Voigtländer 110mm f/2.5 Macro APO-Lanthar lens review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- Voigtländer APO-Lanthar is a serious badge of quality in the optical world - let's see if this Voigtländer lens can keep up the reputation.
All pictures taken by me on Sony a7R III and Sony a5100 cameras.
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Happy 40th Birthday Christopher Frost!!! (3:04)
Voigtlander is so underrated. Their M-mount lenses are 👌🏼
Great lenses, even used adapted to a mirrorless body.
~20 years ago I had a Voigländer 125 mm f2.5 APO Lanthar, it was great, no LOCA, as well. Bought it for 400 DM in 1999 (~200€) and sold it for 1500€ 6 years later. one of those legendary lenses.
Voigländer 125 mm f2.5 APO was announced in 05/2001 with the price ~$900.
@@log0log I'll dive back in my administration bought it second hand in Aachen (Germany) . On slide film it was great.
I have this lens, and I completely love it!
Thanks for all your work over the years Chris
Thanks for this review, Chris, informative and enjoyable as ever. One small quibble: the a-umlaut ("ä") sound in "Voigtländer" is difficult for English speakers, but is probably better represented by a short English "e" sound ("voyt-lender") than the short "a" we tend to use because of the spelling.
My German friend told me this, yes. But then again, when I pronounced it 'VoigtlEnder' in an earlier video, I got told off by a bunch of German people for mis-pronouncing it! So I don't know WHAT to think, haha. Perhaps it's a regional difference, I don't know.
im also seeing that 'voi' is 'foe' in english so something like: foegtlender
@@christopherfrosthonestly, as a swiss german speaker i think you pronounced it just right in this video 😅
@@christopherfrost ah, shows how much I know, then :-)
Isn't it like fooklenda lol
still keeping DSLR version Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 Macro APO-Lanthar, absolutely gorgeous lens!
I can very highly recommend Voigtländer APO-Lanthar Lenses, outstanding optical image quality and built like tanks. I have the 35mm 2.0, 65mm 2.0 and the 110mm.
Great review of a unique lens!
I've had a copy of this one for years, at times it creates images that are just startling in their clarity. But it's not at all easy, insect macros on my m4/3 setup took much less effort. Odd;y I find most of the images Ive taken with it, that I love, aren't actually really macro, more "animal portraits. Before the 200-600 was available, I took it to a island bird sanctuary, where I could get to about 2-3 metres away from birds sitting on branches, it was my longest lens at the time. Those shots still look great imo, Ive cropped them down a lot, but the sharpness and the bokeh of the foilage, still looks great when compared to my longer lenses today.
What an amazing lens.
Will we have ever watched an episode from Chris, where there is no clause “totally independent review”?) Thanks for your job!
This is gorgeous. Finally a lens with truly no loca!
Hope you get to test the Voigtlander 27mm f/2 pancake lens for Fuji too. I very much enjoy your lens review videos.
Very nice review again
Hi Christopher. I like your videos very much. Thanks for that.
The Voigtländer is a bit too expensive for me. Since you know a lot of lenses and also make videos about budget lenses, I wanted to ask if you can recommend budget macro lenses?
Manual (I have quite a few adapters) or AF for Fuji x mount?
I did a LOCA test using Zeiss Otus 55mm, Voigtlander 50mm f2, 110mm f2.5, Samyang 135mm f1.8, Zeiss 135mm f2 zf2. This lens destroys everything for LOCA correction. Samyang 135mm f1.8 comes close at number 2. Other lenses are awesome. They look great but for LOCA they are shamed by these two lenses. I expected Samyang to match this lens but this lens is the most APO lens I have ever owned and I have owned a lot of lenses. PS: Voigtlander 65mm is also similar.
Hi, I'm just curious what made you think the Samyang would perform better than this APO lens as far as LOCA goes? To my knowledge, the Samyang isn't an APO lens. I'm sure it would win in other departments, though.
