Voigtlander Lenses

[carbon12]

I have been considering a new rangefinder for several months. I have looked at Leica, Zeiss Ikon, Konica Hexar, and the Voigtlander R2A and R3A. Whilst I accept that Leica lenses are arguably the best, has anyone done comparisons between Voightlander lenses and Olympus Zuiko, particularly the 35mm and 28mm lenghts? Also, how slow shutterspeed can a R2a go to hand held?

Cheers Owen.

 

[Nearsighted]

Let your budget be your guide. As far as compairing Oly glass to CV glass I would say CV lenses can hold there own against any makers lenses. The ones I've owned have all had there strengths as well as weaknesses, like all lenses. The slowest usable shutter speed hand held depends on the user. Sorry I can't help more with your choice. I'm happy with my simple Bessa R and 3 lens kit. (for the moment)

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Usually we say 1/focal length is the slowest shutter speed.

So with a 50mm lens it is 1/50th of a second, say 1/60th on most cameras.

Because a Voigtlander is very smooth we can go slower. 1/30th is fine, and even 1/15th if you have steady hands.

 

[Frank Granovski]

I thought Zeiss are best. 😎

Shooting with my R3A/40mm is okay at 1/15 shutter, I find. 🙂

 

[RML]

1/15 is very doable. 1/8 with some practise. But even 1/4 or 1/2 if you brace yourself, mind your breathing and have a steady hand. Using a wide angle lens is also a bonus.

Any LTM lens will fit any M-mount body with an adapter. And any M-mount lens will fit any M-mount body (with only a handful of exceptions, mostly due to oversized rear elements and shutters getting in the way of that rear side).

So, choose your camera based on whatever criteria (finance, weight, name, smoothness of operation, you-name-it) and find yourself some fine lens(es) to go with that body. Again, choose a lens on whatever criteria. Are you a wide angle shooter or a strickly 50mm guy? Do you mind spending $2000 on a lens or would settle for an almost equally good $300 lens? Your choice, Owen! 🙂

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Olympus Zuiko is popular with RF people because the lenses focus in the same direction as a lot of RF lenses such as Leica and Voigtlander. Other SLR's focus in the other direction.

And the Voigtlander lenses are just as good as the Leica lenses.

 

[jaap]

I have been considering a new rangefinder for several months. I have looked at Leica, Zeiss Ikon, Konica Hexar, and the Voigtlander R2A and R3A. Whilst I accept that Leica lenses are arguably the best, has anyone done comparisons between Voightlander lenses and Olympus Zuiko, particularly the 35mm and 28mm lenghts? Also, how slow shutterspeed can a R2a go to hand held?

Cheers Owen.

Contax Leica Voigtlander all are beutifull tools for serious photography. There are some differences in the glass but with all these brands you get beautifull results. Leica is the most expensive because they are made in Germany not while there the best (imo). The build quality of the voightlander is a step behind Zeiss and Leica.

 

[carbon12]

Thankyou

Thankyou

Thankyou to all that replied. In short at this time I don't have the finaces for Leica. And whislt I loved the build quality of the second hand Leicas; M6's ; and the viewfinder of the Zeiss Ikon; the Bessa R2a felt great. I still can't believe that Cosina can builld a camera system of quality for the price.

Thankyou again.

 

[GeneW]

has anyone done comparisons between Voightlander lenses and Olympus Zuiko, particularly the 35mm and 28mm lenghts?

I've found CV lenses to be a bit more contrasty than Zuiko lenses and perhaps a little sharper. Probably attributable to more recent lens designs.

Gene

 

[That Guy]

Braced well, I've been able to do 1/4 sec with my L consistently.

 

[Fred]

Welcome.

The CV lenses are not the same as the Leica ones but the difference in image quality is no where near as much as much the price may make you think.

The build quality if the ones I have including the 15 Heliar, 28 Skopar, 35 Ultron and 90 Lanthar is very good indeed (see my gallery). Image wise they are very sharp and an absolute bargain even bought new. I'm not sure if they would last as well as Leica gear but would certainly give them a run for the money.

I've used the current ASPH 35, and 90 crons and really like them but the extra cost is a lot above the CV lens stable.

Have fun.

 

[Dave H]

Hi Carbon 12,

I own a CV, leica and Zuiko lenses. IMHO the rangefinder lenses are "better" than my zuiko lenses, ie, I just prefare the look of photos taken using these lenses.

My Zuiko lenses are by no means bad, but others in blind tests prefere the look of the RF lenses also.

I now only use my OM4Ti with the 85mm because I haven't got a RF lens in that length and for the TTL spot meter which is great for metering various areas of the face in portraits. (I am looking for a 90mm elmarit though).

While all the comments on low hand held shutter speeds are valid, please bear in mind, that some subjects, (people) dont stay that still.

go for it,

Dave

 

[RML]

While all the comments on low hand held shutter speeds are valid, please bear in mind, that some subjects, (people) dont stay that still.

