M mount lens comparison between Zeiss and Voigtlander

[Harvard Kiwi]

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A lot of lens reviews contain brief comparisons against other lenses but to have true side by side comparisons under controlled circumstances is rarer. 

Even where this occurs, the subjective leanings of the reviewer (often attempting objectivity) can skew an audience's perception.

Compressed images remove some of the finer details and it's interesting to see how many experienced users will see different characteristics and have different preferences from looking at even controlled sample shots.

Another issue is the body that's used, particularly for older ultra wide lenses where the rear node can be quite close to the sensor contributing to the Italian flag colour casting for example. This is an issue with CV 21/4 lenses on M9s and M240s but not so much on M10-Rs. Some have said this is also an issue with M10s but my combination of this body and lens has been near perfect and I have discovered others who have had both good and bad experiences so it may be the luck of the draw with manufacturing tolerances not being as tight as they probably should be. I've heard the odd similar story about some Leica glass so even they aren't exempt.

Leica glass is most often the gold standard, but even on that we will not get universal agreement. Zeiss and Voigtlander also make beautiful glass and are capable of producing fantastic images. I wouldn't look down upon anyone that purchases either of these brands.

In my opinion, Voigtlander have always made decent glass but more recently, they've really stepped up their game. I love my Nokton 50/1.2 as it as a classic look wide open and is more clinical stopped down. Two looks from one lens. At some stage, I'll also look at their APOs.

We are lucky to have access to so many good lenses now and are a bit spoiled for choice. Personally, I wouldn't get a 7Artisans or TTArtisans lens but there are many that do and are happy with them. 

I know this is a lens discussion so I expect to get crucified for this but Leica, Zeiss, and Voigtlander all make great lenses. If we are to be great photographers, we should have the skill to understand the glass we have and cater for both its strengths and weaknesses. Many of the greats, along with our favourite images were shot with inferior bodies and lenses. Sometimes I think we get caught up in that final 1 or 2% but it doesn't really matter as our skill in composition, lighting, identifying interesting subject matters, and joy of the art are far far far more important. 

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[JonPB]

On 8/17/2021 at 12:49 PM, Einst_Stein said:

This? I think he is more excited on Sigma than Voigtlander.

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In that crop, I count seven links that name a Voigtlander lens and five that same a Sigma. I do not see how this indicates that he leans toward Sigma; I do see how the central-frame location and consistent start-of-line name placement would create a first-impression that Sigma receives more attention, and I want to point out that this discrepancy between first impression and functional truth is marvelously similar to the difference between photo blogs and Reid Reviews.

Personally, I wouldn’t consider buying a lens without subscribing to Reid Reviews.

That said, his indexing system could stand improvement… many of those reviews directly compare lenses without naming them in the link, often adding new samples from previously reviewed lens models that are worth looking at even if only one lens in the comparison is of interest. But since it is one person conducting the tests and analyses, and also managing design, publishing, and business operations, I give those rough edges a free pass because the core content consists of, as far as I’m aware, the most transparent and cross-comparable reviews, of any product type in any market, being created today.

To be clear, I have no relationship with the person or his business other than as a former subscriber. I only respect his work, his business model, and the content he produces.

[JonPB]

12 hours ago, Harvard Kiwi said:

Leica glass is most often the gold standard…

I mean no disrespect to your sincere and thoughtful post, but I am greatly amused by taking this phrase literally rather than figuratively. Leica lenses as the currency standard? If a Summicron 50mm is worth 1 Leica, then a coffee might cost 1 milliLeica, a fancy car about 30 Leica, a mandated minimum wage might be 15 Leica/year, and the GDP of France is about 2 billion Leica… yup, that’s about how my brain works. Might also explain Leica’s anomalous depreciation rate.