@@princeharbinger as I said it performed better than some APO designated lenses in real world shots. Examples sre shiny metal surfaces under the sun, backlit fountain spray (which is again really brutal and shows coloe fringes both in and out of focus places). Samyang is better than many APO designated lenses including Otus 55mm, Zeiss 135mm f2 (classic), Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO (which beats Otus 55mm at f2 in my tests for LOCA) but not Voigtlander 110mm. On a strongly lit controlled LOCA test, 110mm is devoid of any color anywhere
V 110mm at 2.5 has less LOCA than Samyang 135 1.8 stopped down to 2.5. However Samyang defeats everything else at f1.8 (or at the minimum aperture of any tested lens). Also tested Nikon 50mm 1.8 Z. It is all right and maybe comparable to Otus 55mm
@nat-lj8kt Otus optics are quite old. It's understandable why current lenses would be better optically with the advancement in computers that coincide with optical development. I think the real reason Zeiss gave up on making lenses for still photographers is simply because they can not compete with the current manufacturers. The death of their main engineer also took a toll on them. Your finding sound about right. I'd say the weakest link as far as LOCA is concerned would be the CV 35mm F/2 APO-LANTHAR. I was quite surprised with how bad it was. Voigtländer has also stopped making lenses for Sony, it would seem. I haven't heard any new announcements in quite some time. It would be unfortunate if they decided to abandon making lenses for E mount as well.
@nat-lj8kt I think if I recall correctly, the Sony 90mm F/2.8 G OSS macro has an APO element in it. Although I find that my Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG DN Art surpasses it. You should try some of the Batis lenses if you haven't already. Maybe even try some of the Loxias.
It would be cool if a lens like this had two focus rings somehow. One for large focus adjustments and another for small adjustments.
Should be very doable.
microscopes have already showed us it's possible
Bought a Voightlander 35mm f1.4 Nokton Classic a week ago for about $200 CAD dollars. I may have saved money on this lens but fell in love with Voightlander so THAT's going to cost me. This lens I would also love to own one day after I get a Voight 50.
For manual focus macro work a long focus throw is actually useful as DOF is very shallow at f2.5 at macro distances, I agree it can seem like a chore though!
6:37 "It´s one of the sharpest Lenses I have tested" ! Do not worry about the focus throw, from infinity to 1 meter (3feet) it is less than 1/4 turn, so for "normal" use it is like most other manual focusing Lenses. For macro it is a great joy that the focus throw is long, much easier to use. I have seen many reviewers criticize the focus throw of the Voigtländer Macro Lenses, but the 110mm have only 90 degree turn from infinity to 80 cm, which not is lot and in the "normal" range of most photography, in fact many macro Lenses have too short a focus throw, so focusing in the "normal" range can difficult. For macro photography is is good with a long focus throw !
I like it. Honestly? When you watch first photos you pick in any lens test you can already say - it is good or not. On first test photos you can see sharpness, bokeh etc. Don't need to watch full review.
Wow wee! That is a sharp lens!
I dream of this lens for Fuji… 🤤
You're not the first reviewer to say autofocus is not too important for a macro lens, but I say the opposite is surely true. Macro is often where focus stacking is performed or is essential. Manual focus bracketing is quite a chore, and crippling for a live subject ready to dart off. This lens also has another problem for macro in that the front element is moving! How that affects macro work could have been covered. Other than that, this seems a very nice manual lens (and macro capable but not macro suitable), and a nice consistent formatted review as always.
I have done macro photography since 1980, autofocus is no go for macro. Most often macro Lenses where the front element moves forward are superior in optical image quality and more solid built.
@@cameraprepper7938 Well, (fellow) old timer, things have moved on since the 1980s. You’re in for a treat. Set your front focus point, focus step amount, and number of steps. Then press the shutter and the camera takes them all very quickly with an autofocus lens. That can be over a 100 shots in seconds. Imagine doing that by manual focus bracketing! So tedious and painful. For the newer Fuji’s, set the front focal point, and the rear point, and the camera will automatically work out the needed focus step and number. Then dump all the RAWs into fantastic easy software like Helicon Focus, click the stack button, and you have your focused stack image. (Plus with this software you’ll be supporting Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!) You can get 3D models too, and a video wobble of the 3D model. I don’t get why you needed to respond and not appreciate my original observation. A macro lens has a great need for autofocus. You never said why it has to be manual. Outdated I’m sure. Even for one shot I don’t have a problem with my XF80mm. Just move the focus curser where you need it, or touch the screen, and it focuses like any other scene. What’s the problem? WRT not appreciating an internally focus macro lens, it’s a waste telling me, you’ll need to write to every major mirrorless camera manufacturer and tell them they have it wrong when they produce such a lens.
Great review Chris. Now that you've a few of these APO-Lanthars, what focal length do you like the best. I was thinking of getting the 65MM, sort of splits the difference between the 35mm and the 110mm and I can live with the 1:2 reproduction ratio. Seems like it's hard to go wrong with any of them though.
