for Leica glass in EVF? Probably A7RII with the conversion is cheaper than a stock Z7

---------------------------------------------

mskad2 wrote:
Note that once converted, performance of native E lens on Kolari modified Sony cameras is worse. This is why I am hesitant to convert my A7RII (and also the fact that I only have 2 M mount lenses).

---------------------------------------------

Fred Miranda wrote:
It depends on the lens. With some lenses the conversion actually improves their native outwards field curvature. Having said that, you should not convert if you plan on using E-mount lenses on it. It should be a dedicated body for M lenses.

Following up on this discussion, I was curious about how my Loxia 35/2 Biogon and Loxia 50/2 Planar E-mount lenses would perform on the Kolari-modded A7R II. The result is that they perform better off-axis on the Kolari-modified version compared to the standard A7R II. I've noticed similar improvements with other E-mount AF lenses I've tested, but this enhancement is specific to lenses that benefit from the "field curvature" change caused by the thinner cover glass.

I considered selling my Loxia lenses because I could use my 35/50 M-mount lenses on the A7R II UT. However, since the Loxia lenses perform even better than before, I'm keeping them for the nostalgia, their aesthetic appeal, and their electronic transmission features.

Jul 26, 2024 at 05:35 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #13 · p.7 #13 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

I just did a resolution test comparing the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar to the Leica 50/2 Summicron (Rigid). Since both are compact 50mm f/2 lenses with the same number of elements, aperture blades, and filter thread size, I thought it would be interesting to include this comparison in the review. The Rigid is one of my favorite 50mm lenses and offers impressive resolution despite being an older classic.

Jul 26, 2024 at 05:45 PM

Desmolicious
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p.7 #14 · p.7 #14 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
I just did a resolution test comparing the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar to the Leica 50/2 Summicron (Rigid). Since both are compact 50mm f/2 lenses with the same number of elements, aperture blades, and filter thread size, I thought it would be interesting to include this comparison in the review. The Rigid is one of my favorite 50mm lenses and offers impressive resolution despite being an older classic.

I did an impromptu resolution test (it initally started out as a focus test to check calibration) a few months ago on film with my M3. And the 50 DR (which has the same optics as the Rigid) was equal to the v5 Cron (latest one), as well as Summilux Asph. And a bit better than my 50 1.5II Nokton, and a lot better than my since sold CV 50 2.5 Color Skopar.
I repeated on digital to make sure I wasn't mistaken (10r w EVF) - same thing.
I'm expecting/hoping that my incoming CV 50 2.2 will be a lot better than my old Color Skopar 50 2.5

This was at close to MFD. No infinity stuff.

Jul 26, 2024 at 06:11 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #15 · p.7 #15 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

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Infinity Resolution and Contrast: Voigtlander 50/2.2 Color-Skopar vs Leica 50/2 Summicron 'Rigid'

Old vs. New...

Since the Voigtlander 50/2.2 Color-Skopar and Leica 50/2 Summicron 'Rigid' are both compact 50mm f/2 lenses with the same number of elements, aperture blades, and filter thread size, I thought it would be interesting to include a resolution and contrast comparison in the review. The Rigid is one of my favorite 50mm lenses for its ahead-of-its-time resolution, contrast, and characterful rendering.
Having used this lens for many years, I knew it was very sharp at the center wide open and offered excellent resolution and contrast in the mid-zone and corners when stopped down. As shown in the comparison below, it held its own against the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar, maintaining its edge at the center and performing well towards the edges when stopped down a couple of stops.

The Leica 50/2 Rigid's angle of view appears narrower than the Color-Skopar's, even though their published angles of view are 47.2° and 47.3°, respectively.

Kudos to the new CV 50/2.2 for surpassing one of Leica's classics.

Here is the full image thumbnail showing the area demonstrated at 1:1 magnification.

Distance: Infinity
Camera: Leica M10-R
Focus: Center - Best of three @ 12.4x magnification
WB: Daylight
Lens centered using my decentering test.
Software: Lightroom with my default landscape sharpening. All other settings set to default

PS: Vignetting and distortion were NOT corrected. All in-camera corrections turned 'off'.

f/2 = f/2.2 for the CV 50/2.2 Color-Skopar
___________

At Center
Infinity Resolution and Contrast: Voigtlander 50/2.2 Color-Skopar vs Leica 50/2 Summicron 'Rigid'

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Jul 26, 2024 at 06:21 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #16 · p.7 #16 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

At Mid-field
Infinity Resolution and Contrast: Voigtlander 50/2.2 Color-Skopar vs Leica 50/2 Summicron 'Rigid'

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Jul 26, 2024 at 06:21 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #17 · p.7 #17 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

At Extreme Corner
Infinity Resolution and Contrast: Voigtlander 50/2.2 Color-Skopar vs Leica 50/2 Summicron 'Rigid'

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8

Jul 26, 2024 at 06:21 PM

MAubrey
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p.7 #18 · p.7 #18 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Jul 26, 2024 at 06:29 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.7 #19 · p.7 #19 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

FM members who have already received the Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar, feel free to post your sample images. I'll include links to them in the review!

Jul 26, 2024 at 06:32 PM

philip_pj
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p.7 #20 · p.7 #20 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

From what is seen thus far, this tiny lens combines character with surprisingly high resolution and does it at 135 grams. With all these boxes ticked, it looks like a strong contender for best new all round 50mm.

A VM 50/2 APO comparison would be illuminating, that one's great performance is offset by a longer MFD (0.7m vs 0.5m), twice the weight (288g vs 135g) and length (53mm vs 30mm). (People will complain about the 50/2.2 vignette pattern, however.)

Jul 26, 2024 at 07:15 PM

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