Voigtlanders on the SL2-S

[Paul K]

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I switched from Sony in July, and I really loved using the Voigts with them. The SL2-S is a much larger body, though, and the range of VM lenses is much wider. Given that, which Voigts do you find have the best form factor with the SL body in general and resolve best with the 2-S sensor?

[hdmesa]

14 hours ago, Paul K said:

I switched from Sony in July, and I really loved using the Voigts with them. The SL2-S is a much larger body, though, and the range of VM lenses is much wider. Given that, which Voigts do you find have the best form factor with the SL body in general and resolve best with the 2-S sensor?

Any CV lens that worked well on your Sony will work as well or better on your SL2-S, both optically and ergonomically. The highest resolving CV lenses will be the 35 and 50 f/2 APOs. Cosina is also releasing a  new APO Voigtlander, the 50 f/3.5 APO. It’s smaller and closer focusing, and the resolving power seems the equal of the f/2 version. See Fred’s recent review of it on FM Forums in the Leica/Alt section.

[Paul K]

9 minutes ago, hdmesa said:

Any CV lens that worked well on your Sony will work as well or better on your SL2-S, both optically and ergonomically. The highest resolving CV lenses will be the 35 and 50 f/2 APOs. Cosina is also releasing a  new APO Voigtlander, the 50 f/3.5 APO. It’s smaller and closer focusing, and the resolving power seems the equal of the f/2 version. See Fred’s recent review of it on FM Forums in the Leica/Alt section.

Yeah, I'm certain that the Noktons and Lanthars would be fine size-wise. It's more the form factor of the Skopar and Ultron lines that I'm curious about. They seem like they'd be dwarfed by the body rather than balanced. Unfortunately, B&H is out of stock of several of them right now, so I can't test for myself. Then again, I'm also still waiting on the backordered M-L adapter. 🤦‍♂️

[SoCalLeicanator]

Just picked up the 35 1.5 Nokton and am loving it.  

[hdmesa]

1 hour ago, Paul K said:

Yeah, I'm certain that the Noktons and Lanthars would be fine size-wise. It's more the form factor of the Skopar and Ultron lines that I'm curious about. They seem like they'd be dwarfed by the body rather than balanced. Unfortunately, B&H is out of stock of several of them right now, so I can't test for myself. Then again, I'm also still waiting on the backordered M-L adapter. 🤦‍♂️

Even the small lenses like the 40/2.8 Heliar felt great to use on the SL2-S. Basically it balances like the camera with no lens on it 🙃

[KenLW]

I frequently use the VM 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar on both my SL and SL2, and it's by far the sharpest lens in my collection, at least for full-frame sensors. The build quality and handling are excellent, and it actually handles better than the 35mm Summilux FLE II I tested at a Leica store, way better than the 35mm steel rim reissue I recently brought and returned, as well as my own 35mm Summicron V1 and 50mm Summicron V4. My only minor complaint is the lack of a focusing tab, but it's hard to nitpick a lens that costs only $1000 (when compared to Leica's offering of 50mm APO that costs $9k+).

[Geoff C. Bassett]

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Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 & 75mm 1.5. 

For me these strike the perfect balance. Great rendering, not to large, not to small on the body. 

40mm

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75mm

Edited September 21, 2024 by Geoff C. Bassett

[Paul K]

3 hours ago, Geoff C. Bassett said:

Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 & 75mm 1.5. 

For me these strike the perfect balance. Great rendering, not to large, not to small on the body. 

40mm

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75mm

Very nice. I have the 75 Ultron arriving today actually. It was between that and the Nokton, so we'll see how I like its feel. The 40/1.2 is on the list, too, as are either the 21/1.4 or 28/1.5.

[Paul K]

9 hours ago, KenLW said:

I frequently use the VM 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar on both my SL and SL2, and it's by far the sharpest lens in my collection, at least for full-frame sensors. The build quality and handling are excellent, and it actually handles better than the 35mm Summilux FLE II I tested at a Leica store, way better than the 35mm steel rim reissue I recently brought and returned, as well as my own 35mm Summicron V1 and 50mm Summicron V4. My only minor complaint is the lack of a focusing tab, but it's hard to nitpick a lens that costs only $1000 (when compared to Leica's offering of 50mm APO that costs $9k+).

What benefit do you find with the tab? I've never used a focusing tab lens and was under the impression that they largely were for rangefinders.

[Olaf_ZG]

Paul, I assume you never tried a Leica lens on the Sony. Don’t try it now, cause it will be a rabbit hole… I have two VL’s, but man, a 50 lux or 28 summaron is such a joy…

[Paul K]

6 minutes ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Paul, I assume you never tried a Leica lens on the Sony. Don’t try it now, cause it will be a rabbit hole… I have two VL’s, but man, a 50 lux or 28 summaron is such a joy…

Nope. Sold the entire Sony kit when I switched.

[mb22]

I've had good luck with the Nokton 28mm f/1.5 and Nokton 50mm f/1.2. I was in France and Italy for three weeks this summer and these were the only two lenses I brought. No regrets. 

[Paul K]

On 9/28/2024 at 7:37 PM, mb22 said:

I've had good luck with the Nokton 28mm f/1.5 and Nokton 50mm f/1.2. I was in France and Italy for three weeks this summer and these were the only two lenses I brought. No regrets. 

Yeah, the 50/1.2 Nokton is special.

[Chris Nebard]

This topic and these posts are good timing for me; I have the M-Summicron 50 and M-Summarit 75. I love them both and I’d like to add a 35 (something faster than the other two) so I’m leaning heavily towards the Nokton 35 f1.2 VM iii. I’m well covered with a/f lenses but I bought my SL2-S to keep the m/f experience as well. I can’t justify a Summilux but, from the little I’ve read on the forum and online, I think the 35 f1.2 Nokton will give me something just a little bit different in low light, for portraits, and for street stuff. 

Edited September 30, 2024 by Chris Nebard

[Per P.]

It's early days but I had a good time with the 50mm f/1.2 Nokton in Vietnam recently. My first VL but might not be the last. 

[KenLW]

On 9/21/2024 at 6:59 AM, Paul K said:

What benefit do you find with the tab? I've never used a focusing tab lens and was under the impression that they largely were for rangefinders.

I am primarily a M shooter so I appreciate the tab. For the SL system, you can also use the tab for fast zone focusing. The position of the tab helps remind me of the focus distance.

[Paul K]

22 minutes ago, KenLW said:

I am primarily a M shooter so I appreciate the tab. For the SL system, you can also use the tab for fast zone focusing. The position of the tab helps remind me of the focus distance.

And that's fine. I've shot SLRs my whole life, so barrel focusing without a tab is second nature to me.