{"id":13837,"date":"2018-07-13T11:28:17","date_gmt":"2018-07-13T10:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=13837"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:26:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:26:33","slug":"review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Carl Zeiss Jena 183mm 1.9 Visionar"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Introduction<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14102\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14102\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14102 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carl_zeiss_jena_visionar_183_1.9.jpg\" alt=\"projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 183mm 1.9\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carl_zeiss_jena_visionar_183_1.9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carl_zeiss_jena_visionar_183_1.9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carl_zeiss_jena_visionar_183_1.9-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14102\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 on Sony A7rII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After I tried the Visionar 109mm 1.6 I became quite interested in this line of projector lenses as they offer quite a lot of glass for the money. The 183mm 1.9 is the second longest and extreme of the line. So if you are interested in the look of a 180mm 2.0 but don&#8217;t want to spend more than 500\u20ac be sure to keep reading!<\/p>\n<h1>Sample Images<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14604\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14604\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14604\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_20.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_20.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_20-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_20-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14604\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14575\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14575\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14575 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_4.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_4-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14575\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14601\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14601\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14601\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_17.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_17.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_17-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_17-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14601\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><em>Most of the sample images in this review can be found in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/140854680@N04\/albums\/72157670823229558\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h1>Visionar History<\/h1>\n<p>The Visionar lenses were used for cinema projectors and came in different aperture\/focal length combinations like 1.6\/55mm, 1.6\/92mm, 1.6\/100mm, 1.6\/109mm, 1.9\/141mm, 1.9\/168, 1.9\/183 and even 1.9\/200mm (probably not a complete list).<br \/>\nUsually these lenses are pretty well corrected, especially considering their age, but they come with two significant flaws: they usually don&#8217;t feature a helicoid and cannot easily be focused and they also don&#8217;t feature an aperture diaphragm so they cannot be stopped down.<br \/>\nThe same lenses were also produced by Rathenower Optische Werke (short: ROW). Optically they are the same but can sometimes be found cheaper because of the missing &#8220;Zeiss&#8221; tag.<\/p>\n<h1>Specifications<\/h1>\n<p>This lens was adapted using stock parts so no non reversible modifications to the lens had to be made. You will find the single components I used in the handling section. With all these components the lens has the following specifications:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Diameter: 118 mm<\/li>\n<li>Field of view: 13.5\u00b0 (diagonally)<\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;Length: 232 mm (at infinity with adapter)<\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;Weight: 2965g (with adapter and tripod collar)<\/li>\n<li>Filter Diameter: &#8211;<\/li>\n<li>Number of Aperture Blades: &#8211;<\/li>\n<li>Elements\/Groups: 6\/6<\/li>\n<li>Close Focusing Distance: 1.41 m<\/li>\n<li>Maximum Magnification: 1:5.9<\/li>\n<li>Mount: \u00d880 adapted to Sony-E<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This lens itself can be bought used and prices start at <strong>$400\/400\u20ac<\/strong> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?LH_CAds=&amp;_ex_kw=&amp;_fpos=&amp;_fspt=1&amp;_mPrRngCbx=1&amp;_nkw=visionar+183mm+1.9&amp;_sacat=625&amp;_sadis=&amp;_sop=12&amp;_udhi=&amp;_udlo=&amp;_fosrp=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_ex_kw=&amp;_mPrRngCbx=1&amp;_nkw=visionar+183mm+1.9&amp;_sacat=625&amp;_sop=12&amp;_udhi=&amp;_udlo=&amp;_fosrp=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links).<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h1>Handling \/ Build Quality<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14113\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14113\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14113 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/visionar_183_1.9-1.jpg\" alt=\"projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino 183mm 1.9\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/visionar_183_1.9-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/visionar_183_1.9-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/visionar_183_1.9-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14113\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The lens itself is a massive piece of metal with 6 big glass elements. No focus ring, no aperture diaphragm.<\/p>\n<p>You can easily adapt the lens by getting the following parts of ebay:<a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/711-53200-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575156171&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=80mm+m65+adapter&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=625&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229466&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\"> \u00d880mm to M65 adapter<\/a> in combination with an <a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/711-53200-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575156171&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=helicoid+m65+25-55mm&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=625&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229466&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\">M65 helicoid 25-55mm<\/a> and an <a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/711-53200-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575156171&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=M65x1+thread+to+Sony+E-mount&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=625&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229466&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\">M65 to E-mount adapter<\/a>. I further recommend getting a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2IDO9af\">generic tripod collar for the Nikon AF-S 80-200mm 2.8<\/a>, you may add a stripe of duct tape for a tight fit (affiliate links).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14108\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14108\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14108\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/m65_adapter_parts.jpg\" alt=\"projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino\" width=\"800\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/m65_adapter_parts.