Voigtlander and B&W, Spectacular?

[sper]

I don't wanna sound like one of those guys that says the older glass is way better for B&W but has anyone else experienced a feeling that the Voigtlander lenses just do particularly well with films like Tri-X and FP4? In black and white in general? It seems like they're low contrast when they need to be, contrasty sharp when you stop them down. With my Hasselblad even switching between black and white and color it was great with both but with the V'lander lenses it seems like they knock silver out of the park! For color I really do prefer the Zeiss lenses (none of which do I own). I just wondered if this was my opinion alone or has anyone else experienced this?

 

[bgb]

Which Voigtlander lenses are you referring to exactly? Ones on the old Bessa 1 & 2 or some of the 35mm cameras ...
If it's a Bessa 1 then great as mine has just has a CLA and needs to be used 😀

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Voigtländer lenses and cameras are wonderful. Their line is a blessing... Lots of great photographers enjoy their products considering them as good as their Nikon, Leica and Zeiss gear... I wish CV the best!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Krzys]

I disagree. Too much contrast for my liking. I'm happy to shoot with one at box speed but with pushed film the results are not so fun.

 

[jsrockit]

I like them as well. I think I prefer a modern look though.

 

[sper]

I am using the 21mm f4, the 50mm 1.5, and the 28mm f2.0. Two of them I consider fantastic and one I consider very good (the 28mm being very good). However every time I run a roll of Tri-X through my R4a I am thrilled with the tonal scale I get without even really trying! I love the contrasty bite of the 21mm, and the smoothness of the 28 and 50mm. Here is one with the 35mm Color-Skopar that I eventually sold to finance the R4a.

 

[Renzsu]

The 35mm f/1.2 nokton and tri-x is just lovely. 🙂

 

[patois]

I really think that my CV Heliar Classic 50 is wonderful in b/w. I use it a lot with HP5+ and Fomapan 400. It also looks great with Fuji Astia.

 

[ferider]

I like my CV lenses .... But generally, when something is wrong with the contrast it's usually a mistake I did when exposing. So if the CV lenses on the Bessa work for you, I recommend to "blame" the camera 🙂 Something with the Bessa must suit your style ....

Even though the internet is full of high contrast this, low contrast that, in my experience, most modern lenses are only minimally different wrt B&W contrast.

Just my 2 cents,

Roland.