rkm
Well-known
Can any direct comparison be made between Voigtlander's SL or SL II lenses versus their M mount offerings in terms of image quality and character, or are they just different beasts?
Voigtlander SL lenses versus Noktons, any comparison?
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gavinlg
Veteran
They're quite different. Both excellent lens lines though. The SL lenses tend to be slower and less 'character' based.
Indeed they're optically different, as the SL line needs more distance between the glass and film/sensor to allow room for the SLR mirror. They're all good...
As with Leica and their Summilux, Summicron, and Summarit signifying lens speeds... Voigtlander uses the Nokton name for fast lenses in both lines... Note there's a 58mm f/1.4 Nokton SLII for instance. "Ultron" is used for medium speed lenses like the 40mm f/2 Ultron SL, and "Heliar" generally for the f/2.5 or slower.
My notes about using the 58mm Nokton on a dSLR indicate nice bokeh, fine sharpness, and a small amount of red lateral color.
As with Leica and their Summilux, Summicron, and Summarit signifying lens speeds... Voigtlander uses the Nokton name for fast lenses in both lines... Note there's a 58mm f/1.4 Nokton SLII for instance. "Ultron" is used for medium speed lenses like the 40mm f/2 Ultron SL, and "Heliar" generally for the f/2.5 or slower.
My notes about using the 58mm Nokton on a dSLR indicate nice bokeh, fine sharpness, and a small amount of red lateral color.
rkm
Well-known
So it's perhaps better to weigh up what an AIS 58/1.4 would offer compared to a Nikkor 50/1.4 for instance?
The optical formulas of the APO Lanther 90mm f/3.5 and Heliar 75mm f/2.5 are the same for both LTM and SLR versions. AFAIK they're the only two though.
Edit: the MLU ultrawides as mentioned below also have the same optics as their LTM/M equivalents.
Edit: the MLU ultrawides as mentioned below also have the same optics as their LTM/M equivalents.
mfogiel
Veteran
I use the Heliar 75/2.5 SL and LTM, they are both great, and the results look the same.
maitani
Well-known
I have the Topcon (Cosina limited re-edition)5 8 1.4, which I believe should be the same formula as the SL 58 1.4) I have yet to see a better lens in the 50 territory for SRL/DSLR mounts, it's absolutely faboulous from wide-open, I didn't ever test the noct nikkor though, but just about anything else there is....
The retro-focal (MLU) wides are outstanding and due to the closeness to filmplane, identical to their M-mount counterparts
The retro-focal (MLU) wides are outstanding and due to the closeness to filmplane, identical to their M-mount counterparts
iuseruby
Member
Ultron 40mm SL is really good lens. It is sharp from wide open and has pleasant bokeh. Probably, it's a best manual lens for canon (d)slr. It was my only one lens for canon 5d before I switched to rangefinder.
Joosep
Well-known
My dream lens... Got a silver Bessaflex, would fit it perfect. Those guys so rare and expensive tho....
Archlich
Well-known
I found the SL lenses (especially the metal SL I versions) and the SLR Zeiss ones to be superbly built. Better than the VM and ZM lenses and some Leica lenses. Should they have used brass & chrome no doubt they'll be up there with the old Leicas of the 50s and 60s.
That also leads to question of why ZM and VM lenses, which are around the same league with their SLR brethren price wise, are subject to so many mechanical issues...
That also leads to question of why ZM and VM lenses, which are around the same league with their SLR brethren price wise, are subject to so many mechanical issues...
Quite right; somehow I was thinking only of the mid-range, but these others should be mentioned as being optically the same as their RF cousins.
Worth noting that the ultra-wides only come in Nikon mount and require the mirror to be locked up because they are not retro-focal designs and thus sit very close to the film plane.
rkm
Well-known
Interesting. How do you keep the mirror up on the camera? I see from the camera quest website, the idea is to mount a separate finder on top. I'm enjoying my Nikon FE, and maybe this would be a good option for me.
[joke] Apply some double-stick tape to the mirror and it will stay up after you press the shutter button the next time. [/joke]
Actually, some cameras have the mirror lock up (MLU) feature and these are usually the top-of-the-line pro models. Typically there's a lever on the side of the mirror box or nearby, sometimes integrated with the self-timer control. I don't know if the FE has this, you could check your camera documentation. It's mostly intended for reducing camera vibration when using slow shutter speeds. Manufacturers have improved mirror-damping over the past 20 years so it may be less important now for that purpose.