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/m65_adapter_parts-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/m65_adapter_parts-768x326.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u00d880-&gt;M65 adapter, M65 helicoid (25-55mm), M65-&gt;Sony-E adapter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14109\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14109\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14109\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/M65_helicoid_adapter_projector_lens.jpg\" alt=\"projection lens projector cinema carl zeiss jena czj row rathenower optische werke kino\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/M65_helicoid_adapter_projector_lens.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/M65_helicoid_adapter_projector_lens-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/M65_helicoid_adapter_projector_lens-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14109\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u00d880-&gt;M65 adapter, M65 helicoid (25-55mm), M65-&gt;Sony-E adapter on camera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With a lens this big you will obviously be holding the lens and moving the camera when turning the helicoid. This setup is definetly not for fast action shots because the balacing is somewhat off with the &#8220;focus ring&#8221; so close to the camera.<\/p>\n<h1>Vignetting<\/h1>\n<p><strong>light falloff<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13874 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/vignetting_visionar_183mm_1.9.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap vignetting\" width=\"750\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/vignetting_visionar_183mm_1.9.jpg 750w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/vignetting_visionar_183mm_1.9-300x141.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/em><\/p>\n<p>This lens covers even more than the full frame area and this is positive influence on the vignetting figures. Vignetting amounts to 1.5 stops, which is a bit less than the Canon 1.8\/200 wide open and comparable to the Olympus 2\/180.<br \/>\nYou get slightly darker corners when focused at infinity, this goes away when focusing on something closer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>mechanical vignetting<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What is really impressive with this lens is the low amount of mechanical vignetting. To show how impressive it actually is here is a comparison to the Olympus OM Zuiko 180mm 2.0 Auto-T and the Canon EF 200mm 1.8L USM.<br \/>\nSo in the following comparison we move from the center (left) to the extreme corner (right) and see how the shape of the light circle changes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-1-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-78027\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Visionar 183mm 1.9<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Olympus OM 180mm 2.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Canon EF 200mm 1.8L<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-1-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-78027\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane1-0\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13872 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_visionar_183.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_visionar_183.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_visionar_183-300x75.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_visionar_183-768x192.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane1-1\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13873 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_zuiko_180_2.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_zuiko_180_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_zuiko_180_2-300x75.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_zuiko_180_2-768x192.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane1-2\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13871 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_canon_200_1.8.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_canon_200_1.8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_canon_200_1.8-300x75.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mechanical_vignetting_canon_200_1.8-768x192.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p>All lenses were focused at the same distance and I tried to keep the position of the front lens constant. As can be seen this Visionar shows almost no mechanical vignetting and the light circles have almost the same size across the whole frame.<br \/>\nThis is quite different from the other lenses, especially the Olympus, which shows quite significant mechanical vignetting.<br \/>\nThis does not only mean that the bokeh towards the corners will look pretty nice but also makes the Visionar a great lens for <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/the-best-lenses-for-brenizer-bokehpanoramas\/\">brenizer\/bokehpanorama<\/a> work.<\/p>\n<h1>Sharpness<\/h1>\n<p><em>infinity<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13928 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sharpness_visionar_183_1.9.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sharpness_visionar_183_1.9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sharpness_visionar_183_1.9-248x300.jpg 248w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Sharpness_visionar_183_1.9-768x930.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When focused at something close to infinity the lens shows some field curvature. This lens is obviously not the right choice if you want to take stopped down landscape\/architecture pictures<\/p>\n<p><em>close (1.45m), center<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-2-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-59240\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/1.9<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Overview<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-2-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-59240\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane2-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14610 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_crop.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_crop.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_crop-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_crop-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane2-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14611 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_overview.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_overview.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_overview-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_sharpness_close_overview-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<em>100% crop from center, A7rII<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The performance at the minimum focus distance in the center is not that bad but this is one of the lenses where the focal plane with least color fringing is not the one with best sharpness. I found it quite usable for most close up scenarios, but have a look at my sample images to decide for yourself.<\/p>\n<h1>Flare resistance<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14592\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14592\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14592 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_portrait.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_portrait.