110mm does not have aspherical lens element. Bokeh balls will be better because of this and 0 onion rings. 65mm is more uniform for corner to center sharpness(asphericals benefit). They both correct chromatic aberrations perfectly. 110mm is a good portrait lens (but not outstanding, a bit too much bokeh contrast compared to other less sharp lenses). 65mm can work sort of like a longer normal lens. 110mm is harder to use for macro including on a tripod. The lens is longer, extending a lot and ofc slower.
They both will have cats eye bokeh and some mechanical vignetting. 110mm ofc more bokehlicious due to parameters.
My suggestion: Pick based on your focal length preferred for macro OR pick based on what focal length makes more sense for your kit.
I have 50mm f2, 65mm f2, 110mm f2.5. 50mm is unique due to size/weight/performance. 65mm is a great walkaround with 1:2 closeup, casual shots. 110mm is great for more dedicated closeups and some portait work (but outclassed by 135mm f1.8 style lenses). All of them will shoot sick landscapes when slightly stopped down. Wide open 50mm is best followed by the others.
In the end: Gotta catch em all, Im sorry :)
I have the Voigtlämder APO-Lanthar Lenses 35, 65 and 110, when I got the 110mm, I rarely use the 65mm, 35 2.0 and 110mm 2.5 is a great combo, add an ultra wide angle Lens and you can cover just about anything. The 65mm is great for Landscapes !
Im hoping you get copies of the new Sirui sniper lenses. Im holding off buying those until I see some reviews from trusted sources like you.
I tell you to save your money and get the Viltrox Lenses, better sharpness and autofocus
Hi Chris! Love your videos. How would you say this compares to the Laowa 100mm macro which is also an APO lens?
I have seen test reviews of both Lenses, the Voigtländer 110mm 2.5 is superior, I own it (for 61 megapixels sensor) and can very highly recommend it.
I own a Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 E mount and it has wonderful character. I did get to use a 50mm f2 APO for three months late last year and can see why people would love the sharpness from APO lenses but it ultimately wasn't for me. Character over sharpness for me. Saying that stopping down to f2.8 with my 40mm gets very decent centre sharpness and you get edge to edge sharpness stopping down further. Great for street photography - my lens seems to stay decently sharp down to f16 with no noticeable diffraction and there's no focus shift either. Must have just been lucky with my copy.
At release, this was very appealing, but I have to say, these days, it seems most would be better served by the Sigma 105mm DG DN Macro. Autofocus is more helpful than ever at such a long focal length, at least at "normal" focus distances, and from Chris' tests, I don't see it lagging behind anywhere. Cheaper, lighter, weather sealed... you really gotta love manual focus or believe in the supposed color superiority of Voigtländer to choose this one.
When it comes to macro, I can't imagine using AF (with AF lenses too). Portraits and other subjects at medium distance are a different matter of course. But many of us do appreciate these metal lenses made with high precision, that will outlast every AF lens ever made. Those AF mechanisms can die after a couple of years really... It also depends if you're in rush or you can take your time (especially as a hobbyist). Horses for courses I guess. It's good to have choices though!
That color superiority is a real thing. It's a result of how Voigtlander corrects color aberrations including LOCA withour compromise.
@@nat-lj8ktDoesn't the color only apply to shooting in JPEG?
@@princeharbingerno my friend! It's like being colour blind, or changing red for green. You can correct it, for sure, but the capture information is deformed from the start. It's like working with a high iso in a way, if you have better colours (better signal for ISO) from the start, you have less noise to correct. If you are not in the limit, everything can be corrected, however you are at the limit, every detail counts. I prefer (if the budget permits it) to always have my colours as accurate as possible. With Sigma, most lenses have a yellow tinge to it. Again, can be corrected, even automatically with a good profile, but it's just not the same! Kudos
@luisfilipelopes2900 I haven't noticed signature colors between lenses when shooting raw. I typically use a grey card before I shoot. The only time I've ever noticed a difference I'd say is when I use a vintage lens with thorium and didn't use a grey card. I understand that we want the colors as accurate as possible. However, I often wonder why we bother sometimes considering the fact that most of our clients will be viewing the photos on uncalibrated devices?
Thank you for the great review! I used to own this lens and loved it, except for one problem: when you use it to "scan" your film negatives with the lens facing down, the focus slowly shifts due to the weight of the lens. This can be very annoying.
