So many Voigtlander 35mm lenses!

[setuporg]

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I've been intrigued by the CV 35mm APO Lanthar and went to check them out online, found so many new ones!  There's a new 35/2.0 type II for a previous one; a 1.2 and a 1.4.

Has anyone reviewed them all, or a significant majority?  What is the difference between type I and type II of the 35/2.0?  What is the core character of each lens?

[setuporg]

There's also an f2.5 Color Skopar...

[Danner]

Yes, they have been hard at work.  There are many positives reports on them too.  More than tempting...

[hdmesa]

So many sites that have reviews – just Google. Fred Miranda has some good reviews on some CV lenses in the Alternative Gear & Lenses forum. In general the later numbers are improved versions, so once there is a II or III version, I've never read a compelling reason to go back. It's not like it is with Leica, where Leica forever calls an f/2 a Summicron and the versions often have completely different character. With CV, newer versions are usually just optically improved without going backward for character.

Regarding all CV lenses:

Both the 50 APO and 35 APO are top-notch. All the newest f/1.2 lenses are great: 35 f/1.2 III, 40 f/1.2, and 50 f/1.2 if you don't mind some bokeh fringing wide open. Then you have an entire new "vintage" line that is really cool, and from those, the 75 1.5 is a standout for bokeh rendering.

Regarding 35mm CV:

I have the 35 APO and 1.2 III – both are great.

Edited April 28, 2021 by hdmesa

[Lee S]

Fantastic lens maker with new lenses to suit all tastes and wants, especially in 35mm which is fantastic as its my favourite focal length on a rangefinder. 

Want something compact and fast but without ultimate sharpness - they got it.

Want something large and fast with insane sharpness - they got it

Want something compact and slow with insane sharpness - they got it.

Want something thats APO - they got it and everything inbetween.

Edited April 28, 2021 by Lee S

[Ray Vonn]

I think this might turn out to be my favourite thread. There can be no denying anymore that the quality is there with the Voigtlanders, not that I thought it wasn’t. More and more lenses of this quality will mean or may already mean that your paying for the badge with the new/ current Leica lenses.

[jaapv]

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Voigtländer  makes excellent lenses, no question. The last -expensive- few percent that sets them apart from Leica may well be photographically insignificant for quite a few users. There is a bit of sample variation, though. Make sure that you get a good example.

[Keith (M)]

I took delivery last November of the new 35mm Nokton III f1.2 and have been very pleased/impressed by its performance and handling - examples etc in this thread.

[Ray Vonn]

1 hour ago, Keith (M) said:

I took delivery last November of the new 35mm Nokton III f1.2 and have been very pleased/impressed by its performance and handling - examples etc in this thread.

You can really tell you’re enjoying yourself and that’s reflected in the images.

[hdmesa]

14 hours ago, jaapv said:

Voigtländer  makes excellent lenses, no question. The last -expensive- few percent that sets them apart from Leica may well be photographically insignificant for quite a few users. There is a bit of sample variation, though. Make sure that you get a good example.

I have received good 1st copies with:

• 21 1.4
• 35 1.2 III
• 35 APO
• 50 APO
• 75 1.5

The only variation was with the 21 3.5 where infinity focus was slightly before the hard stop – perhaps normal for this particular lens, but still unwanted, so I got the 21 1.4.

It may be the E-mount versions that have more variation, or perhaps Voigtlander has tightened up the production line on the M lenses.

[setuporg]

The 21/1.4 is fantastic.  I first got the 21/1.8 and the followup was stellar.  The only problem is what to do with so many Voigtlanders.:)

[OR120]

33 minutes ago, hdmesa said:

I have received good 1st copies with:

• 21 1.4
• 35 1.2 III
• 35 APO
• 50 APO
• 75 1.5

The only variation was with the 21 3.5 where infinity focus was slightly before the hard stop – perhaps normal for this particular lens, but still unwanted, so I got the 21 1.4.

It may be the E-mount versions that have more variation, or perhaps Voigtlander has tightened up the production line on the M lenses.

Nice set of Voigtlander lenses you have there!

[adan]

On 4/27/2021 at 3:35 PM, setuporg said:

Has anyone reviewed them all, or a significant majority?  What is the difference between type I and type II of the 35/2.0?  What is the core character of each lens?

The Ultron f/2.0 I and II - primarily new barrel cosmetics. Cameraquest is selling the II as "The new Voigtlander Ultron Vintage Line 35mm F2.0 Aspherical II has the same sharp optics as the previous Type I, only now restyled in a classically beautiful 1970’s black paint or silver paint brass lens barrel. The icing on the cake is faster focusing via a new comfortable classic style focusing tab." (The v.1 had an additional chrome ring around the waistline, and a screw-head as the focus tab - the v. II loses the cosmetic chrome ring, and has a more solid, sculpted focus tab.)

f/2.0 Ultron v. 1: https://www.voigtlaender.de/lenses/vm/35mm-120-ultron-aspherical/?lang=en

f/2.0 Ultron v.2: https://shop.cameraquest.com/voigtlander-leica-mount-lenses/voigtlander-35mm-f/2-ultron-ii-black-m/

Conversely, the f/1.4 Nokton v.I and v.II do have slightly different optics - the v.I had a lot of focus shift when stopping, which the v.II mostly eliminated.