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_portrait-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_portrait-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14592\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Apart from the lack of helicoid and aperture diaphragm the flare resistance is the biggest drawback to these projector lenses. Without strong light sources in the frame &#8211; or close to it &#8211; contrast isn&#8217;t bad at all, but if there is stray light hitting the lens contrast is significantly reduced.<br \/>\nIn the following comparison the sun was close to the frame in the first shot, which led to a significant loss in contrast. For the second shot I moved a bit to the side which gave better results, but some veiling flare remains. Processing is exactly the same for both shots.<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-3-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-91272\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">stray light<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">less stray light<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-3-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-91272\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane3-0\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14591 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_lots_of.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_lots_of.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_lots_of-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_lots_of-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-1\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14593 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_less_flare.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_less_flare.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_less_flare-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_less_flare-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p>So you really have to watch out for stray light and also shooting directly into the sun with this lens is a bad idea, unlike you like this low contrast look:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14595\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14595\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14595\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_sun_inside_frame.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_sun_inside_frame.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_sun_inside_frame-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_flare_sun_inside_frame-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14595\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Coma<\/h2>\n<p>Performance is not as good as we have seen with the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-visionar-168mm-1-9\/\">Visionar 1.9\/168<\/a>. But for the main applications for this lens (shallow DoF photography and portraits) this will rarely be a problem.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14619\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14619\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14619 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_coma.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_coma.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_coma-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_coma-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14619\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9 | 100% crop from extreme corner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Distortion<\/h2>\n<p>Distortion is pretty much non existent.<\/p>\n<h1>Bokeh<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14580\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14580\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14580 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_9.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_9-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14580\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The bokeh rendering is obviously the reason to get this lens and I don&#8217;t know of any other lens where you get so much bokeh per dollar spent.<br \/>\nCompared to the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-visionar-168mm-1-9\/\">Visionar 1.9\/168<\/a> this lens is more noticeably overcorrected for spherical aberrations which makes the bokeh a bit harsher with more noticeable outlining.<br \/>\nObviously what kind of rendering you prefer is a matter of personal taste, so have a look at the sample images.<br \/>\nAlso (as we have already seen with the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-109mm-1-6-visionar\/\">Visionar 1.6\/109<\/a>) the focusing distance plays a very important role:<\/p>\n<div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-4-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-71459\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">close<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">mid<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">far<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-4-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-71459\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane4-0\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14588 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_close.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_close.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_close-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_close-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-1\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14590 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_mid.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_mid.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_mid-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_mid-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-2\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14589 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_far.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_far.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_far-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_bokeh_far-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p>At head and shoulder potrait distance the background is rendered super smooth.<br \/>\nFor half body it is still very nice and just a tad less smooth.<br \/>\nTaking shots from farther away (full body with a few surroundings) and bokeh gets much more nervous with distinct outlining.<\/p>\n<p>So if you focus on something close the background will just melt away:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14578\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14578\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14578 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_7.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_7-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_7-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14578\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Focus on something farther away and the harsher bokeh with double edged structures becomes quite obvious:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14574\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14574\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14574 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_3.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14574\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14582\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14582\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14582 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_11.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_11-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14582\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Still, with the Visionar 183mm 1.9 you can get subject separation only equalled by lenses costing 10 times as much.