nzeeman
Well-known
Just a very little bit pincushion distortion.
Shot with Leica IIIg.
Erik.
i think this is a proof that distortion is very low. if you pull a line in some drawing program from one brick edge to another in other end of photo you will just slightly cut brick in the middle of wall. nothing to be scared of. and in lower part of photo is adding that feeling of pincushion distortion because floor is not flat because of entrance...
Sparrow
Veteran
Why do these fallacies persist despite evidence to the contrary? It has no distortion I can see
Uwe_Nds
Chief Assistant Driver
Why do these fallacies persist despite evidence to the contrary? It has no distortion I can see
Well, I put some straight lines in Erik's pic - Erik, I hope you do not mind.
If there is no distortion, the brickies must have had one too many.
I did a bricklayer's apprenticeship and even as an apprentice, I would have had my spirit level shoved up my 'arris for delivering such work.
Cheers,
Uwe
Attachments
Sparrow
Veteran
I am not claiming that photo isn’t I am saying that the lens doesn’t.
The sprit level would have been better employed on top of the camera that took that photo actually

The sprit level would have been better employed on top of the camera that took that photo actually
Gaspar
Established
I don't see any distortion worth loosing sleep over.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
The VC 50/2.5 is my in-between lens, not used very much, which is a shame. It is a great little lens, very well-built with all the right stuff. I have this mental block that a 50mm lens should be f1.4 or it is not worth using.
In actual use, it is compact, nimble and sharp with good contrast. I never seen any distortion that bothered me, but then I don't shoot many brick walls. It is not as sharp at f2.5 as any of my Nikkor 50mm f1.4's are at f1.4.
I had mine for sale, but then decided to keep it as I am going through a bit of a 50mm craze at the moment. If you can find one for the price, grab it, great lens.
In actual use, it is compact, nimble and sharp with good contrast. I never seen any distortion that bothered me, but then I don't shoot many brick walls. It is not as sharp at f2.5 as any of my Nikkor 50mm f1.4's are at f1.4.
I had mine for sale, but then decided to keep it as I am going through a bit of a 50mm craze at the moment. If you can find one for the price, grab it, great lens.
Donovan
Member
I've really been enjoying mine. Solidly built, love the focus ring and silver finish, everything mechanically is snappy. It is plenty fast enough and seems sharp wide open. If one is constantly in lowlight situations buy some Superia 1600 or Neopan 1600. Add me to the list that has never experienced any distortion.
petebown
Established
I must use mine more! For the past few years my main lens on the R2A has been the 35mm Ultron.
As others have said, its not a soft lens. My guess is that the bokeh (out of focus effect) is more pleasing than the Nokton lens as it has the 'feel' of an older lens.
I would also guess that the barrel/pincushion distortion will be worse on the Nokton as that's usually the case for bright lenses... What you gain in brightness, you lose in distortion. I've never understood why anyone wants to pay three times the price for an extra stop, when the smaller aperture lens is usually sharper with less aberrations. If you need an extra stop, buy a faster film. Fuji's 800ISO colour print film is brilliant stuff these days.
As others have said, its not a soft lens. My guess is that the bokeh (out of focus effect) is more pleasing than the Nokton lens as it has the 'feel' of an older lens.
I would also guess that the barrel/pincushion distortion will be worse on the Nokton as that's usually the case for bright lenses... What you gain in brightness, you lose in distortion. I've never understood why anyone wants to pay three times the price for an extra stop, when the smaller aperture lens is usually sharper with less aberrations. If you need an extra stop, buy a faster film. Fuji's 800ISO colour print film is brilliant stuff these days.
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Donovan
Member
It's worth noting this lens has been discontinued. So if interested I would not wait too long, especially if you want a silver version. I was just looking through some shots I took with it. It struck me that it reminded me a great deal of my Zeiss 50/1.7 Planar T for my Yashica FX-3. The renderings look very similar to my eyes (which is a good thing).
Erik van Straten
Veteran
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
I pulled out the CV Color-Skopar 50/2.5 during a portrait session recently...
Clare | Sydney, Australia 2008
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5 | Agfapan 25 | Rodinal 1:100 Stand
Clare | Sydney, Australia 2008

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5 | Agfapan 25 | Rodinal 1:100 Stand
tyrone.s
Well-known
I pulled out the CV Color-Skopar 50/2.5 during a portrait session recently...
Clare | Sydney, Australia 2008
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Leica M5 | Voigtländer Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5 | Agfapan 25 | Rodinal 1:100 Stand
Gee, I don't know. The t-shirt came out all wrinkly ... and definite signs of micro aberrations and horizon fluctuations in the background. Sorry, just kidding lovely photo. I don't think you could ask for much more than that.
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