voigtlander 25mm skopar - "color skopar " vs "snapshot skopar" - differences?

[yelofngr]

voigtlander 25mm skopar - "color skopar " vs "snapshot skopar" - differences?

i posted this in the new version of the site, but it isnt here now, so i apologize if this is happening for the second time.

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i am curious about hearing user experiences for the voigtlander 25mm skopar.

what are the differences between the new "color skopar" m-mount version and the older LTM screw mount "snapshot skopar" version?

does the newer rangefinder-coupled "color skopar" version also have the focus half stops for quick shooting?

also, at this focus length, is the new range-coupled version really necessary?

what do you guys think?

 

[Bob Michaels]

I cannot tell you about the new M-mount RF coupled 25mm one as I only have the older LTM version. But I love it enough to see no reason to change.

Optically, it is better than 99.99% of us are photographers.

And, I have never missed the RF coupling because I find zone focusing with the click stops at 1M 1.5M and 3M to be perfectly adequate. If you can drive a car or walk down steps, you can also determine distance enough to zone focus a 25mm f4 lens.

BTW, when the older Snapshot Skopar was still available at Camera Quest, Stephen Gandy said something to the effect that it was a ridiculously cheap price for a lens that good. I am glad I believed him and bought one.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I have both versions. Not sure if I'll only keep one long term.
In answer to your specific question, no, the M mount version does not have the 'click' stop focus arrangement of the LTM version..

 

[Doug]

I too have both versions. I got the new coupled one to use on the Bessa R4a (which has 25mm framelines) so that as I focus I have parallax correction as well. It could be preferred on the M8 for the same reason.

The Snapshot Skopar rests on the Bessa L, an excellent home for it, and the focus detents are very helpful.

 

[f16sunshine]

I just got the m mount version to replace my snap shot. So far on the m8 the iq looks identical. Honestly in use I miss and would prefer the click stops of the older lens. It was just so easy to prefocus. What a nice way to shoot.

 

[yelofngr]

seems like many of you enjoy both models and shooting styles.

i am also intrigued by the click stops, esp for daytime street shooting, plus i think the snapshot is a bit smaller and looks cooler.

are there many situations you face where using the rangefinder to focus is absolutely helpful or even critical? maybe indoors, low light?

it only goes to f/4 so estimating the pre-focus should be good enough to catch everything in focus right?

 

[Doug]

I think its mainly a matter of different conveniences. Indoor wide-open focusing does put more of a premium on one's ability to accurately guage distance. But that's ok, really, just takes some practice.

 

[pvdhaar]

are there many situations you face where using the rangefinder to focus is absolutely helpful or even critical? maybe indoors, low light?

it only goes to f/4 so estimating the pre-focus should be good enough to catch everything in focus right?

Like Doug said, indoors requires building some guesstimation skills. But that's not only because you need to shoot wide open, it is also because subjects tend to be closer by. That means that DOF is shallower, and at f4 you can't get away with just using the click stops at 1m and 1.5m.

 

[robertcambab]

Hi I have the old snapshot and I too listened to Stephen (droll) Gandy when he told me it was a ridiculously low price. Bought it and have loved it ever since. It is Leica quality optics and the focus stops are great for no brainier shooting. There is no need to couple this.

 

[leica M2 fan]

I got the 25 in Nikon RF mount which is coupled but the way I usually shoot I just zone focus. Its rendition is superb but I'm glad I got it if I had to focus.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Sorry for digging this old thread out, but if there is any of you guys letting go a copy of this lens...preferably the coupled one...do let me know..thanks

Given the choice between the RF coupled one and the first model with focusing click stops, I would choose the first model with focusing click stops again. Do not be constrained by a preconceived mindset.

Cosina Voigtlander has consistently been very good about first making a model that makes sense and is logical. Then they will introduce a later version to match the general public's wish list even if not as logical as the first model.

 

[jsrockit]

Cosina Voigtlander has consistently been very good about first making a model that makes sense and is logical. Then they will introduce a later version to match the general public's wish list even if not as logical as the first model.

Are you saying that guessing focus is more valid than using a mechanical RF as a focusing aid?

 

[Bob Michaels]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Michaels

Cosina Voigtlander has consistently been very good about first making a model that makes sense and is logical. Then they will introduce a later version to match the general public's wish list even if not as logical as the first model.

Are you saying that guessing focus is more valid than using a mechanical RF as a focusing aid?

Yes. I am saying that zone focusing with a 25mm lens with its large DOF, while knowing the lens is at 3m, 1.5m or 1m, will result in consistently better photos than manually focusing each using an RF. I am not saying the focus is more accurate but one can get it consistently close enough to it makes no difference. And one cannot beat the speed.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Here is a "hail mary" of Jazz Musician Billy Ding's second line or jazz funeral march on Frenchman street in New Orleans. I was using the Snapshot Scopar. Could I have made this photo with the RF coupled model? Technically, yes. Realistically, no because I would have been thinking about focusing with the RF. I was accustomed to not thinking about focus so just raised the camera overhead and shot.

 

[jsrockit]

Yes. I am saying that zone focusing with a 25mm lens with its large DOF, while knowing the lens is at 3m, 1.5m or 1m, will result in consistently better photos than manually focusing each using an RF. I am not saying the focus is more accurate but one can get it consistently close enough to it makes no difference. And one cannot beat the speed.

I would think it depends on the person and what they are used to. I mean, it's not like you can't zone focus the m mount version... it just doesn't have clicks.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I would think it depends on the person and what they are used to. I mean, it's not like you can't zone focus the m mount version... it just doesn't have clicks.

That is exactly what I was attempting to say with Could I have made this photo with the RF coupled model? Technically, yes. Realistically, no because I would have been thinking about focusing with the RF. I was accustomed to not thinking about focus so just raised the camera overhead and shot. Apparently, I did not convey my thinking very well.

 

[Pikapig]

Given the choice between the RF coupled one and the first model with focusing click stops, I would choose the first model with focusing click stops again. Do not be constrained by a preconceived mindset.

Cosina Voigtlander has consistently been very good about first making a model that makes sense and is logical. Then they will introduce a later version to match the general public's wish list even if not as logical as the first model.

Just a question from a lazy person like me who don wish to google and do my own calculation....😛

on a 25mm at f8..am i basically covering almost everything from 1m to infinity? Do i set my focus on 1m or infinity? does it matter?

 

[Brian Legge]

Buy the 21mm LTM COlor skopar - coupled and click stops? 😉

I lucked into one locally at a great price. To be honest I picked it up with the intent of selling it here as I'd struggled with a 24mm Nikon SLR lens previously due to my habit of framing subjects in the edges of the frame. For some reason I didn't do this with the 21mm ltm lens can almost instantly fell in love with it.

 

[Bob Michaels]

........................ on a 25mm at f8..am i basically covering almost everything from 1m to infinity? Do i set my focus on 1m or infinity? does it matter?

Yes, it does matter where you focus. With the focus set at 3 meters at f8, you DOF will cover from 1.3 meters to infinity. This is based on a circle of confusion of 30 microns.

 

[taffy]

Can the non coupled version take filters? I use an M8 and I'm wondering if the snapshot skopar is a good option (for reasons more than just the price).