<\/p>\n<p>Because of the well behaved mechanical vignetting this is also a great lens for <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/the-best-lenses-for-brenizer-bokehpanoramas\/\">brenizer\/bokehpanorama<\/a> work:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14126\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14126\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14126 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/183_1.9.jpg\" alt=\"bokeh panorama bokehpanorama brenizer bokehrama mechanical vignetting guide review\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/183_1.9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/183_1.9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/183_1.9-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14126\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7s | Visionar 183mm 1.9 | 54mm f\/0.56 equivalent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Chromatic aberration<\/h1>\n<p><strong>lateral<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14614\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14614\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14614 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_ca.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_ca.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_ca-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_ca-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14614\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9 | 100% crop from extreme corner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With this lens you almost always have a combination of lateral and longitudinal CA so even with the auto correction there will still be color fringes left. This is will hardly be field relevant with this lens though.<\/p>\n<p><strong>longitudinal<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14609\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14609\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14609\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_close.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_close.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_close-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_close-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14609\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9 | 50% crop from center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In close up scenarios the longitudinal CA are already visible, yet not overly bothersome. But if you focus at something farther away in more demanding scenes you can definetly spot quite a lot of purple fringing, comparable to most legacy 85mm 1.4 lenses:<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-5-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-85023\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">no correction<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">corrected<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-5-review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar-85023\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane5-0\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14585 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_uncorrected.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_uncorrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_uncorrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_uncorrected-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-1\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14584 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_corrected.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_corrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_corrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/visionar_183_1.9_loca_corrected-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>100% crops from center, A7rII<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>In this case it was possible to correct the purple fringing with the help of Lightroom, but this won&#8217;t always be a lossless process.<\/p>\n<h1>Alternatives<\/h1>\n<p>There are not many lenses with comparable specifications:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-olympus-180mm-2-0-om-zuiko-auto-t\/\"><em><strong>Olympus OM Zuiko 180mm 2.0 Auto-T:<\/strong><\/em><\/a><br \/>\nThis is the closest in terms of specs. It has better sharpness at all distances due to a floating elements design, better flare resistance and is significantly lighter. It also shows worse mechanical vignetting figures and costs at least 10 times as much.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-visionar-168mm-1-9\/\"><em><strong>Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168mm 1.9:<\/strong><\/em><\/a><br \/>\nThis slightly shorter Visionar renders bokeh a bit smoother at some distances and weighs a little (440g) less.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Nikon Ai-S 200mm 2.0 ED:<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nOf all the 2\/200 this is the cheapest. I have no personal experience with it but bokeh is a bit harsher compared to the other (more modern) 2\/200s.<\/p>\n<h1>Conclusion<\/h1>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">bokeh (at most distances)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">low mechanical vignetting\/cat&#8217;s eyes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">distortion<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">price<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">sharpness (not at infinity)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">size\/weight<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>average<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>correction of CA<\/li>\n<li>coma correction<\/li>\n<li>build quality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>not good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">does not come with focus or aperture ring<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">flare resistance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">field curvature at infinity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Many of the things I have written about the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-visionar-168mm-1-9\/\">Visionar 1.9\/168<\/a> apply here as well:<\/p>\n<p>With these parameters there is barely any competition short of a few very expensive (D)SLR lenses. Compared to these there are a few obvious disadvantages: The lack of an aperture diaphragm means this lens will only be suited for portraiture and shallow depth of field photography and not really for landscape and architecture. Furthermore flare resistance is really quite bad, so you always have to watch out for any light hitting the front element.<\/p>\n<p>But if you can work around these flaws the lens can give great results. I often found the bokeh to be very pleasing, but you shouldn&#8217;t be too far away from your model to avoid outlining in the background bokeh, the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-visionar-168mm-1-9\/\">1.9\/168<\/a> is slightly better behaved in this regard.<\/p>\n<p>If you already liked the look of the super fast tele lenses like the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-olympus-180mm-2-0-om-zuiko-auto-t\/\">Olympus 2\/180<\/a> or the Nikon\/Canon 2\/200 \u2013 but so far you couldn\u2019t or didn\u2019t want to afford these \u2013 you should consider giving these longer Visionar lenses a serious look. As with these you can get similar bokeh rendering for very little money.<\/p>\n<p><em>This lens itself can be bought used and prices start at <strong>$400\/400\u20ac<\/strong> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?LH_CAds=&amp;_ex_kw=&amp;_fpos=&amp;_fspt=1&amp;_mPrRngCbx=1&amp;_nkw=visionar+183mm+1.9&amp;_sacat=625&amp;_sadis=&amp;_sop=12&amp;_udhi=&amp;_udlo=&amp;_fosrp=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_ex_kw=&amp;_mPrRngCbx=1&amp;_nkw=visionar+183mm+1.9&amp;_sacat=625&amp;_sop=12&amp;_udhi=&amp;_udlo=&amp;_fosrp=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links).