Excellent review as always, I have Voigtlander lenses for my Nikon and love them. One thing I do is set one of the shooting banks or user settings on a dial for manual lenses and assign the AF-ON button to “zoom” in the custom menu. I find this much more comfortable and an easier to just quickly zoom in and out without having to reach for the + and - buttons at the bottom of the camera.
Thanks Dustin for this well explained review! I have the 50 lanthar and 40/1.2 on the Nikon Zf and enjoy these every day.I particularly like the. 40 mm.
Love seeing you do more Voigtlander reviews. For polarizing filters, you can screw the hood into the filter if the filter is threaded double sided and then turn the hood. The 35mm and 50mm APO Lanthars do have rounded blades and creates a perfectly round aperture at 2.8. I really enjoy using these lenses as they have that vintage feel and require more intentionality when you shoot.
Very excited that you're reviewing Voigtlaender! The irony of being on L-mount is that I miss out on all this electronically-coupled Voigtlaender action, but it does give me an excuse to get an X-Pro4 to use the Hybrid VF dynamic-framing with the VX lenses.
Just ordered the 40mm f/1.2 for Canon RF, definitely want to look into this one as well. It's nice to have electronic contacts/focusing guide available on a third-party lens with a unique look.
Great video, Dustin. Noticed your video in my feed and was interested in your thoughts on the lens as I bought the 75mm f1.5 Z mount a couple months ago from the US Voigtlander distributor (doesn't seem to be available at any of the big photo shops as of yet) to use on my Nikon Zf. I have the 35mm and 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar lenses as well, which are wonderful. Fortunately I got mine just before Voigtlander discontinued them. With regard to your comment about focusing aids on the Z8, such as zooming in to verify focus, you don't have to zoom out via the zoom buttons. Nikon added an option at some point over the last 6 months or so to cancel zoom with a half-press of the shutter button. For the Z8 it was part of firmware version 2.0 and is accessed in the Shooting/Display section of the Custom Setup Menu, This makes it function similar to your Sony. I set the OK button to 100% Zoom and this makes it a one button push to zoom in for focus and then half-press of the shutter button to get out of zoom. What's great about the Zf (and the Z6III now) is that if you're taking pictures of people when you zoom in it goes right to the eyes regardless of where they are on the frame. This is great for manual focus lenses. Maybe they'll add that function down the road on the other Z cameras.
Actually regarding C-PL, the hood works amazingly as you can mount the hood back onto the C-PL, and rotate the hood to control the C-PL. That's how I have been using my CV 35 APO for almost a year. This does kind of assume a semi-permanent installation of the C-PL though.
19.40 my experience with the voigtlander 40mm F1.2 is that the lens resolves better at mid to long distances. I'm actually quite comfortable shooting at F1.2 towards infinity and portrait distances. But around or near the minimum focus distance, it seems the glowing effect suddenly intensifies and requires stopping down to F2.8 to resolve. Still, the images always look special. I hope you can take a look at the 40mm version on Nikon or Canon. It seems to me that my version for canon is noticeably sharper than the one you were using for sony based on the provided test shots. I actually approached the lens with some apprehension as I have some really sharp lenses and was afraid that I would end up underwhelmed. I found however that in most cases F1.2 was really usable and opened up a lot of creative possibilities.
Great review! If you do have a Voigtländer connection I'd love to hear what you think of the 29mm f0.8 for MFT. Here in Toronto there is a store with one in stock and I am hesitating because it's very expensive.
This lens is the kind of thing that could convince me to have an all manual kit. I could happily use either my vintage Nikon 35 and 50 alongside this or shell out for the Voigtlander APOs and I doubt I'd ever look back. _God_ I hope these become more widely available.
Bot Voigtlander and Zeiss get build by Cosina in Japan, including the Otus. Altough each Otus gets testet by a special machine in Germany afaik. I have 28-80/2 from Canon and other very good lenses, but I always shoot with my Zeiss. It’s just more fun and love them
Very interesting video, as always. I really like your focussed approach to the reviews. I'm currently looking for a short telephoto lens to use on both my Leica M10 and Nikon Zf (with the TTArtisan M-Z adapter you get the green square confirmation also), so the m-mount version would be my choice. I've also looked at reviews of the Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f1.9, but the Nokton f1.5 seems to perform much better, especially at open aperture. That is very impressive.
The camera can show magnified manual focusing points as easily as Sony’s by assigning ‘zoom on/off’ function to one of the function buttons ( I set mine in the front right of the camera), all you need to do is to press the button while doing manual focusing. It can magnify up to 200%.
