Quality of older vs newer voigtlander lenses

[ajvin]

I just purchased a used voigtlander 25mm F4 lens probably one of the older ones that came out I think in 2005 or so....I recently priced some newer versions that say Cosina on the back and wondered if there was any difference in quality. I am thinking of purchasing another Voigtlander for my leica m6.
Thx

 

[jsrockit]

Are we talking build quality or optical quality?

 

[Michalm]

Apparently optical formula of 21 25 and 35 lenses is the same in both versions of these lenses but new versions have better build quality.

 

[jsrockit]

but new versions have better build quality.

I'm not so sure about that.

 

[ajvin]

Im referring mostly to build quality....it appears that my older version ( circa 2005 ) is more solid than the brand new version I handled. Maybe just an impression...

 

[jsrockit]

I believe the older lens were made out of brass and the new ones are not. I've found the older versions to be more solid due to this, but the new ones aren't bad either. Optically they are all the same as far as I know.

 

[CameraQuest]

I believe the older lens were made out of brass and the new ones are not. I've found the older versions to be more solid due to this, but the new ones aren't bad either. Optically they are all the same as far as I know.

all of the Cosina Voigtlander Leica mount lenses -
screw mount or M mount
have the same brass construction on the helicals

Comparing say the screw mount 35/2.5 with the M mount 35/2.5
same glass
same type focusing helicals
the focusing tab is plastic on the M mount
otherwise, everything else is metal as was the screw mount.

Stephen

 

[jsrockit]

Well, I can't argue with the man who sells this stuff. 🙂

 

[Bingley]

The CV Skopar 28/3.5 and CV Skopar 50/2.5 seem to me to be noticeably heavier than the CV Skopar 35/2.5 LTM or the CV Snapshot Skopar 25/4.0.

 

[Range-rover]

I have the older version, and it's terrific!

Range

 

[Harry Lime]

If anything I think Cosina learned a lot about QC from producing lenses for Zeiss.

 

[Range-rover]

I think your right, When I was at Photoplus Expo in New York, I went checking out
a few Zeiss lenses they were built Real nice.


Range

 

[Godfrey]

The CV Skopar 28/3.5 and CV Skopar 50/2.5 seem to me to be noticeably heavier than the CV Skopar 35/2.5 LTM or the CV Snapshot Skopar 25/4.0.

Comparing the weight of four entirely different lenses doesn't mean much. lens design, size of the helicals, amount of glass, etc, all vary considerably in those four lenses.

I have Color Skopar 21 (M), 28 (LTM), 35 (M), 50 (LTM) mm, Nokton 40/1.4 (M) and 50/1.5 (M), and Ultron 28/2 (M) lenses. IMO, they are beautifully made ... all metal and very smooth focusing and aperture action. I compare them to my older Leica lenses: the difference is insignificant in terms of materials and build.