New MF lens: Cosina SLII 90 F/3.5 APO LANTHAR (CAN/NIK/PEN)

[italy74]

Just for info, just spotted !

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10021701cosinaapolanther90mmslii.asp

 

[f16sunshine]

I have an M42 version of this lens. It's pretty damn stellar when you need just plain straight up sharp and accurate performance. Get a good hood if you take one.

 

[hans voralberg]

Im impressed with the close focus capability, any other lens is capable of 0.5m min focus in this focal length?

 

[fleetwoodjazz]

Tamron is capable of going to 0.29m if I remember correctly 🙂

 

[kshapero]

Cameraquest where art thou?

 

[solar_sea]

6 elements in 4 groups, put together in a small and neat package covering 36x24.

However, aside from portability and/or being collectible, I don't really see the point of it.

It's neither 1:1, nor very fast. It would be a good lens for a walk during the day, but so is almost any other.

edit/add:

All the other lenses from SL-II line have very clear and distinguished places and ideas. A normal pancake, a wide pancake, a normal/short telephoto fast lens.

However this one doesn't really seem to be well suited against any particular task or shooting style.

 

[Abbazz]

I don't really see the point of it.

:bang::bang::bang:

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[rxmd]

Im impressed with the close focus capability, any other lens is capable of 0.5m min focus in this focal length?

Er, like, a lot of them?

90mm lenses were one of the areas where third party lenses really shine. You can get a Tamron SP 90/2.5 (Adaptall, so it's for practically any camera mount) that goes down to 40cm or so (1:2) and is nicely compact. Or a Vivitar 90/f2.5 Series 1 (1:2, "Bokina") that is somewhat legendary. Or another 90/f2.5 lens that goes down to 1:1 (25-or-so cm) that is available from a number of manufacturers and and enjoys a good reputation, too (I have it branded "Elicar" for Canon FD).

I think the main advantage of the Cosina is that it's small and that it's coupled to the camera electronics if your camera forces you to do that. Otherwise, it's a lens in a sector pretty crowded by excellent lenses from all sorts of manufacturers.

 

[Abbazz]

I think the main advantage of the Cosina is that it's small and that it's coupled to the camera electronics if your camera forces you to do that. Otherwise, it's a lens in a sector pretty crowded by excellent lenses from all sorts of manufacturers.

The main advantage of the Cosina Voigtländer lens is that it's an apochromatic lens. It means it's corrected for chromatic aberrations, even longitudinal chromatic aberration. Try to shoot this with a Tamron or or Tokineh-bokina, and you will get a rainbow of colors:

Picture Credit: Michiro

Picture Credit: Vilhelm Sjostrom

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[f16sunshine]

Thank you Abbazz.
The apo performance of this lens is absolutely the point of it. Where else will you get that for $600?
f3.5 seems slow but in use it's fine. Only 1/2stop slower than 2.8 which is expected at this FL. I'll put some samples from the 5DII later using this lens.

 

[FA Limited]

Where else will you get that for $600?

you can find the SLI used instead 😀
compare the prices of
http://web.archive.org/web/20060216045547/http://cameraquest.com/Voigt+SL.htm to
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10021701cosinaapolanther90mmslii.asp

the all-star of the SLI series was the 125mm macro. it would be cool if they released that lens again. right now the current SLII system looks interesting to collect as an entire set!

 

[Abbazz]

you can find the SLI used instead 😀

There are a few Apo Lanthar 90/3.5 SLI left for sale on Cameraquest for about twice the price they sold when they were released. Do the Apo Lanthar lenses have reached the status of Veblen goods?

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[CameraQuest]

I'm taking $100 refundable Paypal deposits to Stephen@CameraQuest.com.

No price yet set, estimated delivery late March.

Close up lens included.

Thanks
Stephen