SimonPJ
Well-known
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3 on Minolta X-1
Fuji Superior 400, f2.3 @ 1/125
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3 on Minolta X-1
Fuji Superior 400, f2.3 @ 1/125
soultheworld
Established
M9 // Summilux 75 1.4
SimonPJ
Well-known
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3 on Minolta X-1
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3 on Minolta X-1
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3 on Minolta X-1
A beautifully built lens which works very nicely through the X-1's very bright and clear viewfinder.
(Taken by M9 and 35 Lux Asph)
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3 on Minolta X-1
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3 on Minolta X-1
A beautifully built lens which works very nicely through the X-1's very bright and clear viewfinder.
(Taken by M9 and 35 Lux Asph)
Denton
Established
CV best bet
CV best bet
The CV f2.5 and f1.8 lenses are very similar at f2.8; I own them both. The size difference is significant. The f2.5 lens is really small, the f1.8 is rather heavy.Bokeh for both is diffuse without the double line images or swirls common to some lenses. The f1.8 lens can really isolate the background and this makes a really nice portrait lens, but heavy for a rangefinder
I've shot most of a wedding with the f1.8 lens where a 50mm just could not reach during the ceremony. Clients were very happy but I was quite impressed with the performance too. However, the f2.5 probably would have been equivalent since I don't think I used wide open as it was an outdoor ceremony.
Denton
CV best bet
The CV f2.5 and f1.8 lenses are very similar at f2.8; I own them both. The size difference is significant. The f2.5 lens is really small, the f1.8 is rather heavy.Bokeh for both is diffuse without the double line images or swirls common to some lenses. The f1.8 lens can really isolate the background and this makes a really nice portrait lens, but heavy for a rangefinder
I've shot most of a wedding with the f1.8 lens where a 50mm just could not reach during the ceremony. Clients were very happy but I was quite impressed with the performance too. However, the f2.5 probably would have been equivalent since I don't think I used wide open as it was an outdoor ceremony.
Denton
The 75mm Heliars are mentioned favorably by several here; I have both and like them too. Here are some comments about the optics...
f/1.8 75mm... Is it a Heliar optically as well as by name? The only Voigtlander Heliars with a true 5/3 Heliar block diagram are the two 50mm Heliars. But this one is close, differing only in having the center negative group made up of a cemented pair instead of a single element. A Heliar in spirit, then, and interestingly almost identical to the old 73mm f/1.9 Hektor, even close to the actual focal length and aperture. Heliar's specs say 33.2° angle of view which calculates to 72.6mm...
f/2.5 75mm... Optical arrangement looks like a regular 6/4 Planar pattern, nothing there to criticize. Sean Reid's review of this lens on the Leica M9 shows some corner illumination fall-off at f/2.8 and wider, essentially gone by f/4, and very slightly cyan in the outer zones. Advises turning off Lens Detection, as otherwise the camera tends to overcorrect both issues. There is no focus shift, and the sharpness center and corners equals the f/2 Summicron at all stops (not tested beyond f/8). Moderate blue/purple fringing in strong backlight wide open, almost gone by f/5.6, lower flare than the 'Cron or Summarit. Just a tiny bit of pincushion distortion. Tends toward doubling in far-bokeh, a bit moreso than the 'Cron. Very impressive, and he calls it a standout performer in the CV line.
f/1.8 75mm... Is it a Heliar optically as well as by name? The only Voigtlander Heliars with a true 5/3 Heliar block diagram are the two 50mm Heliars. But this one is close, differing only in having the center negative group made up of a cemented pair instead of a single element. A Heliar in spirit, then, and interestingly almost identical to the old 73mm f/1.9 Hektor, even close to the actual focal length and aperture. Heliar's specs say 33.2° angle of view which calculates to 72.6mm...
f/2.5 75mm... Optical arrangement looks like a regular 6/4 Planar pattern, nothing there to criticize. Sean Reid's review of this lens on the Leica M9 shows some corner illumination fall-off at f/2.8 and wider, essentially gone by f/4, and very slightly cyan in the outer zones. Advises turning off Lens Detection, as otherwise the camera tends to overcorrect both issues. There is no focus shift, and the sharpness center and corners equals the f/2 Summicron at all stops (not tested beyond f/8). Moderate blue/purple fringing in strong backlight wide open, almost gone by f/5.6, lower flare than the 'Cron or Summarit. Just a tiny bit of pincushion distortion. Tends toward doubling in far-bokeh, a bit moreso than the 'Cron. Very impressive, and he calls it a standout performer in the CV line.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
uhoh7
Veteran
seakayaker1
Well-known
M9 ~ 75/2
seakayaker1
Well-known
M9 ~ 75/2
John E Earley
Tuol Sleng S21-0174
Voigtlander Heliar 75/2.5 on an a6000