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the kislux leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
You need to try the MF Voigtlander on the Nikon ZF because it is the only camera that gives EyeAF in MF and makes focussing these amazing lenses wide open a breeze. I have the 35, 50 and 65 APOs, but my favorite is the 40mm F1.2. I have this 75mm F1.5 but it doesn't render with the same painterly (Leica / Zeiss) look as the 40.
also available in Leica M mount. one of my favorites for digital M along with 50mm Lanthar f2 and the 1.2. voightlander (Cosina) has some really excellent glass now.
One thing I was hoping that the 75mm f1.5 had was the same function of the aperture ring that the 35mm & 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar lenses have. Those two lenses have perfectly round aperture openings at f2, f2.8, f5.6 and f16. On the 75mm Nokton they're polygonal at all apertures.
I would say this is not only a Zeiss lens on a budget but also a Leica (contender) lens on a budget, which is arguably an even more special place to be! I've seen some comparisons over the years between Voigtlander lenses and Leica lenses and it always stuns me how competitive they are despite costing a fraction of the price.
just added the 65mm f2--having a little trouble with manual focus (all other lens auto) but sure I will learn-maybe should use mag. on screen to focus. first test vs tamron 35-150-f2--tamron better at 65mm--
One downside with testing on Canon and Nikon cameras, is that they have only 45 megapixels sensors, so the Lenses are not stressed enough to their limits.
Excellent review as always, I have Voigtlander lenses for my Nikon and love them. One thing I do is set one of the shooting banks or user settings on a dial for manual lenses and assign the AF-ON button to “zoom” in the custom menu. I find this much more comfortable and an easier to just quickly zoom in and out without having to reach for the + and - buttons at the bottom of the camera.
Thanks Dustin for this well explained review! I have the 50 lanthar and 40/1.2 on the Nikon Zf and enjoy these every day.I particularly like the. 40 mm.
Love seeing you do more Voigtlander reviews. For polarizing filters, you can screw the hood into the filter if the filter is threaded double sided and then turn the hood. The 35mm and 50mm APO Lanthars do have rounded blades and creates a perfectly round aperture at 2.8. I really enjoy using these lenses as they have that vintage feel and require more intentionality when you shoot.
Very excited that you're reviewing Voigtlaender!
The irony of being on L-mount is that I miss out on all this electronically-coupled Voigtlaender action, but it does give me an excuse to get an X-Pro4 to use the Hybrid VF dynamic-framing with the VX lenses.
Great to see that you now have access to Voigtlander lenses. They are my favourite lenses to shoot with on Sony.
I'm very glad, too!
Just ordered the 40mm f/1.2 for Canon RF, definitely want to look into this one as well. It's nice to have electronic contacts/focusing guide available on a third-party lens with a unique look.
I have the Nokton 40mm F1.2 and it's a magical lens. Sharp, small beautifully made and with amazing contrast and colors.
Beautiful test images Dustin, and such a glorious rendering lens!
It does render beautifully
Great video, Dustin. Noticed your video in my feed and was interested in your thoughts on the lens as I bought the 75mm f1.5 Z mount a couple months ago from the US Voigtlander distributor (doesn't seem to be available at any of the big photo shops as of yet) to use on my Nikon Zf. I have the 35mm and 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar lenses as well, which are wonderful. Fortunately I got mine just before Voigtlander discontinued them.
With regard to your comment about focusing aids on the Z8, such as zooming in to verify focus, you don't have to zoom out via the zoom buttons. Nikon added an option at some point over the last 6 months or so to cancel zoom with a half-press of the shutter button. For the Z8 it was part of firmware version 2.0 and is accessed in the Shooting/Display section of the Custom Setup Menu, This makes it function similar to your Sony. I set the OK button to 100% Zoom and this makes it a one button push to zoom in for focus and then half-press of the shutter button to get out of zoom. What's great about the Zf (and the Z6III now) is that if you're taking pictures of people when you zoom in it goes right to the eyes regardless of where they are on the frame. This is great for manual focus lenses. Maybe they'll add that function down the road on the other Z cameras.
Thanks for the tip.
The Z8 does have a setting to jump back to full view with half press of the shutter button. D18 in the custom setting
Thanks for the tip!
Actually regarding C-PL, the hood works amazingly as you can mount the hood back onto the C-PL, and rotate the hood to control the C-PL. That's how I have been using my CV 35 APO for almost a year. This does kind of assume a semi-permanent installation of the C-PL though.
