Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Review

Fred Miranda
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p.16 #1 · p.16 #1 · Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Review

hmzimelka wrote:
Here are some more M11 DNG samples. At this rate, I think I still prefer my Summicron-M.

Leica M11 with APO-Lanthar 50mm f/3.5 Type II (Uncoded)
ISO64, 1/750sec, f/5.6

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53981968951_66ae5b42c9_o.jpg

I think there are many great 50mm lenses out there, and I agree that the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron is one of the best. However, there are several situations where the Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar performs better, which might not be covered in your tests but are significant differences between these lenses.

The Voigtlander lens can focus closer (LV), offering 0.45m or 0.35m depending on the version, compared to the 0.7m of the Leica. The Voigtlander handles flare better, which will be noticeable in backlit shots. For resolution and contrast, while the Leica is very good, the Voigtlander 50/3.5 APO-Lanthar is even better, especially in areas away from the center, though this might not show in your current comparison samples.

The Voigtlander lens does not cause frameline blockage, unlike the Summicron. The APO design of the Voigtlander ensures no color errors. The Voigtlander also produces a flat field curvature, while the Summicron shows slight outward curvature. The Voigtlander produces defined sunstars starting at f/4, which you may prefer.

These differences might not matter for your photography style, and in that case, the 50mm f/2 Summicron could indeed be a better fit for you.

Sep 09, 2024 at 10:39 AM

rscheffler
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p.16 #2 · p.16 #2 · Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Review

philip_pj wrote:
That's called content, Ron. It's unlikely that Cosina had in mind to produce a garden lens or material with monotone shades. I saw something similar with Jimmy Cheng the other day, the 'can't get the hood off' guy. He used his courtyard on which to base his pronouncements. I meant to post that one, here it is as an example of this behavior:

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

Many Leica reviewers and enthusiasts are prone to better/best assessments based on very little diversity of subject matter. And understandably people get used to a...Show more →

Call it whatever you want; you're entitled to your opinion. I find it extremely jarring the 'quality' of the focus transition in the outer zone of the 50/3.5 APO Lanthar compared to the Cron. I also saw the effect in some of Juha's images and the latest download link from @hmzimelka. I simply don't like the harshness of its outer zone OOF background character; the double-line effect. On-axis OOF background looks reasonable in comparison.

The APO Lanthar looks amazing in the plane of focus and not all images would suffer from harsh transition effects. The size/weight of the 50/3.5 APO is appealing but based on Fred's comparisons, I feel I would strongly prefer the additional versatility of the 50/2 APO Lanthar's speed and better outer zone smoothness. Less than 70cm MFD is low priority for me.

Sep 09, 2024 at 04:45 PM

hmzimelka
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p.16 #3 · p.16 #3 · Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Review

I've added some more samples to the link I previously posted; These are infinity comparisons between the APO 50/3.5 and the Cron 50mm V.

Anybody can come to their own conclusions. My preference is for my Summicron. It has slightly wavier moustache field curvature than the APO, but the latter isn't perfectly flat. And finder blockage with the Summicron is about zero.

HERE is the link to the comparison These were just taken this morning from the stoep of my AirBnB.

Sep 10, 2024 at 03:41 AM

hmzimelka
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p.16 #4 · p.16 #4 · Voigtlander 50mm f/3.5 APO-Lanthar Review

As for CA correction, the Summicron is pretty decent at comparable apertures. I'll post better comparisons when I get the chance and provide the DNG files too.

Sep 10, 2024 at 06:43 AM

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