아~ 돼지갈비양념^^ ~~ 멋진 렌즈리뷰! 잘보고있어요, 최고입니다
nice video mate
can we have sony 50mm f2.8 macro?? :D
Wow, what a laser sharp lens
I never would've guessed that Christopher is a Chemical Brothers fan...
Please test the Nokton 50mm 1.0 for Nikon Z! Would be nice for the Z8
I have 2 Voigtlander lenses for MFT (60/f0.95 & 17.5/f0.95) and no lens from Panasonic or OMDS (Olympus) compares to the types of images Voigtlander provides. My only complaint is I wish they were a touch smaller in size- weight is fine.
Review the Voigtlander 50mm f1 Nokton Aspherical, please 🙏... Z mount version would be nice 😉
Ahh Homelander's favourite.
How does this compare to the new OM 90/3.5 macro? Not that they are competing for the same customers
The zeiss 135mm f2 apo sonnar or milvus are even better having no weakness over the whole frame at any distance. Possibly a little more expensive still.
But even the "Makro" version of the zeiss only has a 1:2 reproduction ratio, so i do not think it is a fair comparison since the voigtlander is a true macro lens.
Yes their apo 135 f2 is not really made as a macro lens, but it has perfect min focus image clarity. The 100mm f2 "macro" is shown as also of exemplary sharpness wide open but it is not apo by any means. But as all-rounders they make beautiful images basically unsurpassed.
Could be a cool lens for deep sky wide field astrophotography (nebulas and such not milky way) with absolutely zero color fringing straight from f 2.5
I with Cosina/Voigtlander made tilt-shift macro lens..
Lanthar lenses by VL are trully stars of optical manufacturing. High prices are one and only negative sades of them.
Quality cost, so it is not a downside, compared to fx Sony GM or other Lenses Voigtländer Lenses is much cheaper !
Hoping to see a review of the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 G2, comparing it to its nearest competitors and the G1 version.
I'm working on reviews of two Tamron lenses right now ;-)
Since macro lenses show a lot of focus breathing does this mean that their focal length is effectively a lot longer at MFD?
Shorter
Yes, especially for this lens which focuses externally, because in this design, a major part of focusing is achieved by pushing the entire lens away from the sensor, which doesn't really change focal length but narrows the angle of view. A prime lens corrected for focus breathing is in fact a zoom that zooms out as you focus closer, to maintain the angle of view.
@@Bayonet1809 On most prime lenses, focus breathing reduces the angle of view as you focus more closely, which is like having a longer focal length. On some zooms it does the opposite (which is why a lot of 70-200mm are known for having shitty reproduction ratio).
😮😮😮
really wish they made this for fuji
What a good show! Those Germans know a thing or two.
You've been pumping these out. Kudos.
It is made in Japan by the Japanese company Cosina who owns the brand Voigtländer. Cosina have also Lenses for Zeiss !
Not nearly as sharp as the *Nikon Z 105mm F2.8*, but the bokeh is indeed very good...!
I love Mussorgsky too 😅
Chris, Can you please admit that you love Korea very much? 🤭
Great Lens. But not for me.
That turning killed the lens for me. Completley uninterested now.
That turning is a great help for macro photography, it is a macro Lens ! For "normal" use it do not need much turning, I own the 110mm.
The dust that will suck in...
Also was thinking about it, with macro lens I often do pics or video with few mm of the ground, if I were using this voigtlander I would think twice before doing that :D
nice, but too dear
No, you cannot get that quality any cheaper !
I'm not a fan of lenses that look like they're from the 70s... We've moved on. Time to enter the modern world. Great optically though!
Lol 70s look is way nicer
The problem is that modern designs use a symphony of plastics and rubber rings of questionable longevity. That might be easy to look past on a stabilized autofocus lens that you barely interact with apart from resting it on your hand, but doesn't work well on a manual lens. Whoever thought of that focus ring design had a reason to design it like that. I feel similarly when it comes to some parts of this design, but all of the old lenses I've handled felt so much nicer than what we are offered now, so if I have the choice between a lens that is great both in terms of optics and haptics and one that looks modern but feels like crap in comparison, I know what I'm choosing. Plus, why would the design matter in daily use? You are looking through the lens, not at it.
@@helgeschneider4417 I made no comment on the materials used. It's the look that I don't like. I'm old enough to have used lenses like that when they were new-ish, and I thought they were ugly even then. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of modern (as in non-retro) lens designs that are ugly as well!
A lot of people LOVE that style of design :-)
That "old" design is meant to let the Lens live for decades, "modern" Lenses will not survive that long !