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Voigtlander 35/1.7 versus Voigtlander 35/1.5

  
 
nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #1 · Voigtlander 35/1.7 versus Voigtlander 35/1.5


I have not seen a direct comparison between these two lenses. Thought some people would like to see. My take aways:

CV 35/17 -
- higher contrast with less SA, especially outside the center of the frame. Similar in the center WO. The corners are generally close at 2 meters and infinite. The inner, outer and central midframe are quite poor on the CV 35/1.5 comparatively.

- Even WO at 42mp the lenses offers pretty wonderful resolution and good contrast on the CV 35/1.7--high usuable. It looks better than the CV 35/1.5, CV 35/1.2, Simera 35/1.4 and 35 Lux ASPH I think. I think it would only be bested by APO's which are bigger and slower. And probably the ZM 35/1.4 but I would like to see a direct comp on a high res sensor.

Regardless, the 35/1.7 is way better than the CV 35/1.5. The center is a bit ahead of the CV 35/1.5 and as are the corner at infinite. CV 35/1.5 at f2.8 it's close, but really needs to f4 to equal the midzone of the CV 35/1.7 WO.

- The CV 35/1.5 has higher LoCal and pinch of SA.

- The CV 35/1.5 offers smoother bokeh rendering with a little less structured OOF rendition. It also offers a bit more bokeh at 1.5 versus 1.7, but also has higher optical vignetting.

- The CV 35/1.5 offers CV's newer colors, which I prefer over the older 35/1.7 which are always a pain and needing profiles/tweaks for my tastes.

- The ergo, size and speed are nice on the CV 35/1.5. Because of the CV 35/1.7's well corrected performance, it's an easier lens to shoot.

- I may test and compare the two on a stock Sony, but I already know having owned and shot them both before, the CV 35/1.7 ports much better.

- all photos taken with identical settings and WB, tripod, 2 second shutter delay, IBIS turned off, a7r2 modded sensor (so native lens performance), no correction profiles turned on.

- At this point, I think the CV 35/1.7 is an underrated option for m mount. And an especially attractive option for multi-mount shooters because it ports better than most fast 35mm’s while the price is quite attractive.

2 meter Resolution:




1.5 Meter Rendering + Contrast:




Infinte:




Edited on Sep 12, 2026 at 02:55 PM · View previous versions



Sep 12, 2026 at 02:03 PM
gammarART
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p.1 #2 · Voigtlander 35/1.7 versus Voigtlander 35/1.5


Even today the 1.7 is a crazy good lens. Still love mine.


Sep 12, 2026 at 02:53 PM
thrice
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p.1 #3 · Voigtlander 35/1.7 versus Voigtlander 35/1.5


Can you tell us more about your 42MP camera? Sensor glass stack thickness specifically.

nehemiahphoto wrote:
I have not seen a direct comparison between these two lenses. Thought some people would like to see. My take aways:

CV 35/17 -
- higher contrast with less SA, especially outside the center of the frame. Similar in the center WO. The corners are generally close at 2 meters and infinite. The inner, outer and central midframe are quite poor on the CV 35/1.5 comparatively.

- Even WO at 42mp the lenses offers pretty wonderful resolution and good contrast on the CV 35/1.7--high usuable. It looks better than the CV 35/1.5, CV 35/1.2, Simera 35/1.4 and 35 Lux ASPH I think.
...Show more →



Sep 12, 2026 at 04:37 PM
nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #4 · Voigtlander 35/1.7 versus Voigtlander 35/1.5


thrice wrote:
Can you tell us more about your 42MP camera? Sensor glass stack thickness specifically.



Yup. It's a modded A7r2. It was done by NKIR from Taiwan. I preferred them at the time (about 5 years ago), they were offering the same sensor thickness as Kolari but with far less color cast.

Nowadays, they are making their sensor stacks much thinner then a digital Leica with I believe the goal of improving performance of old film lenses on digital.

I may very well get another body modded by them with the new thinner sensor stack.

Also, funny lens take away



Sep 12, 2026 at 05:08 PM







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