Thoughts on Voigtlander Lens Quality

[Jockos]

I had the 75/2.5, which was rock solid - no complaints at all.
The 35/2.5 classic, which had kind of a sloppy build/poor tolerances.
The Nokton 50/1.1, which broke down after a week. Stephen fixed it up, but then it didn't focus properly. Got a second one which was ok until I sold it a few months later.
The 21/4 M mount, to much grease on the focus and very poor black finishing.
I also had a 40/1.4 for one month, this one felt pretty solid to.

As for image quality, almost all of their fast glass exhibits focus shift, which for me is a major problem, other than that they were all good enough for their purpose.

The CV lenses do not come close in build quality to the Leica lenses (vintage) that I have used, which were much much tighter in tolerances and had a more solid feel. And from working at Canon, I feel that the CV are sloppier built than the high end Canons, which are not much more expensive in some cases.

I tried a ZM at Fotomässan, but that was to short to give a verdict for the quality.

 

[peter_n]

My very first "Leica" lens was a CV; the original 35/2.5 pancake - what a great lens that was! I understand the current M mount version is just as good. I did buy the LTM 15/4.5 but then replaced it with the M mount 15 when it was released and I agree about the build quality, there is a marked difference between the M mount and LTM versions. I never had a problem with the four CV lenses I owned though and I agree they are great value.

 

[David Murphy]

All fine lenses, particularly for what they cost.

 

[helen.HH]

Never had a Problem with any Voigtlander lens...
In terms of Build, Ergonomics, Quality
(be it the 50 1.5 Nokton, 35 Ultron, 40 Nokton or the 35 1.4 Nokton)
Or for that matter any of my Leica lenses or Zeiss

My Zeiss c Sonnar had focus shift issues but this was ironed out after a Trip to Zeiss in Germany

 

[alfredian]

Some really stunning glass from CV/CZ

Some really stunning glass from CV/CZ

I have only good things to say about Cosina's V/Z lenses. SnapShot Skopar 25/4s are stunning, optically. I even LIKE the click-set "zone focus" feature. The older screwmount 35/2.5 C-Skopars are also great otically - and handier than the 35/1.7 Ultrons.

The S-mount series has a couple of stunners - the 50/1.5 Nokton is (I think) mechanically nicer than the LTM version, and the 85/3.5 ApoLanthar is a real tack-driver.

I tend to have multiple copies of each, and all are uniformly, well, uniform. My only CZ item is a 50/2 Planar, which deserves its "scary sharp" reputation.

Other than some early-bought Summicrons (50s and Canadian 90s) and some (recent) older Nikkor glass, the bulk of my stuff, until recently, was mostly Cosina. I had an R3M and sold it to an RFFer, my R4M is a keeper (odd, but my fave lens on it is a fifty - CV 2.5 Skopar or V3 'cron. I am gentle with my gear, so "durability" is not an issue - I even focus gently!

 

[Dan]

Is there a quality difference between Cosina lenses designed for Leica and those for Nikon RF? I'd love a wide angle for my S2.

 

[denizg7]

Try the CV 35 f2.5, its a real winner IMO and also good value.

thanks for the write back. You would think the 35mm is a more standard focal length and seeing how the 40mm came out before the 35mm, would mean the 1.4 35mm would have less problems but no.


I am thinking about the Nokton 1.1 50mm, have you tried it?

 

[CameraQuest]

Is there a quality difference between Cosina lenses designed for Leica and those for Nikon RF? I'd love a wide angle for my S2.

nope.
same glass in both lines, while they were being produced

now all the NRF mount CV lenses are discontinued
but I still have them all in stock - at least for now
http://cameraquest.com/nrfVClens.htm

Thanks
Stephen

 

[Brian Legge]

I picked up a their 21mm f/4 after coming across a great local deal on it. Loved it enough that I picked up the 35mm 2.5 classic and 75mm 2.5 (which was a speculative purchase as I don't have anything in that range and figured waiting to buy in a few years would just be more expensive).

Over all I have no complaints about any of these lenses. The plastic 21mm finder seems a little flimsy - I'm paranoid I'm going to break it some time pulling it in and out of the shoe - but build of the lenses is fine and the optics live up to their reputation.

 

[seakayaker1]

The three favorite Voigtlander lens are the Ultron 28/1.9 ASPH, Nokton 50/1.5 ASPH, and the 75/2.5 Color Heliar, all LTM lens. I still have the 28/1.9 and 50/1.5 but sold the 75/2.5 and have missed it.

I also have had the 90/3.5 APO Lather but sold that as well. I subsequently picked up a Leica 75/2 Summicron and 90/2.8 Elmarit.

The other Voigtlander lens that I have is the Classic Nokton 40/1.4 SC which I bought to use with my GF1 and M8.2. It is one of those lens that I love but just does not get out of the house as often as it used to.

