Fred Miranda
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The Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar is in stock:
Cameraquest | B&H Photo
Review Quick Links:- About the lens
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast on Leica M10-R (40MP)
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast compared to Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar on Leica M10-R (40MP)
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast compared to Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar on Leica M11 (60MP)
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast compared to Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 Heliar on Leica M11 (60MP)
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast on stock Sony A7CR (61MP)
- Field Curvature
- Sunstar rendering
- Distortion
- Minimal Focus Distance: Resolution and Contrast
- Flare Resistance
- Rendering compared to Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 Heliar and Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar
- Chromatic aberration control: Purple Fringing, Axial and Lateral CA
- Final Thoughts
- Samples 1
- Samples 2
- Samples 3
- Samples 4
- Samples 5
Voigtlander 50/3.5 APO-Lanthar - Intro:
Is the Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar the best compact Nifty Fifty M-mount lens?
Leica M10-R Black Paint with Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar
In February 2024, Cosina announced new lenses, including a 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar designed to complement their existing Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar. While having two high-performance 50mm lenses might seem redundant, they have distinct differences. The new f/3.5 lens is notably more compact, being 8mm shorter and featuring thinner barrels compared to the f/2 version. This is particularly important for rangefinder shooters, as the 50mm framelines are now visible without obstruction when the lens is used without the supplied hood. Besides the size, a key feature of the new lens is its closer focusing capability, ranging from 0.45m to 0.35m depending on the lens type, compared to the 7m minimum focus distance of the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar. Also, the lens includes a tactile rangefinder feature, alerting you when the rangefinder disengages, indicating that live view will be necessary for focusing beyond that distance.
Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Type II finish options
Cosina offers the CV 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar in two classic aesthetic "Types." Type I resembles the rare Leica LTM version of the Nikon 50/3.5 collapsible lens and is available in Two-Tone black/silver brass or matte black-painted aluminum, weighing 245 grams and 150 grams, respectively—yes, only 150 grams for the black version!
Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Type I inspired by Leica LTM version of the Nikon 50/3.5 collapsible lens
The Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Type II version is also available in two finishes: silver brass (250 grams) and black-painted aluminum (175 grams). One of its main advantages is its closer focusing distance of 0.35 meters, compared to 0.45 meters for the Type I. However, a notable drawback is that aperture and focusing adjustments are controlled by the same ring, so you need to set the aperture before focusing.
The Type I version features a distinctive barrel design that mimics a classic collapsible lens, though unfortunately, it is not collapsible.
Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Type I Two-Tone
In this review, I will start by testing the Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 Type II Silver Brass "Prototype" lens, but I plan to evaluate the other models once they are available in production. I'll explore the technical aspects of the Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar, testing its resolution, contrast, and optical aberrations. I will also compare its aesthetic rendering qualities with the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar.
All four models share the same optical design, featuring 8 elements in 6 groups, including 4 elements of anomalous partial dispersion glass. Notably, the design avoids aspherical elements, which can show structure in specular highlights and affect rendering. Instead, it draws inspiration from Planar "symmetric" designs. It seems Cosina is focusing on low-dispersion glass to enhance rendering quality, moving away from aspherical elements in their latest lenses.
Unlike most 50mm M-lenses, the new Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar from Cosina offers close-focusing capabilities of 0.45m or 0.35m, depending on the model. This enhances the lens's versatility for close-up shots when using live view. For rangefinder shooting, the lens features a tactile cue that alerts shooters when focusing beyond 0.68m, indicating that rangefinder focusing is no longer possible.
Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Type II extended to 0.35m
Like previous Cosina lenses, the Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar features an all-metal construction, available in brass or aluminum, and a robust helicoid unit. The focus ring on the Type II model operates smoothly, allowing for precise adjustments. The 50mm framelines remain clear of obstruction when focusing at infinity without the supplied hood, with only slight intrusion at close distances.Mounting and unmounting the lens can be a bit challenging because the main and only ring rotates. However, with the aid of two metal poles, it becomes easier to handle. In the silver version, the red mount marking might be hard to see in low light.
Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Type II with red mount mark position
The aperture ring rotates in half-stop increments, but the Type II model combines aperture and focus adjustments on the same ring, so the aperture should be set before focusing to avoid altering the focus. The Type II offers an impressive minimum focus distance of 0.35m, but this results in a longer focus throw. In contrast, the Type I model has separate rings for aperture and focus, which avoids this issue and provides a shorter focus throw, though its minimum focus distance is 0.45m. Its compact size, ideal balance, and lightweight design make it an excellent choice for Leica M bodies, especially for those seeking exceptional image quality in a 50mm manual focus lens.
The aperture mechanism is equipped with 10 blades offering 10-point sunstars.
Cosina has released an MTF graph illustrating the lens's resolution and contrast both wide open and at f/5.6.
None of the four models include a focus tab, which some Leica shooters might miss. Despite being a prototype, this copy offers an exceptionally smooth rotation of the focusing ring and is perfectly centered and aligned with my rangefinder. I will update you if there are any changes when I receive the production model.
Type I Two-Tone | Type II Silver | Type II Black Paint
Voigtlander Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Specifications:
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/3.5
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Angle of View: 45.7° (narrower compared to the 47.3° typical of previous 50mm lenses)
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.45 m (Type I) / 0.35 m (Type II)
- Optical Design: 6 groups 8 elements
- Special Glass: 4 elements of anomalous partial dispersion glass (low dispersion)
- Filter Size: 39mm (Type II), 34mm (Type I)
- Aperture blades: 10 (straight)
- Dimensions (ø x L): φ52.0×45.0mm
- Weight: Type I: 245g (Two-Tone brass), 150g (matte black aluminum) | Type II: 250g (Silver brass), 175g (black paint aluminum)
- Hood: Screw-in hood included matching the lens finish. Lens cap attaches to hood, not lens.
Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar with supplied hood. Also showing the engraved "SAMPLE" prototype word
It's worth noting that the Type II black paint finish model of the Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar has been updated since the initial February announcement. The material has been changed from brass to aluminum. It's unclear whether the entire lens exterior is aluminum or a mix of brass and aluminum, but the weight has decreased from 250g to 175g, which many users will appreciate. I will update the review if I learn more about this.
Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar mounted on the A7R2 UT using the Techart AF adapter
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