P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
After my experience with the CV Nokton 50/1.1... I am keeping my excitement in check and being very realistic about the newly released Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8. I have no real expectations as this is the first time I have ventured into 75mm territory on any photographic platform.
One of the primary reasons that I never bought a 75mm is because my M5 does not have 75mm frame-lines and the only 75mm that I had really looked at twice was the Summilux 75, simply because it is a big-aperture lens.
So I now have the Voigtländer Heliar 75mm f1.8 and my M5 still does not have 75mm frame-lines, so I decided that it was time to press the Bessa T into service with one of the Voigtländer's beautiful metal bright-line finders...
Bessa T | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Voigtländer 75mm Finder
Not sure you can get a more complete Cosina set-up, even the strap is Voigtländer branded!
I will be using the CV Heliar 75/1.8(as shall be known from now on) extensively over the next few weeks. And I will be posting my thoughts and images into this thread.
So after having the lens in hand for two days, what are my initial impressions...
Well... I really like the 75mm view-point and that is a good start. I found the Bessa T and the 75/1.8 to be a splendid combination to use. I have also been using the 75/1.8 on the M5 as well along with a little guessing about where the 75mm frame-line should be.
The first negatives will be on the light-box tomorrow, both B&W and colour. So time will tell how this lens fits into my working system.
And yes, I do have a few pet peeves already... yep... you guessed... why in the world did Cosina stop focusing at 0.9m... Argghhhh... and the lens hood works better on the CV Nokton 50/1.5 than the 75/1.8... so far I have found the hood to be more of an annoyance than anything else.
Warned you there was not going to be any hype from me about this lens...
One of the primary reasons that I never bought a 75mm is because my M5 does not have 75mm frame-lines and the only 75mm that I had really looked at twice was the Summilux 75, simply because it is a big-aperture lens.
So I now have the Voigtländer Heliar 75mm f1.8 and my M5 still does not have 75mm frame-lines, so I decided that it was time to press the Bessa T into service with one of the Voigtländer's beautiful metal bright-line finders...

Bessa T | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Voigtländer 75mm Finder
Not sure you can get a more complete Cosina set-up, even the strap is Voigtländer branded!
I will be using the CV Heliar 75/1.8(as shall be known from now on) extensively over the next few weeks. And I will be posting my thoughts and images into this thread.
So after having the lens in hand for two days, what are my initial impressions...
Well... I really like the 75mm view-point and that is a good start. I found the Bessa T and the 75/1.8 to be a splendid combination to use. I have also been using the 75/1.8 on the M5 as well along with a little guessing about where the 75mm frame-line should be.
The first negatives will be on the light-box tomorrow, both B&W and colour. So time will tell how this lens fits into my working system.
And yes, I do have a few pet peeves already... yep... you guessed... why in the world did Cosina stop focusing at 0.9m... Argghhhh... and the lens hood works better on the CV Nokton 50/1.5 than the 75/1.8... so far I have found the hood to be more of an annoyance than anything else.
Warned you there was not going to be any hype from me about this lens...
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> why in the world did Cosina stop focusing at 0.9m... Argghhhh
So when are you taking it apart?
3ft with the 75 is more like 2ft with a 50. The Nikon F-Mount 85/2 stops at about the same distance, I do not think it gets closer than 3ft, 3.5ft maybe?. I will look when i get home. But... My Micro-Nikkor 105/2.8 does get close.
So when are you taking it apart?
3ft with the 75 is more like 2ft with a 50. The Nikon F-Mount 85/2 stops at about the same distance, I do not think it gets closer than 3ft, 3.5ft maybe?. I will look when i get home. But... My Micro-Nikkor 105/2.8 does get close.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Brian,
This lens is not coming apart for awhile. I want to spend some time using it and deciding if it really is a lens that makes a difference in my photography. Plus I need to finish the mod for the Nokton 50/1.1 before tackling another lens. And as you would know, modifying a 75mm will never be as easy as a 50mm.
This lens is not coming apart for awhile. I want to spend some time using it and deciding if it really is a lens that makes a difference in my photography. Plus I need to finish the mod for the Nokton 50/1.1 before tackling another lens. And as you would know, modifying a 75mm will never be as easy as a 50mm.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Looks GREAT...Beautiful Set up there...tres Sexy
I very much like the 75 POV...and the 2.5 heliar is FANTASTIC
I eagerly await your 1.8 Journey..
I very much like the 75 POV...and the 2.5 heliar is FANTASTIC
I eagerly await your 1.8 Journey..
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P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Helen,
Thanks! I have really fallen for the 75mm POV... so much so that I am thinking of getting a CV 75/2.5 for my Bessa R2... or speaking of modifying... how about a 75/1.8 LTM... now that would be useful... or not.
75mm... just abit longer than 50mm... but not as long as 85/90mm... won't replace my 50mm's, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing the results of a couple of upcoming portrait sittings.
Thanks! I have really fallen for the 75mm POV... so much so that I am thinking of getting a CV 75/2.5 for my Bessa R2... or speaking of modifying... how about a 75/1.8 LTM... now that would be useful... or not.
75mm... just abit longer than 50mm... but not as long as 85/90mm... won't replace my 50mm's, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing the results of a couple of upcoming portrait sittings.
Krosya
Konicaze
Its a good looking lens. I do wonder why Cosina didnt make a "slide-out" hood. One it comes with looks a bit odd on this lens. Will be awaiting your results with it!
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
For me 50's are my FAV's....most of the Time
75 & 21 20% of the Time

