VC 75mm F/2.5 review and images!!!

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AncientCityPhoto

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My 75mm Color Heliar Review

So I finally got this review up. I have been spending a lot of time with this lens since the fall. I have completed a huge project with this lens exclusively. An ebook of the work is coming too. I have completely fallen for this lens in a major way!

For me personally, I would choose this lens over the new Heliar every time. The rendering on the Color Heliar is so unique! I would love to spend time with a 75mm summicron and see how it really compares in the long run. Any opinions on this lens versus the Summicron 75?


i-CFFNLsK-L.jpg
 
Nice review. I've recently picked up a copy of this lens, but i haven't had much time to work with it; looks like a keeper, though.
 
Wonderful image, very good, nicely written review. I picked up a copy of this lens secondhand a little while ago, but haven't had a lot of time to really get to use it.
 
Great Portrait!

I like this lens a lot but alas... mine is in the classified right now for sale. I seldom use longer than 50mm on an RF.
 
I saw yours! I almost sent a message to buy a second copy for myself! I am in disbelief that the price these lenses sell for is so low. I've shot regularly with Canon's best, 135L, 85 1.2, 70-200 F4, (and both old and new 2.8s), 100 Macro, 200 1.8, 300 2.8, etc... and nothing has given me the look this lens does without sacrificing quality in any way. It is remarkable. If this lens was $2,000 I would probably not be so surprised at my findings. At below $300 though, there just isn't anything like it!

On the M8 it is just perfect view as well. I am really curious to spend some time with this on an M9 and see if it's too wide for me, or if the outer rendering feels any different.
 
AncientCityPhoto said:
I saw yours! I almost sent a message to buy a second copy for myself! I am in disbelief that the price these lenses sell for is so low. I've shot regularly with Canon's best, 135L, 85 1.2, 70-200 F4, (and both old and new 2.8s), 100 Macro, 200 1.8, 300 2.8, etc... and nothing has given me the look this lens does without sacrificing quality in any way. It is remarkable. If this lens was $2,000 I would probably not be so surprised at my findings. At below $300 though, there just isn't anything like it!

On the M8 it is just perfect view as well. I am really curious to spend some time with this on an M9 and see if it's too wide for me, or if the outer rendering feels any different.
Click to expand...

It is a surprising Bargain. I tried it next to the Leica Summarit 75mm. The Leica is slightly better into the corners at wide open. Hard to notice though. Both have very nice transition and color are neutral. You should try the Apo Lanthar 90mm if you love the 75. Another astonishing CV Value. True Apo-chromatic Performance at sub $300 previously owned prices when you can find one.
 
Love mine as well on my M8, makes a great kit with the 2.5/35PII and 4/21 from the same lens maker (28/50/100 equiv.).
 
Great review, i have bookmarked it for further examination and reference.
I have this lens also, but only shot one roll with it months ago.
Your article reminds me that all those shots were very sharp and have excellent colour.
I use it with the Bessa-T, its RF preciseness is fabulous, and is the perfect body for the Color Heliar.
Well, I think I give my CV 75 2.5 a spin tomorrow !
 
You all have copies - i have the real thing. Why buy a copy when you can get the real thing for such a bargain?
 
Nice review.

I don't understand though why you say it "deserves" an M-mount. What's wrong with the LTM-mount and adapter ? It gives you more options without any disadvantages I can see ..

Stefan.
 
That is correct, I mean't it deserves an M-mount in respect to Voigtlander releasing most of their LTM lenses in M-mount versions. The LTM lenses are being discontinued. The 75 2.5 is discontinued as well and has so far not been replaced. It would be nice to see them continue to sell this lens.

As for lens kit, I use the 21/4, 35PII with the 75 2.5 as well. I have found that combo to be a fantastic setup with a Gitzo traveller tripod when on the go. All three lenses combined cost me less than $1,000.

As for soft corners...I am not as demanding on a portrait lens about a little softness wide open in the corners, especially when we are talking wider than f/4. As long as my center is sharp. When it comes to wide angles I am much more picky.
 
I bought one of these lenses from fellow RFFer Helen Hill a few months ago, and I love it. It is very sharp, even wide open. I used it at f5.6 for this portrait:

mack_2-6-11_2.jpg



Can't remember the aperture for this one, probably also f5.6:
mack_2-6-11_1.jpg


A real bargain priced lens for what you get. The Leica 75 cannot be much better, and certainly cannot be worth the prices they charge.
 
I've had this lens for a few years now and I still love it a lot. Great value for the money...

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great review!
I didn't use this focal lenght much so I sold this lens after some months of sitting on the shelf
 
I have this lens and use it very seldom, I'm more wide angle photographer. But these images are so good that for sure will push me to use it more and more! Thanks
robert
 
Photozone actually reviewed a bunch of M mount lenses on the their Nex series.

They show quite interesting results. I wonder if the AA filter in those cameras is altering their findings. (or maybe even the adapter changing the distance) I just don't feel their results are quite as consistent amongst their lenses with what I find on the M8. This is in contrast to their reviews being pretty much on the money with SLR lenses on SLR bodies. Then again, they play the numbers game more than the rendering.

Its funny to see those lenses mounted on such a small camera. Here I am thinking the M8 with any lens slower than f/2 is tiny!
 
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