{"id":9305,"date":"2017-09-15T10:21:36","date_gmt":"2017-09-15T09:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=9305"},"modified":"2024-04-21T14:24:04","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T13:24:04","slug":"voigtlander-65-f2-apo-macro-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/voigtlander-65-f2-apo-macro-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Voigtlander 65 mm F2 Macro APO-Lanthar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Voigtlander 65mm F2 Macro APO-Lanthar is the second APO branded E-mount lens and promises great image qualities as well as macro capabilities in an unusual focal length. In this review I evaluate whether the high price and relatively large size are worth it.<\/p>\n

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Image Samples<\/h1>\n

You can find all images shown in this image in full resolution in this album<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Specifications<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Diameter<\/td>\n78 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Length<\/td>\n91 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Thread<\/td>\n67 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n635 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max. Magnification<\/td>\n0.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Close Focusing Distance from the sensor<\/td>\n0.31 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of aperture blades<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/ Groups<\/td>\n10\/8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
The Voigtlander 2\/65 APO-Macro sells for $999\u00a0<\/b>at CameraQuest<\/a>,\u00a0B&H,<\/a>\u00a0amazon.com<\/a>\u00a0or ebay.com<\/a>, 999\u20ac at ebay.de<\/a> (affiliate links).<\/em><\/address>\n

Disclosure<\/h1>\n

A copy of the 2\/65 APO was loaned to me from Voigtlander’s German distributor ringfoto.de<\/a>\u00a0for a few weeks. After that I bought my own copy at full retail price.<\/em><\/p>\n

Features<\/h1>\n

The Voigtlander 65mm F2 Macro APO-Lanthar is a fully manual lens so you have to change focus and aperture by yourself. The camera can’t change the aperture so S- and P-mode will not work as with native lenses.<\/p>\n

It has electronic contacts to communicate with the camera. The lens provides correct exif-data and distance information so that 5-axis OSS can be used. Focus magnification can be automatically activated when the focus ring gets turned.<\/p>\n

The Voigtl\u00e4nder carries the Macro tag but unlike most other modern Macros like the Sony FE 2.8\/50 Macro<\/a>\u00a0it only reaches a magnification ratio of 1:2. This is quite usual for a manual lens which does not focus internally, it would need to have a very large helicoid otherwise.<\/p>\n

Voigtlander also calls it an APO lens which means that chromatic aberrations are very well corrected. More on this further below.<\/p>\n

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Build quality and handling<\/h1>\n

The Voigtlander 65mm F2 Macro offers very good build quality<\/b>. The lens hull is made from nothing but metal and tolerances are very low. Most but not all markings are engraved.<\/p>\n

There is no gasket around the mount and Voigtlander does not claim any weather resistance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Of course I can’t tell you how durable the lens will be in the long term. All I can do is give you my superficial impression which is very positive in this case.<\/p>\n

Our experience with getting Voigtlander lenses repaired is not the best though, the lens had to be shipped to Japan so the repair took two months.<\/p>\n

Handling<\/h1>\n

If you have used Zeiss Loxia lenses you will probably have been frustrated by the fact that there is no good place to grab them when you change lenses. This is not an issue with the Voigtlander since you can easily grab it by its base which is even textured for better grip.<\/p>\n

Focus Ring<\/strong><\/p>\n

The focus ring\u00a0<\/strong>travels around 250 degrees from 31 cm to 1 m and a further 40 degrees to infinity. I think that is a very reasonable transmission for a macro but it is a bit slower to focus precisely at longer distances. The ring itself is easy to grip and the resistance is about perfect.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aperture ring<\/strong><\/p>\n

The aperture ring is a joy to use<\/strong>. It is made from metal with distinctive stops and a very pleasant resistance. I am not a fan of 1\/3 stops but apart from that it is great. The Voigtlander stops down to f\/22.<\/p>\n

Hood<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Voigtlander 65mm F2 Macro has a deeply recessed front element so I see no reason for a hood<\/strong> but none the less it comes with a small hood made from metal.<\/p>\n

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Size and Weight<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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from left to right: FE 2\/28, 2\/65 APO, FE 4\/16-35, FE 2.8\/90 Macro, FE 4\/70-200<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\nThis is not an internally focusing lens so it extends a lot when focused at 1:2.<\/em><\/p>\n

The CV 2\/65 is a substantial lens. In my experience so far handling is still pleasant but many smaller lenses feel better matched with my a7ii. In light of the great performance this is not a big issue but something to consider when you decide whether to purchase the lens.<\/p>\n

Optical performance<\/h1>\n

These results are based on the use with a Sony Alpha 7II.<\/p>\n

Flare Resistance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When pushed very hard the Voigtlander will show ghosting, some veiling flare and an unusually high amount of sensor reflections at least on my a7ii.<\/p>\n

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pushed by two stops but otherwise unedited<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I made the image above early in my rolling review and it lead to me rating the lens average in this aspect. Since then I have had a closer look at the flare resistance and usually it performed well even in demanding scenarios so now I would rate it quite good<\/strong> actually.<\/p>\n

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Sunstars<\/h2>\n

Voigtlander lenses are known for their very defined 10-pointed sunstars. Personally I like this effect a lot, other people don’t. You just need to stop down to f\/2.5 until they are very well defined.<\/p>\n

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Bokeh<\/h2>\n

Overal I would rate the Voigtlander’s bokeh positive but let’s have a closer look.<\/p>\n

Wide open at f\/2 it is nearly as smooth as that of the FE55<\/a>\u00a0which in my eyes has one of the smoothest bokehs in any normal lens but the APO-Macro has a lot less bokeh fringing. As usual bokeh is the smoothest at close distances and deteriorates a bit as you focus further.<\/p>\n

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The transition zone is neither good nor bad:<\/p>\n

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Cat eyes are quite pronounced and there are minor onion rings:<\/p>\n

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Stopped down beyond f\/2 the aperture shape becomes visible because the Voigtlander has straight aperture blades. This can be annoying especially if you have a high contrast background or it can be of little consequence if your background has less contrast. It is also less noticeable as the oof-highlights get smaller as you stop down.<\/p>\n