dan98 wrote:
If the 90/3.5 can match the 50/3.5 in terms of sharpness that would be great, but I hope that the 90 has smoother bokeh than the 50. I realize that bokeh is a matter of taste, but I prefer smoother, more modern bokeh than what the 50/3.5 produces. I would gladly give up a bit of sharpness for smoother bokeh. Not everyone will agree with me on that. :-)
Yes, the 50/3.5 APO-Lanthar's rendering is closer to the CV 50/3.5 Heliar, now discontinued, which I personally prefer, though like you, many favor a smoother look. The 90/2 APO already has that smoother rendering, and it's possible the new 90/4 might fall more in line with the 50/3.5, though that is just speculation for now.
Fred Miranda wrote:
...
The older 90mm f3.5 APO-Lanthar was just okay to me. It was decent for its time, but by today's standards of correction and resolution, it doesn't really stand out.
I agree. In fact, the older 90/3.5 doesn't even compare well with the other SL APO-Lanthars of the time. I have all of them, and the 90 is the weakest in terms of sharpness, at every aperture and every distance. It is also the least "apochromatic" in spite of sharing the same label.
Fred Miranda wrote:
New binoculars and UV filters as well. I already have a Leica pair and the Zeiss Terra ED 10x25, so now I'm curious if the Cosina ones might actually be even better.
Where can you buy these? Is it a new product? Would love a pair-
That's interesting. That's not consistent with today's press release, but it wouldn't be the first time that the left hand did not know what the right hand is doing.
dan98 wrote:
That's interesting. That's not consistent with today's press release, but it wouldn't be the first time that the left hand did not know what the right hand is doing.
That 10x25 APO looks so compact and I'm sure it will offer superb optics:
Compared to the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90mm f/4, the new 90/4 APO-Lanthar is rated by Cosina at 1:3.5 maximum magnification at its MFD without any adapters, which works out to about 0.29x. The Leica on its own sits at 1:6.7, or roughly 0.15x, which is honestly quite modest for something labeled "Macro"
The true macro capability comes when the Leica is paired with the Macro-Adapter, allowing it to reach a 1:2 reproduction ratio. Of course, the Leica Macro-Adapter is essentially a variable helicoid close focus adapter designed for Leica M lenses, and it can also be used with the CV 90/4 APO-Lanthar to push magnification even further beyond what the Macro-Elmar can achieve.
Fred Miranda wrote:
That 10x25 APO looks so compact and I'm sure it will offer superb optics:
No doubt the optics will be excellent, but I wonder if they can match the warranty service of other high-end binoculars. A few decades ago I bought a pair of Swarovski compacts, similar in size to these new Voigtlanders. The optics are great, and they came well sealed and nitrogen-filled, with a lifetime warranty against leakage. After using them for over 15 years on countless sea kayaking expeditions--where they were exposed frequently to both salt water and rain water--they finally fogged up. Swarovski covered the full cost of the repair, including shipping! I received back a virtually new pair, the bridge being the only original component. Many years later I am still using them in all sorts of weather, without any further failures. At this point it would take a lot to get me to switch brands. :-)
dan98 wrote:
No doubt the optics will be excellent, but I wonder if they can match the warranty service of other high-end binoculars. A few decades ago I bought a pair of Swarovski compacts, similar in size to these new Voigtlanders. The optics are great, and they came well sealed and nitrogen-filled, with a lifetime warranty against leakage. After using them for over 15 years on countless sea kayaking expeditions--where they were exposed frequently to both salt water and rain water--they finally fogged up. Swarovski covered the full cost of the repair, including shipping! I received back a virtually new pair, the bridge being the only original component. Many years later I am still using them in all sorts of weather, without any further failures. At this point it would take a lot to get me to switch brands. :-) ...Show more →
Yes, that service is definitely baked into the price.
What really bothers me is that rubberized plastic finish that turns into a sticky mess after a few years. Every Canon IS binocular I've owned eventually developed that tacky feel, especially after trips to humid places. It just feels cheap and ages badly.
Hopefully this Voigtlander APO doesn't go down that same road with its finish. The best experience I've had so far has been with Leica binoculars. They just age properly and don't get that gross, gummy surface. They are all metal.
fjablo wrote:
The 75mm f2.8 looks like it fixes a lot of the ergonomic issues I have with the 75mm f1.9. But I don't think I care enough to switch it out.
The really neat thing about the new CV 75/2.8, aside from being an APO lens, is that it comes with a focusing tab...something extremely rare for a 75 mm M lens. It might even be the first 75 mm M‑mount lens with a tab, though I could be mistaken.
Also, this 75mm is very short, so it should not block the framelines.
IMO the 75/2.8 and 90/4 are really interesting for Leica M users not chasing bokeh quantity. TBH, I wish the 90/4 APO had been available ~10 years ago when I bought the Leica 90/4. I'm less interested in the 75/2.8, but it's an interesting potential alternative to the very good 75/2.5 Summarit. I agree that it's cool to see it has a focusing tab!
As I've stated recently, with the breadth and optical quality of VM lens options, I could realistically replace pretty much all of my Leica M glass with VM equivalents. The 90/4 release in particular, reinforces this even more. What are the odds it will be available at the end of April in Japan? Given the current really amazing price for the VM 90/2, it would be tempting to get both in Japan and effectively replace both my 90AA and 90 Macro...
Fred Miranda wrote:
The really neat thing about the new CV 75/2.8, aside from being an APO lens, is that it comes with a focusing tab...something extremely rare for a 75 mm M lens. It might even be the first 75 mm M‑mount lens with a tab, though I could be mistaken.
I think a lot of people sleep on 75mm, and 2.8 is totally fine if the lens is beautiful and sharp wide open. In fact, it can make shooting it faster, easier, and more reliable.
rscheffler wrote:
IMO the 75/2.8 and 90/4 are really interesting for Leica M users not chasing bokeh quantity. TBH, I wish the 90/4 APO had been available ~10 years ago when I bought the Leica 90/4. I'm less interested in the 75/2.8, but it's an interesting potential alternative to the very good 75/2.5 Summarit. I agree that it's cool to see it has a focusing tab!
As I've stated recently, with the breadth and optical quality of VM lens options, I could realistically replace pretty much all of my Leica M glass with VM equivalents. The 90/4 release in particular, reinforces this even more. What are the odds it will be available at the end of April in Japan? Given the current really amazing price for the VM 90/2, it would be tempting to get both in Japan and effectively replace both my 90AA and 90 Macro......Show more →
I think these new VMs will come out later than April since Cosina has Septon 40/2 lined up for March & April and Otus ML 35/1.4 for April. The newly pre-announced lenses would probably follow gradually from there if Cosina doesn't drastically change their release patterns.
Juha Kannisto wrote:
I think these new VMs will come out later than April since Cosina has Septon 40/2 lined up for March & April and Otus ML 35/1.4 for April. The newly pre-announced lenses would probably follow gradually from there if Cosina doesn't drastically change their release patterns.
Thanks for the dose of reality, Juha. Just wishful thinking on my part. I suspect there will be more than enough to tempt me as it is.
Looking forward to your impressions about these lenses (75 & 90), if you have the chance to try them at CP+!
Fred Miranda wrote:
What really bothers me is that rubberized plastic finish that turns into a sticky mess after a few years. Every Canon IS binocular I've owned eventually developed that tacky feel, especially after trips to humid places. It just feels cheap and ages badly.
Wiping with alcohol first, then something like 303 rubber protectant may help with sticky rubber if you haven’t tried it.
