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Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

jc031699
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p.9 #1 · p.9 #1 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

I am fascinated to see this lens, which seems to resemble a vintage Topcor 50/1.5 that is also Sonnar in front and Planar in rear.

https://www.35mmc.com/03/08/2020/tokyo-optical-co-topcor-50mm-f-1-5-ltm-semi-sonnar-mini-review/

https://rangefinderforum.com/threads/topcor-50-1-5.170445/

Jul 28, 2024 at 05:13 PM

philip_pj
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p.9 #2 · p.9 #2 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Leica aficionado Jimmy Cheng has recovered from his ostentatiously video'd 50/2.2 hood removal issues. Here, he presents a rather minimalist video, favoring dimly lit books, etc. over actual images one might take, using the lens to its strengths. He 'compares' the Summicron, Summarit and the 50/2.2. Silver is preferred - he devotes 20% of the video to the finish.

YT title:

Voigtlander 50mm F2.2 Color-Skopar Review | Comparison With Leica Summicron and Summarit

Jul 28, 2024 at 05:18 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.9 #3 · p.9 #3 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

philip_pj wrote:
Leica aficionado Jimmy Cheng has recovered from his ostentatiously video'd 50/2.2 hood removal issues. Here, he presents a rather minimalist video, favoring dimly lit books, etc. over actual images one might take, using the lens to its strengths. He 'compares' the Summicron, Summarit and the 50/2.2. Silver is preferred - he devotes 20% of the video to the finish.

YT title:

Voigtlander 50mm F2.2 Color-Skopar Review | Comparison With Leica Summicron and Summarit

It’s surprising that he had difficulty removing the lens hoods from both the black and silver lenses -- perhaps a bit more strength training might do the trick!

Regarding the focus ring smoothness, I don’t share his view. I actually found it to be quite smooth with just the right amount of resistance, even more pleasant than many of my Leica lenses. It's something Cosina consistently gets right. Also, the aperture ring has a distinctive clickiness, reminiscent of older Cosina lenses. I personally prefer this clicky feel over the smoother, quieter aperture ring rotation found in lenses like the CV 50/2 APO-Lanthar.

Jul 28, 2024 at 06:04 PM

rscheffler
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p.9 #4 · p.9 #4 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

freaklikeme wrote:
Flare resistance has never been a hallmark of the design at that age, though. The modern ZM Planar has the advantage of being redesigned and manufactured in this century.

Great post! Just wanted to comment on the ZM Planar: it still has veiling flare issues in certain situations but from my experience, not quite as bad as many Leica 50s. Back in 2012 Lens Rentals did a resolution comparison of various 50mm lenses, including a selection of M-mount 50s and the ZM compared rather poorly. I didn't really noticed this on the 18MP M9 or 24MP M240 (maybe because I usually used it stopped down), but in 2013 when I tested the 36MP a7R with various M lenses, it was more obvious that the ZM didn't resolve as highly as other 50s, like the 50 Lux ASPH... But it does have much more pronounced sunstars, if you like that effect.

The LR 50mm shootout.

Jul 28, 2024 at 10:43 PM

hmzimelka
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p.9 #5 · p.9 #5 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

freaklikeme wrote:
The closest I've come to film-like performance in digital is an rII with everything, including the CFA, stripped off. All my Nikon and Leica R lenses look the same as they do on the F100 or R9, respectively, when loaded with Tri-X. I wasn't sure how long the sensor would last without any coverglass, but it's been almost four years now and it's still going strong. Those silicon wafers are tougher than I thought.

I don't know that anyone's holding up any of the Cron 50s as state-of-the-art, high objective performers. If you love one, odds are you love it just...Show more →

My Planar gives me absolutely NO reason to choose it over my Cron V, and both lenses were purchased new within the last 3 years. It's worse in distortion, off axis sharpness and detail, longitudinal & axial CA and build quality.

The only thing the planar does better on my M11 is show less Lateral CA, of which the Cron has very little. The Planar has slightly better light transmission at f/2 and f/2.8.

There is no central glow with either the Planar or the Cron. They are both not razor sharp at f/2 but they are certainly sharp enough, and I've come across many Nikkors that are far worse off wide open.

Jul 29, 2024 at 01:41 AM

bjhurley
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p.9 #6 · p.9 #6 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
It’s surprising that he had difficulty removing the lens hoods from both the black and silver lenses -- perhaps a bit more strength training might do the trick!

If this hood is anything like the one on the Color-Skopar 35/2.5 LTM, I actually think it's the opposite of strength that's needed. Mine seemed to be permanently stuck on the lens but one day I tried using a very light touch and it unscrewed right off. I think when you squeeze too hard it binds up and won't move. I have no trouble removing it now as long as I hold the hood very gently; the tip of putting the cap on the hood when attaching or unscrewing the hood also helps.

