Category Archives: Manufacturers

lenses, Sony E-mount, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander 21mm F3.5 Color-Skopar

106 Comments

The Voigtlander 3.5/21 is a tiny, relatively affordable, manual focus lens for the Sony FE system. In this review I evaluate it’s performance.

Image Samples

You can find most images shown in this image in full resolution in this album.

Specifications

Diameter 63 mm
Length 40 mm
Filter Thread 52 mm
Weight 230 g
Max. Magnification
Close Focusing Distance from the sensor 0.2 m
Number of aperture blades 10
Elements/ Groups 9/8

The Voigtlander 3.5/21 sells for $699 at CameraQuest, B&H or amazon.com.749€ at ebay.de (affiliate links). If you purchase the lens through one of these affiliate-links I get a small compensation with no additional cost to you. 

Changelog

  • 4.6.19: A few minor changes, long-term conclusion and new samples
  • 6.11.18: Updated Alternatives, Sharpness, Alternatives and conclusion

Continue reading Review: Voigtlander 21mm F3.5 Color-Skopar →

lenses, Review, Sony E-mount, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton E

110 Comments

Introduction

voigtlander_50mm_1.2_nokton_e_title
Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton E on Sony A7rII

I already reviewed the M-mount version and liked it a lot. Now the native E-mount version has finally been released. Can it hold up to my high expectations?

Sample Images

voigtlander 50mm 1.2 e nokton sony fast 50 bokeh sharpness 42mp resolution a7rii a7riii review
Sony A7rII | Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton E | f/1.2
voigtlander 50mm 1.2 e nokton sony fast 50 bokeh sharpness 42mp resolution a7rii a7riii review
Sony A7rII | Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton E | f/2.8
voigtlander 50mm 1.2 e nokton sony fast 50 bokeh sharpness 42mp resolution a7rii a7riii review
Sony A7rII | Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton E | f/1.2

Continue reading Review: Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton E →

lenses, Review, Zeiss, Zeiss C/Y mount

Review: Contax Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 4.5-5.6/100-300

45 Comments
Contax Vario-Sonnar 4.5-5.6/100-300 mounted on my Sony A7III via Novoflex NEX/CONT* adapter and with Novoflex ASTAT-NEX* tripod collar.

The Contax Zeiss 4.5-5.6/100-300 T* MM is a telephoto lens that hit the market in the mid 1990’s. It was also one of the last lenses that were designed for the Contax/Yashica mount. It is rare because it was very expensive in a time when autofocus telephoto lenses were already available. Lets have a closer look at this exotic legend.

Sample Images

Sony A7III | Contax 4.5-5.6/100-300 | full size
Sony A7III | Contax 4.5-5.6/100-300 | full size
Sony A7III | Contax 4.5-5.6/100-300 | full size
Sony A7III | Contax 4.5-5.6/100-300 | full size

Continue reading Review: Contax Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 4.5-5.6/100-300 →

lenses, Manufacturers, Review, Sony E-mount, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander 12mm 5.6 Aspherical Ultra Wide Heliar

23 Comments

Introduction

The Voigtländer 12mm 5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar E aspherical is one of the widest lenses you can buy and thanks to its moderate speed it is also a rather small lens.

Sample Images

Sony A7iii | Voigtländer Ultra-Wide Heliar 5.6/12 III Sony E | f/11

Sony A7iii | Voigtländer Ultra-Wide Heliar 5.6/12 III Sony E | f/11
Sony A7iii | Voigtländer Ultra-Wide Heliar 5.6/12 III Sony E | f/11

Continue reading Review: Voigtlander 12mm 5.6 Aspherical Ultra Wide Heliar →

Leica M, lenses, Review, Voigtlander

Review: Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton

68 Comments

Introduction

review voigtlander 50mm 1.2 nokton vm leica m mount rangefinder messsucher sony adapted a7rII a7riii a7r3 a7rm3 helicoid 42mp
Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton via Hawk’s Factory helicoid adapter on Sony A7rII

After Voigtlander gave us the 40mm 1.2 we now also get a 50mm 1.2. Is it just a slightly longer version of the 40mm or actually a better lens in the end? Read on to find out.
Update Oct. 2023: general update of the whole review

This lens is also part of my Comparison of 6 Super Fast 50mm M-mount Lenses together with the Leica 50mm 0.95 Noctilux-M, the Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 M, the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.0 Nokton, MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM and Mr. Ding 50mm 1.1.

Sample Images

review voigtlander 50mm 1.2 nokton vm leica m mount rangefinder messsucher sony adapted a7rII a7riii a7r3 a7rm3 helicoid 42mp
Sony A7rII | Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton | f/4.0
review voigtlander 50mm 1.2 nokton vm leica m mount rangefinder messsucher sony adapted a7rII a7riii a7r3 a7rm3 helicoid 42mp
Sony A7s | Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton | f/1.2
review voigtlander 50mm 1.2 nokton vm leica m mount rangefinder messsucher sony adapted a7rII a7riii a7r3 a7rm3 helicoid 42mp
Sony A7rII | Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton | f/1.2

Continue reading Review: Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.2 Nokton →