Only the moving objects, Dave. 🙂

Besides, I often like a little motion blur in a shot. Adds some life to it.

 

[sfb_dot_com]

I reckon I can probably go as low as 1/8 handheld with my Bessa L , but then I am using the 12mm Heliar Ultrawide, which is as wide as you can go. This lens is a cracker, as sharp as can be, although it's zany perspective and some fall-off take a bit of getting used to. It is a unique lens & I love it. Build quality on the 12mm is reckoned to be a cut above other CV lenses. I'd love to have a 35mm to go with it and possibly a 75 or 90. But then of course I'd need to upgrade to a rangefinder body then.

I like Olympus stuff as it's often small and light, although I've never owned any of their gear.

Andy

 

[KoNickon]

The Zuiko lenses seem to have passionate fans; there are others who will tell you they come out worse than any of their contemporary competition (meaning '70s-'80s manual focus lenses of Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax, Konica, etc.). The eBay prices for all but the really common Zuiko lenses remain quite high, much to my surprise and chagrin.

I like them fine, but I do think they are contrastier than most. And I also think that the Voigtlander lenses do outperform them, but then, those are new designs and the inherent advantage of rangefinder lens design (i.e. not being retrofocus) helps too.

I always wondered why the heck the Zuiko lenses had the aperture ring at the front of the lens. It wasn't until I got into RFs that I discovered that is the norm for rangefinder lenses. I assume Olympus did this because otherwise the aperture ring would interfere with the shutter speed ring.

 

[KoNickon]

Roland, I just saw your note. I'd like to know where the picture of the hut on the coastline was taken -- lovely view!

I was also interested to hear you say you use the 28/3.5 Zuiko. Did you try the 28/2.8? I usually try to avoid a slower 28 SLR lens; it just gets too tough to focus. No such issues with a rangefinder lens, of course.

 

[MCTuomey]

When you plan to go below 1/60 without a tripod, the resolution of the lens is not important anymore, because
all lenses will behave similarly in this respect (handshake will dominate, even on a Leica). Then things like
OOF behavior (bokeh) become important, and some older lenses outperform many newer ones (Sonnar
variants like the Canon 50/1.5 or Jupiter 3 are great).

I agree quite a bit with Roland regarding slow shutter shooting in available light. I am enjoying my recently acquired Summarit which is rather soft wide open, but in a pleasing way for faces, and has nice bokeh IMO. It is not always necessary to fret over sharpness and modern lens qualities. Vintage glass has many advantages. The fact that many older lenses are relatively inexpensive only adds to the delight of owning and using them.

Buy a body and start shooting. Your preferences will become apparent to you over a short period of time. Then you can adjust your gear to what really suits your fancy. Selling and buying are part of the fun 😀

 

[peter_n]

I use Leica, CV, Konica and Russian lenses. They're all good in different ways. I strongly recommend the Russian Jupiter-8 to you. There are plenty of J-8 dogs but if you're lucky enough to get a good one it is priceless. As Gene says, the CV lenses are a little contrastier than most others, the 35/1.7 being an exception. I have mostly Leica lenses and I think there is a difference. You will see it clearly if you shoot a modern Leica lens wide-open then blow it up to a big print. For the web, no discernible difference. For high quality prints to be hung on walls and such you will see it. That's when you say hmmm that's why they cost so much.

 

[dostacos]

I have been considering a new rangefinder for several months. I have looked at Leica, Zeiss Ikon, Konica Hexar, and the Voigtlander R2A and R3A. Whilst I accept that Leica lenses are arguably the best, has anyone done comparisons between Voightlander lenses and Olympus Zuiko, particularly the 35mm and 28mm lenghts? Also, how slow shutterspeed can a R2a go to hand held?

Cheers Owen.

well I shoot my bessa R 35/2.5 lens at a 15th hand held no problems

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Braced well, I can do 1/2 with a 35mm lens. without bracing, that becomes 1/8 and up. 50mm is 1/15 and up comfortably and 1/4 and up braced. This of course is subject to whether or not I've eaten right and I'm not shaking. 😛

Bokeh has always been important to me. Candid portraits are my favorite thing to do lately (other than photos of my room) and it's important to have a lens with a decent looking OOF space. I find my Canon 50/1.8 to be great with this. I also find my Jupiter-9 lens to have GREAT bokeh. I haven't tried as many closer shots with my J-12, but from what I've seen it's pretty good.

For reference.

This shot and this shot were taken with the Canon 50/1.8. This shot (plus fingerprints) was taken with the 35mm J-12. Those are about the only things I have up right now, but they demonstrate the good qualities of these lenses.

If you *are* on a budget, don't overlook the Russian glass. You can pretty much get an entire lens lineup for the $300 that you'd spend on the CV lenses. The only downside is that they aren't exactly always the best quality...you really have to watch. Then again, there are plenty of members here who work on Jupiter/Industar lenses who would be happy to adjust them for you.