Jul 29, 2024 at 06:04 AM

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

The hood on the 25mm Snapshot Skopar is apparently similar. The natural inclination seems to be to apply more pressure which means it binds more...

Jul 29, 2024 at 06:39 AM

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p.9 #8 · p.9 #8 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

bjhurley wrote:
If this hood is anything like the one on the Color-Skopar 35/2.5 LTM, I actually think it's the opposite of strength that's needed. Mine seemed to be permanently stuck on the lens but one day I tried using a very light touch and it unscrewed right off. I think when you squeeze too hard it binds up and won't move. I have no trouble removing it now as long as I hold the hood very gently; the tip of putting the cap on the hood when attaching or unscrewing the hood also helps.

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

mapgraphs wrote:
The hood on the 25mm Snapshot Skopar is apparently similar. The natural inclination seems to be to apply more pressure which means it binds more...

This can also happen with screw-in filters or any metal accessories that screw in. Using a rubber grip and applying gentle heat should help resolve the issue.

Jul 29, 2024 at 09:53 AM

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

bjhurley wrote:
If this hood is anything like the one on the Color-Skopar 35/2.5 LTM, I actually think it's the opposite of strength that's needed. Mine seemed to be permanently stuck on the lens but one day I tried using a very light touch and it unscrewed right off. I think when you squeeze too hard it binds up and won't move. I have no trouble removing it now as long as I hold the hood very gently; the tip of putting the cap on the hood when attaching or unscrewing the hood also helps.

Yup I mentioned this before but CV says to use the metal lens caps on their 28 3.5, 50 2.5 and Rollei 40 2.8 to remove and attach the lens hoods. This is to prevent warping/binding of the hood.

Jul 29, 2024 at 10:29 AM

freaklikeme
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p.9 #10 · p.9 #10 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

rscheffler wrote:
Great post! Just wanted to comment on the ZM Planar: it still has veiling flare issues in certain situations but from my experience, not quite as bad as many Leica 50s. Back in 2012 Lens Rentals did a resolution comparison of various 50mm lenses, including a selection of M-mount 50s and the ZM compared rather poorly. I didn't really noticed this on the 18MP M9 or 24MP M240 (maybe because I usually used it stopped down), but in 2013 when I tested the 36MP a7R with various M lenses, it was more obvious that the ZM didn't resolve as highly...Show more →

Thanks, Ron! I do remember this test. The lower resolution never bothered me on the Planar. I had more complaints about the mid-distance bokeh and focus transitions at wide apertures. It was messy in the wrong ways, where the Summicron and C-Sonnar 50 were messy in different but right ways and the Summilux ASPH was an entirely different beast altogether.

Jul 29, 2024 at 01:38 PM

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

hmzimelka wrote:

My Planar gives me absolutely NO reason to choose it over my Cron V, and both lenses were purchased new within the last 3 years. It's worse in distortion, off axis sharpness and detail, longitudinal & axial CA and build quality.

The only thing the planar does better on my M11 is show less Lateral CA, of which the Cron has very little. The Planar has slightly better light transmission at f/2 and f/2.8.

There is no central glow with either the Planar or the Cron. They are both not razor sharp at f/2 but they are certainly sharp enough, and...Show more →

Yeah, Leica's latest DNG processing really sucks the life out of the Cron.

Jul 29, 2024 at 01:41 PM

Desmolicious
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p.9 #12 · p.9 #12 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

I am confused now. I am about to go get my 50 2.2 from UPS. Should I accept delivery or just tell them to return it?

Jul 29, 2024 at 03:53 PM

tunisia
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p.9 #13 · p.9 #13 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

On the MS-Optics lenses I have, the entire front end will turn as I try to set the aperture. This is commond with these lenses. On my 24/2 when I first got it, the front end screwed off completly. No worries, it tightened right up.
However, I was concerned when the front of this new Voightlander 50mm f/2.2 also began to turn as I attempted to set the apertrue. In fact, it seemed it would come off if I weren't careful. "Oh nuts," I thought, "this never happened with a CV lens. Did they mess up this lens?"
I was also annoyed that there was no hood included. That's not what I expected. I was very concerned about this turn of events.
Well, this story has a happy ending, if not an embarassing one. The hood was included and was so loose, I kept on unscrewing it, duh! A lesson to the wise, one man's ceiling is another man's floor. Or sometimes
it's not what you think.
The hood is easy to put on and remove, no probem. I won't be using it as I seldom use hoods. It's just nice to know it's there if I need or want it. And, it's good to know CV is up to its high standards. It's an excellent lens, performance and build wise, as well as a pleasure to shoot.
Joe D

Jul 29, 2024 at 04:18 PM

BrandonSi
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p.9 #14 · p.9 #14 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Desmolicious wrote:
I am confused now. I am about to go get my 50 2.2 from UPS. Should I accept delivery or just tell them to return it?

