NEW Voigtlander SLII 40/2 & 58/1.4

CameraQuest

Head Bartender
Staff member
Local time
12:40 AM
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
6,670
Location
over the hills from Malibu
Mr. K has just announced his new Voigtlander SLII series 40/2 and 58/1.4 for Nikon and Pentax SLRs.
http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/v-lens/sl2/40sl2/index.html
http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/v-lens/sl2/58sl2/index.html
http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/v-lens/sl2/index.html

These are new versions of the previous Voigtlander SL 40/2 and the limited edition Cosina made Topcor 58/1.4 of a few years ago (produced in chrome for Nikon AIS or Pentax M42 mount). The superbly performing Cosina made Topcor 58/1.4 is popular and very sought after in Japan. Unfortunately it sold out too quickly for most other markets to be very aware of the lens. and See previous versions here http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt SL.htm

Although the new SLII lenses have the same glass as the previous versions, there are very important differences:

1) both are chipped for full metering capacity with digital SLR lenses. This is a first for Voigtlander Nikon mount lenses. While covering the full frame 35mm format, they are also ideal fast lenses for Nikon digital SLRs. With Nikon discontinuing most of their manual focus single focal length lenses, Mr. K once again offers lenses not available elsewhere.

2) Both new lenses are available in black only. The new version 40 now includes the interesting dome lens hood (previously sold separately) and a close up lens. the 58's lens hood is sold separately (previously included)

3) SLII lenses are so far announced only in Nikon AIS (with metering matrix chip) and Pentax KA mounts. Voigtlander did produce the now discontinued 125/2.5 in manual focus Canon EOS and Minolta AF mounts, with the needed metering chips. Unfortunately neither sold well, so it remains to be seen if Mr. K will make more lenses in those mounts.

4) The Cosina factory will start shipping mid November for the 40, mid December for the 58. Nikon mounts will be produced first.

5) Despite some speculation on RFF, the Voigtlander lens designs and Zeiss lens designs have nothing in common. Both product lines are the results of different design teams.

6) USA price initially has been set at $379 for either the 40 or 58, $39 more for the 58 lens hood.

7) CameraQuest is now accepting orders for the new SL II 40/2 and 58/1.4

feel free to post this info in other forums if you like.

New page up at http://cameraquest.com/Voigt_SL2.htm

Stephen
 
As I've stated elsewhere, the 40mm would seem to be a natural fit for Nikon D40x owners. Since that body requires chipped lenses to meter and AFS lenses to autofocus, users are pretty much locked out of prime lenses, unless one wants to tolerate the sloppy manual focussing afforded by the screw-driver AF Nikkors.
 
Hmm, I can't see "the Nikon rabbit ears" or a meter coupling shoe on the lens... So, they are not going to work fully with my Nikon F Photomic FTn? They will operate only with stop down metering with my old workhorse, or I can use a separate external meter. 🙂
 
jsuominen said:
Hmm, I can't see "the Nikon rabbit ears" or a meter coupling shoe on the lens... So, they are not going to work fully with my Nikon F Photomic FTn? They will operate only with stop down metering with my old workhorse, or I can use a separate external meter. 🙂

correct.
the SL II series do not have the metering prong like the Series I did.

Stephen
 
fortunately, these lenses will work on my FE2, and i think the 40II will be amazingly CUTE on it haha.

the 58/1.4.... that will be fun on the 5D... 🙂
 
jsuominen said:
And fortunately I have also F3 and F4. My F4 has even Type K manual focus screen...
Check out a P screen, if they make them for the F4. It's God's own focusing, IMHO.
 
I picked up the new 40/2 SLII yesterday in Seoul from the first dealer in South Korea to have it in stock.... it is GREAT! Adorable on the FE2, feels fantastic- didn't realize the focus ring is basically a rubberband haha.
 
i'll have pics up soon, probably tomorrow night (korean time).

The closeup filter is a joy. It comes with at tiny lenscap to put on w/ the hood attached, so w/o a hood, just put a generic nikon 52mm cap on 🙂

oh- one more thing: this lens has some of the most ROUND aperture blades (stopping down) i've ever seen on a SLR lens. It is amazing, and should produce killer images slightly stopped down.
 
Stephen sent me one of the new 40f2 SL to try out. I did haul out one of my F;s and did run a film through it. Looks REALLY good!
The close up diopter and the lenshood is one of those design features that you think "Why did not anyone think about this before?"
I did put a handful of shots up on Flickr this morning. Most are just snapshots, but I did try the close up lens on my Nikon S4 with a 50f1.4 on it. Looks sharp and a bit high in contrast, but that is partly due to the film/dev. combination.
I will let this lens loose among my DSLR shooting friends (D200/D300 etc and let them give their opinion. Once they are through, it goes back on one of my F's.
Hmm. that F body with the 40mm and the close up lens is like having a wide angle and a Macro in one kit, without having to drag two lenses along.
 
let me just say, after a bit of shooting with the 40, that it is GREAT on my FE2.

I fully plan on checking out and probably buying the 58 as soon as i can convince my wife we need it.
 
Another feature that is neat with the Ultron is that the hood and close-up lens that screws into it can be used on Nikkors with 52mm thread! I have so far tried it with a 28f3.5!, a 50f1.4 (works very well with this), a 105f2.5 and a 200f4 Macro. Once the water clears up here in Vancouver (mudslides in the reservoirs) and I can get my film "souped" I will post some on flickr.
 
i may have missed something but having had a quick look around tonight i don't see the 58 in M mount or anything native to Bessa cameras. is this an anomolie? 58 seems a great focal length.
 
Well, with RF cameras we are set to our framelines. Not that we can't stray from them, but no, the 58mm lens is for SLRs only.
 
Back
Top Bottom