I have not had any problems with any of the Voigtlander lens and find there is tremendous value, you receive a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[Lflex]

Currently I own the following CVs: LTM: 12/5.6 21/4 50/1.5 M: 28/2 35/1.4SC.
Except for the 50mm they were all bought new. I have had no issues. I am very happy that they are available as I have no intension of buying Leica at the current silly prices new or used. However the Voigtlander line is only cheap when comparing with Leica. Compare Voigtlander pricing with the Made in Japan manual focus Nikkors still in production and you'll notice street price is comparable - at least here in JP.
I have 4 leica lenses 1 from the 60's, 2 from the 70's and 1 from 00's, all nice but only the one from the 60's has spectacular build quality.
Buying CV instead of Leica will probably only result in a mental difference for the average user.

 

[Shutterspark]

I've had no problems with any of my CV lenses, although I'd agree in that there's a noticeable build quality improvement in their recent offerings.

I think the horror stories out there about lenses falling apart within months etc. are sometimes taken a little out of context.
It's hard to stay silent about a lens that slipped through QC and failed on you, but it's easy to keep quiet about a lens you're happy with.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have 4 CV lenses acquired over the last 5 years and they are all beautiful in build quality and I have never had an IQ issue with any of them. I would buy another if I had a need.

 

[Frontman]

The aperture blades in my new Nokton 50/1.1 fell apart before I got through the first roll of film. First impressions are important, and I was not impressed. I won't buy another.

 

[Speedfreak]

Had the occasional stiff focusing ring with a used Ultron, otherwise not a single problem so far. The good thing about Cosina is, their "Voigtländer" lenses are glass and metal and have an almost unlimited life if serviced from time to time.

Compare that with a 2000$ "pro" zoom by any of the big players.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derek_shots/2892593285/

 

[Godfrey]

I bought nearly all my Voigtländer lenses new and recently ... Skopar 21, Ultron 28/2, Skopar 35/2.5, Nokton 40/1.4, Skopar 50/2.5,and Nokton 50/1.5. A second hand Skopar 28/3.5.

I'd put them as on par with any of my 1970s to 1990s Leica lenses with respect to build quality and even imaging qualities (although they do have a somewhat different signature...they're not 'the same thing' but just as good).

I've never needed anything better than that. 🙂 so I'm happy.

 

[semilog]

I've had a 15/4.5 LTM for several years. When threaded to an adaptor for M-mount, it doesn't quite center properly on the camera.

I'e seen the same thing with Leica threadmount lenses (including the relatively modern threadmount 35 Summicron ASPH) on Leica adaptors. It's not a problem, just a limitation of adapting a threadmount lens to a bayonet.

 

[semilog]

35/2.8 ZM, 21/4.5 ZM, 21/2.8 Biogon, 15/4.5 CV(M), and 75/2.5 CV(LTM) have all been immaculate, comparable in quality to my v. IV summicron or my 35 Summilux ASPH. Only the the aperture ring on the 35/2.8 was a bit rough, but it smoothed out with use. In general I prefer the black Cosina stuff to the silver. The black stuff has more brass, the silver more aluminum.

 

[biomed]

15/4.5 mount centering

15/4.5 mount centering

I've had a 15/4.5 LTM for several years. When threaded to an adaptor for M-mount, it doesn't quite center properly on the camera, which doesn't affect image quality, but indicates a problem with the lens or CV adaptor.

This a pretty simple to fix. There three screws that hold the thread mount to the rear of the lens. Use a quality #0 phillips screw and remove screws and lift off the lens mount and underlying shim (DO NOT REMOVE ANY OTHER SCREWS). You wil notice that there are three sets of threaded holes in the rear of the lens barrel. Remount the lens mount and shim aligning them to a different set of screw holes and tighten the screws. Which one of the three sets of screw holes you use will depend on which direction the lens barrel has to rotate to align everything squarly to the camera body. This is common with the 15mm Heliar. What makes it so noticeable is the fixed petal type hood. Even when mine was not aligned with the body I never experienced any vignetting. The slightly rotated position of the lens just bugged me. There used to be a set of photos on RFF that illustrated this procedure. I will try to locate them.

I have 7 CV LTM lenses. I purchased all new except for one slightly used one. I have had no issues at all except for having to adjust the mount on the 15/4.5. I have handled and used a few Leica lenses. The lieca lenses are very nice, but I feel that the CV lenses are an exceptional value.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I have lot of CV glass and I have never experienced a mechanical problem with any of my lenses. In terms of "build quality" I think the question will be "how many will be in service 35 or 60 years from now?" And Cosina has a tough act to follow. With Leica lenses, I think the answer is "most of them," and we can test that hypothesis by looking at the number of used lenses from the 50's that are still kicking around. Also, the Leicas are worth enough to repair, if you know what I mean.

In terms of image quality, my sense is that on the whole Cosina value engineers the lenses to a point where you are getting 90% of the quality at 10% of the price of the comparable Leica offerings. And in some cases (35/1.2 e.g. - I am sure others will have their favorites) the C/V lenses give nothing away on IQ at all. I am very glad that Cosina has entered this odd market niche. Think of all the folks who have been able to try out RF photography because Mr. Kobiyashi has indulged his passions. It is great to have options . . . and often options (e.g. for a light, inexpensive superwide like the 15/4.5) that just didn't exist before Cosina started down this path. The result? Increased fun quotient for all of us!