It's a great lens. I'm really enjoying it. I vote accept!

Jul 29, 2024 at 04:32 PM

Desmolicious
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p.9 #15 · p.9 #15 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

First impressions.

1. Kinda hate the new packaging. Doesn't actually matter, but still.
2. No issues removing the lens hood..
3. Lens looks much better w/o the hood - the hood accentuates that conical look that for some reason Cosina is so fond of. Why can't they take a look at the Summarit 50 2.4 and see what beautiful industrial design looks like?
4. Lens looks worse when you add a filter as the lens hood screws onto the filter. Becomes longer and the filter is really obvious.
5. Aperture action really nice with firm clicks. Blonde moment - I glanced at it and thought "why did they put f22 before f2.8?"....
6. Focus action really nice and smooth, and excellent throw - not too short/quick like a 50mm Elmar M 2.8 - not long and heavy like a Lux Asph 50.
7. Why is the focus tab so thin? It is the perfect length but why so skinny? There is easily enough space on the focus ring to make it at least double the thickness. 50% more would be perfect.

Jul 29, 2024 at 05:44 PM

wolfloid
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p.9 #16 · p.9 #16 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

I don't know that anyone's holding up any of the Cron 50s as state-of-the-art, high objective performers. If you love one, odds are you love it just as much for it's flawed wide-open performance as you do it's solid performance stopped down. The 1976 redesign first launched in the R line and moved to the the M in 1979, if I remember correctly, helped define the "Leica look" for an entire generation, which has kept it in production, with it's undercorrected SA giving everything a soft central glow surrounded by some heavy vignetting. Objectively, it's not even the best double gauss...Show more →

I’m not sure that there is much here that is accurate at all. The Summicron consistently tested better for wide open sharpness in all the many tests I’ve seen over the years than any of the other Japanese f2 lenses you name. In my own experience, it certainly tested considerably better than any 50 from Canon or Pentax. Where do you get your information from?

Jul 29, 2024 at 06:37 PM

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p.9 #17 · p.9 #17 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

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Minimal Focus Distance: Resolution and Contrast

The Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar is impressively versatile focusing down to 0.5m. It provides excellent close-up focus with sharp resolution and contrast even at its minimum focus distance (MFD), despite lacking a floating element design or aspherical elements. For this test, I focused the lens at its MFD of 0.5 meters as well as at 0.65 meters, which is the MFD for the rangefinder coupling.

A notable feature is its consistent sharpness across the entire aperture range, particularly when tested at the rangefinder-coupled distance of 0.65 meters. Although there is a slight improvement in resolution and contrast with each aperture stop, the differences are relatively minor.

Overall, this lens performs great at close range, delivering sharp, detailed images with very good contrast.

The following sequence illustrates its performance from wide open at f/2.2 to f/5.6. The lens was initially focused at f/2.2, and subsequent changes to f/2.8, f/4, and f/5.6 were made without refocusing, demonstrating minimal to no focus shift.

At 0.5m MFD using LiveView

Left: f/2.2 | Right: f/2.8

Left: f/2.8 | Right: f/4

Left: f/4 | Right: f/5.6

Jul 29, 2024 at 06:49 PM

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p.9 #18 · p.9 #18 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

At 0.65m MFD using LiveView

Left: f/2.2 | Right: f/2.8

Left: f/2.8 | Right: f/4

Left: f/4 | Right: f/5.6

Jul 29, 2024 at 06:50 PM

Desmolicious
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p.9 #19 · p.9 #19 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Back to sample shots contributed by FM members

My first pics. Riley - because I never take pics of him. And I just took the lens out of the box and had to make sure light passes through it.

All at 2.2. M10r. No profiles set in camera or out, no crop, no vignette adjust, no nothing.
This lens is very easy to focus - being 2.2 max helps! But also the focus throw and feel.
Focused via rangefinder.

I think it is quite lovely. Looking forward to using this little chunker.

Jul 29, 2024 at 08:21 PM

philip_pj
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p.9 #20 · p.9 #20 · Voigtlander 50mm f/2.2 Color-Skopar Review

Dogs are angels and Riley is no exception. The bokeh and draw aren't half bad either.

Jul 29, 2024 at 09:56 PM

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