75 & 21 20% of the Time
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
For me 50's are my FAV's....most of the Time
75 & 21 20% of the Time
![]()
and the other 10%?
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
and the other 10%?![]()
Ooops...lets change the Ratio
give the 10% to rhe 75
10% rto the 21
80% to the 50's
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Its a good looking lens. I do wonder why Cosina didnt make a "slide-out" hood. One it comes with looks a bit odd on this lens. Will be awaiting your results with it!
Cosina seems to be all over the shop with lens hood design...

Nokton 35mm f1.2 | Nokton 50mm f1.1 | Heliar 75mm f1.8 | Nokton 50mm f1.5
The 35/1.2 has a clamp-on hood... both Nokton 50's have screw-on unvented hoods... and 75/1.8 has vented screw-on/clamp-on hood... go figure.
Cosina does offer vented hoods for the 35/1.2 - LH-3, which also fits the Nokton 50/1.5 and then there is the LH-7 for the Nokton 50/1.1. I think instead of offering a basic hood for the 75/1.8, they included the LH-3 or derivative with it. Where as you have to buy the vented hoods as an accessory for the other lenses.
I agree I would have liked to seen a simple screw-in hood or a sliding hood, like the Summicron 75.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
I see the use of the 75 as essentially a long 50, as such I find the close focussing of the 75 Summicron essential.
I have hit that limit already... although only when using the M5... the Bessa T only couples down to 0.9m... I will see at some point if the 75/1.8 can be modified to focus to 0.7m.
Good luck with the Heliar, I look forward to some images. If you do any faces, wide open and close-up, please share. I think facial rendering wide open will be the primary consideration of this lens for many.
My first roll of B&W will have some candid portraits taken at maximum aperture. To be honest, I am abit suspicious of the 'soft focus' hype... I would prefer a sharp lens.... we shall see.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Here is the very first scan from the CV Heliar 75/1.8...
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
This is straight off the scanner... only resized and sized as a .jpeg file. I am very impressed with the negatives, very sharp with moderate contrast.
Of course, someone is going to say that the image is out of focus and etc... well... actually... I was shooting at 1/8sec at f1.8 and he was not holding still at all. I still think this is a great start for the Heliar 75/1.8.

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
This is straight off the scanner... only resized and sized as a .jpeg file. I am very impressed with the negatives, very sharp with moderate contrast.
Of course, someone is going to say that the image is out of focus and etc... well... actually... I was shooting at 1/8sec at f1.8 and he was not holding still at all. I still think this is a great start for the Heliar 75/1.8.
Krosya
Konicaze
/Well, lucky owners of this new Voigtlander 75/1.8 lens - hopeto see more pics from ya all.
Wonder how it compares to CV 75/2.5, in case if anyone has both?
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Another image from the 75/1.8...
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
More to follow...
And I just acquired a 75/2.5 to compare with the 75/1.8.

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
More to follow...
And I just acquired a 75/2.5 to compare with the 75/1.8.
keeds
Established
I'm very happy with mine, just arrived today...

P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Finally catching up on the scanning... will let the pictures do the talking.
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
All photos were taken at maximum aperture... f1.8... shutter speeds varied from 1/8sec to 1/30sec.
The 75mm has definitely made is presence known in my photography. Simply a magnificent portrait lens.

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50

Leica M5 | Voigtländer Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 | Efke KB25 | Rodinal 1:50
All photos were taken at maximum aperture... f1.8... shutter speeds varied from 1/8sec to 1/30sec.
The 75mm has definitely made is presence known in my photography. Simply a magnificent portrait lens.
Those look great! Nailed the focus.
"The Eyes Have It".
"The Eyes Have It".
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Thanks, Brian.
I now want an M5 with a dedicated 75mm frame-line... it could be permanent for all I care! I just picked-up a Bessa R3M, which is perfect for the 75mm... 1.1 finder and dedicated 75mm frame-line.
I now want an M5 with a dedicated 75mm frame-line... it could be permanent for all I care! I just picked-up a Bessa R3M, which is perfect for the 75mm... 1.1 finder and dedicated 75mm frame-line.
Juan Valdenebro
Truth is beauty
A great portraiture lens with very nice bokeh, it seems...
Cheers,
Juan
Cheers,
Juan
Youxin Ye, or someone else, could probably swap out the frameline mask in the M5 for you. I would check on it.
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