Voigtlander 50mm Color-Skopar

[teleparallel]

Hi there!

So, i want a 50mm. The final lens for my R4A. I'm used to CV's Color-Skopar, and choose them cause they're tiny, and good enough. So, what about the 2.5/50 LTM. Is it good? The build quality is comparable to the current M mount 2.5/35 and 4/21? Is it a good choice, optically? Any samples? I know it's quite small.

Are there other small lenses options? I know there is the summarit, which is supposed to be pretty good. But also a lot more money involved.

 

[zuikologist]

Definitely tiny and definitely good enough, though it has mixed reviews on the web. It is a higher contrast lens and a good pairing on the Bessa. It is a heavy/dense lens - really good to hold. A good J8 might be a good alternative, but different rendering and not as well built. Perhaps the later Canon 50/1.8 is a better comparison - similar size, weight, wider aperture.

 

[Flat Twin]

Its a great little lens with quite a character and quite a following. Take a look below for starters:-

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79618

Regards,

Simon

 

[Tom A]

Color Skopar 50mm f2.5. Arista 400 Premium. M2 and developed in a modified Stoeckler split developer.
The 50f2.5 is a very good, compact 50 - looks and feels disconcertingly like a version 1 Summicron 35!!! Very well built - pretty well flare proof. One of the "un-sung" heroes in the VC lens line up.

 

[back alley]

check out my flickr set for the 2.5...

 

[johannielscom]

Sold mine... Lotsa people singing about it here... Don't think I'll ever can afford one again...

Get one when you can!

 

[teleparallel]

Definitely tiny and definitely good enough, though it has mixed reviews on the web. It is a higher contrast lens and a good pairing on the Bessa. It is a heavy/dense lens - really good to hold. A good J8 might be a good alternative, but different rendering and not as well built. Perhaps the later Canon 50/1.8 is a better comparison - similar size, weight, wider aperture.

The canon is small? Will it have a focusing TAB? I Like It. The shots from the Skopar seem pretty nice.
I'm officially in search for the Skopar.(and hope for a nice price)

 

[Godfrey]

So, i want a 50mm. The final lens for my R4A. I'm used to CV's Color-Skopar, and choose them cause they're tiny, and good enough. So, what about the 2.5/50 LTM. Is it good? The build quality is comparable to the current M mount 2.5/35 and 4/21? Is it a good choice, optically? Any samples? I know it's quite small.

I like the Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 quite a lot. It's a compact, dense, very nicely made lens. It has lovely rendering qualities. Just a few snaps:

​

I've used it on the M4-2, M9, and GXR quite a lot. A great lens at a very reasonable price.

I like all the modern Voigtländer Skopars, actually. I have the 21, 28, 35 and 50 ... all of them do a terrific job for very reasonable money. Their rendering reminds me of a slightly modernized Leitz Elmar.

Godfrey

 

[Rogrund]

Great pictures, Godfrey!

Here's a few snap-shots just to compare the size of the CV 50/2.5 and the Canon 50/1.8.

 

[teleparallel]

Wow,


Super helpful! I see they're very close in size. One thing, is that the Skopar has the (small) hood on, right?

Thank you all! I guess I can't go wrong.

 

[funkydog]

You can't go wrong with this lens. If you can find one.

CV 50/2.5 on Ricoh GXR

R0013965_Spain_ACR on Flickr

 

[back alley]

cameraquest has some left at 649...

 

[gdi]

cameraquest has some left at 649...

Sheesh...

Luckily I bought new from BH this time last year - they were selling it at retail - $289.

 

[Godfrey]

cameraquest has some left at 649...

Yes, prices have definitely risen. I bought mine a year ago (summer 2011) for about $430 (plus the LTM->M adapter) ...

G

 

[maitani]

tried to sell my black copy twice here, and had no takers at lowest 419.-$ mint in box, now with the M9, it's a revelation and I'm glad I kept it as my supersmall 50, when I don't feel I need the extra stops of the summilux.

less than half the size of a summilux, same black paint finish as the black M9, with the same red enamel scale engraving, no corner falloff, ( not even on the 'picky' M9!) great modern rendering, nor too 'sonnar' nor too 'aspherical' either, somewhere in between, with beautiful perfectly round rings in the highlights, keeper

 

[Flat Twin]

I really like mine, its a perfect size and weight when I decide that a Summilux is just tooooo heavy... I found the results a little odd to start with but I'm glad that I stayed with it as I really like its rendering qualities now...


Stonehenge, England. August 2012 by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[Flat Twin]

Another...


Somerset levels, England. July 2012 by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[Bingley]

Ignore the negative reviews of this lens on the web. It's a first rate performer, and its small size and sturdy build are plusses. Take a look at the images here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79436

 

[funkydog]

HU: Currently $398 BIN 3 day sale, usual $428 by Matsuiyastore here
The usual disclaimers.. no relation to the seller, caveat emptor, etc.

 

[peppard]

HU: Currently $398 BIN 3 day sale, usual $428 by Matsuiyastore

here
The usual disclaimers.. no relation to the seller, caveat emptor, etc.

Thank you for the headsup Funkydog! The lens will be in my hand in few days...I can hardly wait.

Giorgio/Peppard