19.40 my experience with the voigtlander 40mm F1.2 is that the lens resolves better at mid to long distances. I'm actually quite comfortable shooting at F1.2 towards infinity and portrait distances. But around or near the minimum focus distance, it seems the glowing effect suddenly intensifies and requires stopping down to F2.8 to resolve. Still, the images always look special.
I hope you can take a look at the 40mm version on Nikon or Canon. It seems to me that my version for canon is noticeably sharper than the one you were using for sony based on the provided test shots. I actually approached the lens with some apprehension as I have some really sharp lenses and was afraid that I would end up underwhelmed. I found however that in most cases F1.2 was really usable and opened up a lot of creative possibilities.
Nice review.
I have the Leica M mount version of the Voigtländer Nokton 75 mm f/1.5 lens. It’s pretty compact and relatively light for its spec.
Its a shame Zeiss is not designing lenses anymore, their Makro Planar were certainly great lenses.
Great review! If you do have a Voigtländer connection I'd love to hear what you think of the 29mm f0.8 for MFT. Here in Toronto there is a store with one in stock and I am hesitating because it's very expensive.
This lens is the kind of thing that could convince me to have an all manual kit. I could happily use either my vintage Nikon 35 and 50 alongside this or shell out for the Voigtlander APOs and I doubt I'd ever look back. _God_ I hope these become more widely available.
It is a lovely lens.
Bot Voigtlander and Zeiss get build by Cosina in Japan, including the Otus. Altough each Otus gets testet by a special machine in Germany afaik.
I have 28-80/2 from Canon and other very good lenses, but I always shoot with my Zeiss. It’s just more fun and love them
Very interesting video, as always. I really like your focussed approach to the reviews. I'm currently looking for a short telephoto lens to use on both my Leica M10 and Nikon Zf (with the TTArtisan M-Z adapter you get the green square confirmation also), so the m-mount version would be my choice. I've also looked at reviews of the Voigtländer Ultron 75mm f1.9, but the Nokton f1.5 seems to perform much better, especially at open aperture. That is very impressive.
This is a pretty sweet lens optically, for sure.
The camera can show magnified manual focusing points as easily as Sony’s by assigning ‘zoom on/off’ function to one of the function buttons ( I set mine in the front right of the camera), all you need to do is to press the button while doing manual focusing. It can magnify up to 200%.
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the kislux leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
You need to try the MF Voigtlander on the Nikon ZF because it is the only camera that gives EyeAF in MF and makes focussing these amazing lenses wide open a breeze.
I have the 35, 50 and 65 APOs, but my favorite is the 40mm F1.2. I have this 75mm F1.5 but it doesn't render with the same painterly (Leica / Zeiss) look as the 40.
also available in Leica M mount. one of my favorites for digital M along with 50mm Lanthar f2 and the 1.2. voightlander (Cosina) has some really excellent glass now.
One thing I was hoping that the 75mm f1.5 had was the same function of the aperture ring that the 35mm & 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar lenses have. Those two lenses have perfectly round aperture openings at f2, f2.8, f5.6 and f16. On the 75mm Nokton they're polygonal at all apertures.
I would say this is not only a Zeiss lens on a budget but also a Leica (contender) lens on a budget, which is arguably an even more special place to be!
I've seen some comparisons over the years between Voigtlander lenses and Leica lenses and it always stuns me how competitive they are despite costing a fraction of the price.
That’s a fair comparison
Just got it for Nikon Z .... Loving 😊
Looking good with that Nikon in your hand it even makes you look better. And that was hard to do. My crazy north Phot bro. From another brother.
Nice review, Dustin. BTW, on the Zed-8 with firmware 2.0, you can set up the magnification to return to full screen with a shutter half-press.
Someone else pointed that out and where to find the setting. I appreciate it, as it is buried pretty deep.
❤❤❤Je vous suis depuis quelque temps sur Sony Alphablog et ici : un grand merci pour votre travail de GRANDE QUALITÉ ! ❤❤❤
just added the 65mm f2--having a little trouble with manual focus (all other lens auto) but sure I will learn-maybe should use mag. on screen to focus. first test vs tamron 35-150-f2--tamron better at 65mm--
I own and like the 65mm F2.
the bokeh is amazing very artistic portrait lens
One downside with testing on Canon and Nikon cameras, is that they have only 45 megapixels sensors, so the Lenses are not stressed enough to their limits.
💙
That lens has a most delightful fall off.