I can't speak to the performance of the f/1.2 35mm lenses - but the III is quite a bit shorter than the I/II.

The basic deal with Cosina/Voigtlander is that they mostly rely on guerilla marketing and word-of-mouth. Just try to find an MTF chart (Hah)! And, of course, they often put out the same lens in both M and Sony F mounts (or even, early on, in Leica screw-mount, or, briefly, Nikon/Contax film-rangefinder mounts, which add to the clutter of variants). Not to mention single-coated and multi-coated versions. (And for those who think small, a handful of separate lenses designed for micro-4/3rds)

And they are willing and able to turn on a dime and issue a new version fairly often.

Essentially they make:

35mm f/1.2 - been around for a dozen years, in three versions.

35mm f/1.4 - about the same time-frame, different goal (classic size and imaging)

35mm f/2.0 APO  - brand-new category since

35mm f/2.0 Ultron - started as an f/1.7 in screw mount close to 20 year ago - revised to M mount f/1.7 (new optics) - revised again to f/2.0 - then fairly rapid cosmetic change to f/2.0 v.II.

35mm f/2.5 Skopar - also started as a screw-mount, in a couple of optical/size versions (C & P(ancake)) - then the PII came out in M mount.

But tomorrow, who knows what the tide may bring in?

That's been their pattern with many focal lengths (partly due to the arrival of digital bodies)  - e.g. 15mm f/4.5 I, II, and III. They seem to have very prolific designers with time to spare.   This visual history page has existed for 20 years or more - with each new version added by focal length/aperture, as time goes by....

https://www.cameraquest.com/voigtlen.htm

Personally, I mostly use 1980s Mandler/Canada Leica lenses. But for a couple of those that have gone beserk in price, and/or are hard to find (35 Summicron v.4/Summilux-M, 75mm Summilux-M) I find that the C/V "Classic" equivalents do just fine matching those 40-year-old non-APO, non-ASPH lenses in general character, for practical photography. While being easier to quasi-permanently 6-bit code (recessed mount ring) at vastly lower prices.

[chasdfg]

I picked up 2 of these 35mms recently - the 35 1.2 V3 and the 35 f2 ultron II. The 35mm 1.2 V3 is fantastic. It's plenty sharp for me wide open and has a lot of pop and from a non-technical point of the view the bokeh is also very pleasing to my eye. I must say @Keith (M)'s thread did play a role in me buying one.  

I then picked up the 35mm f2 Ultron II in silver last week (the black paint one looks superb too but I wanted a small silver lens) along with that pseudo-OLLUX crinkle-finished hood (it is my knock-off steel rim 35lux). The size is very welcome as it is now my smallest lens. The build appears better than the 35mm 1.2 V3, possible because it's supposedly brass and it certainly has a heft to it.

I don't pixel peep so sharpness especially in the centre for both these 35mms is plenty fine. I would think the 35APO goes one notch above in this respect. I'm selling the 35mm 1.2 V3 though, as it is too similar in size as my 35FLE (same weight, about the same length but a bit more squat) and the half stop difference isn't a game changer for me (neither is the 0.5m MFD since I rarely use it. The ultron II goes to 0.58m) and I prefer focus tabs. In any case I used to recommend the 35 1.4 ZM as my pick of a fast, modern, 3rd party 35mm. Now I think I'd suggest the 35mm 1.2 V3...its not better but it's very, very good and half a stop faster too.

 

[setuporg]

Ultrons 35/2.0, Type I and Type II on M10M and M10R, resp.

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[setuporg]

Found a hilarious Ken Rockwell review of a CV 35/1.4!

Quote

This is a lens for the poor man, who always pays twice. It is not a replacement for a LEICA lens. Yes, you could use this lens for a lifetime of making great photos, but in reality, most people who buy these are dithering hobbyists who spend more time on internet "forums" than actually taking pictures and only wind up buying what they really want a few years later, when the real LEICA lenses will cost even more than they do today.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/voigtlander/35mm-f14.htm

[lct]

On 5/4/2021 at 8:34 AM, setuporg said:

Ultrons 35/2.0, Type I and Type II on M10M and M10R, resp.

Have v1 and v2 the same focus throw? Just curious.

[setuporg]

Yes seems identical.

 

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[setuporg]

Fully turned.

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What I need now is an LH-12 hood for the black one and a silver version for the silver one — I guess they’ll make it!

Edited May 6, 2021 by setuporg

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[rramesh]

Voigtlander produces great lenses. I have the 35 f/1.2 Nokton II and the 15 f/4.5 Super Wide Heliar III. The former on par with the Summilux 35 and the latter better than the WATE at its widest. Both excellent lenses and the latter very easy to use on an M10-P with Liveview.

There is no repair service from Voigtlander in Singapore, but I have not seen any issues, since purchasing them several years ago. Great quality and robust build. Anyway they only cost slightly more than Leica's repair cost for a lens (resale).

Voigtlander is on a streak due to its popularity with mirrorless camera users who often can't afford Leica prices. Plus their new lenses are being tweaked for use on these.

In all honestly, if you showed me a photograph, I will find it very difficult to identify the lens used.

 

Edited May 6, 2021 by rramesh