<\/em><\/p>\n<h1>Sample Images<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14603\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14603\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14603\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_19.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_19.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_19-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_19-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14603\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14597\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14597\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14597\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_13.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_13.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_13-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14597\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14598\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14598\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14598\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_14.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_14.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_14-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_14-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14598\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14605\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14605\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14605\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_21.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_21.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_21-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14605\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14599\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14599\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14599\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_15.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_15.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_15-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_15-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14599\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14600\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14600\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14600\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_16.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_16.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_16-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14600\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14607\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14607\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14607\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_23.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_23.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_23-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_23-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14607\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14596\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14596\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14596\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_12.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_12.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_12-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14596\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14577\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14577\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14577 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_6.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14577\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14572\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14572\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14572 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_1.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_1-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14572\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14573\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14573\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14573 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_2.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14573\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14581\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14581\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14581 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_10.jpg\" alt=\"carl zeiss jena visionar 183mm 1.9 projector lens cinema sony a7rii a7rm2 review sharpness bokeh supertele fast cheap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_10-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carl_zeiss-Jena_visionar_183_1.9_sample_10-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14581\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony A7rII | Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183mm 1.9 | f\/1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Most of the sample images in this review can be found in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/140854680@N04\/albums\/72157670823229558\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h1>Further Reading<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/fe-lenses-sony-comprehensive-independent-guide\/\">Sony FE lenses: Our comprehensive and independent guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-sony-fe-85mm-1-4-gm\/\">Review: Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/35mm-comparison-voigtlander-zeiss-leica\/\">35mm comparison: Zeiss, Leica, Voigtlander<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/tripods-mirrorless-cameras\/\">Tripods for mirrorless cameras<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Support Us<\/h1>\n<p>Did you find this article useful or just liked reading it? Treat us to a coffee!<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=3K9EJRRQVXT4J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40345 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donate2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"103\" height=\"29\"><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"> <span style=\"color: #999999;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"><em>via Paypal<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>This site contains advertisement\/affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as advertisement\/affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction After I tried the Visionar 109mm 1.6 I became quite interested in this line of projector lenses as they offer quite a lot of glass for the money. The 183mm 1.9 is the second longest and extreme of the line. So if you are interested in the look of a 180mm 2.0 but don&#8217;t &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Review: Carl Zeiss Jena 183mm 1.9 Visionar<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4708,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[419],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13837","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vintage"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Review: Carl Zeiss Jena 183mm 1.9 Visionar - phillipreeve.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-183mm-1-9-visionar\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Review: Carl Zeiss Jena 183mm 1.9 Visionar - phillipreeve.net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Introduction After I tried the Visionar 109mm 1.6 I became quite interested in this line of projector lenses as they offer quite a lot of glass for the money. 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