It seems to be basically the same lens as Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 PII which remains in production, but in silver, with included silver hood and back-cap made of aluminium, and apparently the font used on the lens is similar to what Cosina has used on their Vintage Line lenses. Optically it seems to be identical to existing Color-Skopar and on the product introduction video there is a warning that says: "This product uses the optical design from 1999, so when used with older digital cameras, there is a possibility of color cast around the edges depending on shooting conditions."
Since the original is from film-era and not specifically optimized for digital sensors, I think this will also be a bit challenging when e.g. adapted to Sony cameras etc. I have had one of the original LTM models based on the same design and it did suffer on Sony (esp. on my original A7R). Other than that I really liked the lens and I enjoyed using it on my NEX-6 prior to getting A7R.
p.1 #4Cosina Voigtländer 35mm F2.5 -SKOPAR 100th model- (VM) got announced for November release
Juha Kannisto wrote:
This lens is an anniversary model, celebrating 100 years from first Skopar lens from original Voigtländer company that was released in 1926.
It seems to be basically the same lens as Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 PII which remains in production, but in silver, with included silver hood and back-cap made of aluminium, and apparently the font used on the lens is similar to what Cosina has used on their Vintage Line lenses. Optically it seems to be identical to existing Color-Skopar and on the product introduction video there is a warning that says: "This product uses the optical design from 1999, so when used with older digital cameras, there is a possibility of color cast around the edges depending on shooting conditions."
Since the original is from film-era and not specifically optimized for digital sensors, I think this will also be a bit challenging when e.g. adapted to Sony cameras etc. I have had one of the original LTM models based on the same design and it did suffer on Sony (esp. on my original A7R). Other than that I really liked the lens and I enjoyed using it on my NEX-6 prior to getting A7R....Show more →
I've also heard that the 35mm f/2.5 Color-Skopar PII wasn't optimized for digital, but in my experience, it performs remarkably well on digital Leica M bodies (Although the color cast around the edges is real). It delivers results similar to the 35mm f/2 Ultron, but with less optical vignetting and field curvature.
It's interesting that Cosina didn't tweaked the optical design for digital sensors. Since the current optical design already perform well and remain in active production, this refresh is purely cosmetic...likely a smart way to maximize profitability with minimal R&D cost.
From what I gather, the new 100th-anniversary edition features an aluminum construction with a brass chrome filter ring, identical to the standard production model...except it's finished in silver rather than black. It also includes a matching silver lens hood and an upgraded silver rear cap (replacing the plastic version). The lens engravings uses the vintage-style typeface from Cosina Voigtlander's Vintage Line series, like the 35mm f/2 Ultron. It would have been a nice touch if Cosina had included a "100 Years" commemorative engraving, but there are no unique markings like that.
p.1 #5Cosina Voigtländer 35mm F2.5 -SKOPAR 100th model- (VM) got announced for November release
I want this (even though I'm drowning in 35mm lenses) but how bad is the color cast on digital M? I skimmed the previous thread but didn't see examples, just that someone returned/sold theirs due to bad cast on an M11, which is what I have. I wish this was out, I'm headed to Tokyo tomorrow and would love to try it but maybe can find an older one to test before ordering.
p.1 #6Cosina Voigtländer 35mm F2.5 -SKOPAR 100th model- (VM) got announced for November release
They also announced new UV filters designed by Cosina to match their lenses both optically and aesthetically. For instance, the silver filter matches the color and style of their silver lenses, featuring an ultra-flat design engineered to minimize reflections as much as possible with do not introduce any color shift. I think they look great, too:
34mm Silver filter shown on the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar
p.1 #7Cosina Voigtländer 35mm F2.5 -SKOPAR 100th model- (VM) got announced for November release
endergemini wrote:
I want this (even though I'm drowning in 35mm lenses) but how bad is the color cast on digital M? I skimmed the previous thread but didn't see examples, just that someone returned/sold theirs due to bad cast on an M11, which is what I have. I wish this was out, I'm headed to Tokyo tomorrow and would love to try it but maybe can find an older one to test before ordering.
The current in-production Color-Skopar 35mm F2.5 PII VM is easily available currently and it's also quite nicely priced as new. 2nd hand copies cost almost as much as new so I think it would be easy to pick up a new one (esp. when tax free is available).
The anniversary model comes with the (Silver) hood in the box, but in case of the standard version the hood is sold separately.
I don't know about color cast on digital M personally but on A7R it had some and the performance towards edges was definitely impacted by sensor-stack induced "field curvature" quite a bit. When adapted to BSI sensor equipped Sony cameras, I don't think there will be a noticeable color cast but I think the performance still suffers towards the edges in similar manner. That's why I'm not picking up one of these personally.
