Probably. Did you go directly with the store or a fulfillment through Amazon?
I think this happens everywhere. I once ordered a lens from B&H and it was very obvious that the lens was used. I had to leave on a trip so there was basically no way to get a new one to me. Now their claim was that they did not resell opened items ever which was clearly not the case here. Given the circumstances the agreement we came to was that I would take the lens on my trip and use it and if it were not to my satisfaction they would replace it. So the lens did turn out to be a dud and they did ended up replacing it with something new once I returned (about 3 weeks later).
I highly doubt a lens that is returned makes it back to the factory. Perhaps in some cases but who knows.
jhinkey wrote:
All is good now.
Had it out last night at my D's volleyball game. As I showed in the other 65/2 thread it certainly passes the close portrait eyelash test with great background bokeh and excellent sharpness at the 1/3 part of the frame. Not a hint of CA of any kind. Used it exclusively at f/2 due to the usual crappy lighting in these gyms.
My only initial problems with it while manual focusing were that the focus peaking on my A7RII seemed to be far less sensitive compared to when I use my 135/2 APO. I had a hard time determining if I had correct focus both for up close (as in the portrait of my daughter) and stuff farther away (like 20 meters). Looking at the images in post they were clearly quite sharp.
Today/tonight I intend to get it outside if the weather cooperates and I'll do the usual lens tests.
Another note - although the box appeared new, with a cellophane wrapping, the CPU electrical contacts and mount surface clearly showed some rub marks from being mounted at least once. With other new native E mount lenses that I have the contacts and mount have always looked pristine right out of the box. Are these marks from testing? Refurbishment? A return? ...Show more →
In Japan the Cosina Voigtländer lens boxes have never been wrapped in cellophane in any store I've seen them in or purchased from. But I don't know whether there might be some differences with U.S. packaging, at least the boxes have been different between Japan and U.S. in some cases.
I'll send Stephen a note about it. Everything looked pristine except the rub marks on the CPU contacts and some oil smeared around the mount (no scratches, just the typical smears that you get when you put the lens on the mount).
I also stopped by Glazers camera in downtown Seattle (the pro shop here in Seattle) and asked when/if they were going to carry these native E mount Voigtlander lenses. They said that they are having issues with Camera Quest being a distributor and didn't think they would ever carry Voigtlander lenses because of "issues" they were having with CQ. Too bad.
In the mean time, I'd say the flare/ghosting for realistic images is pretty darned outstanding.
From this morning:
EDIT - Apparently this REALLY IS () an APO lens as I see no issues in the reflection off the water where non-APO lenses have issues with PF.
davewolfs wrote:
You have a good copy. Relax and enjoy it. The new one night be bad. You know how this game works.
I know, I know - relax as apparently I have a good copy. It just irks me if someone had it before me, it was a demo copy, etc. when I paid full price for a fresh-from-the-factory version. It may just as well be that the factory mounted the lens for inspection purposes for all I know.
I'll still contact Stephen Gandy and see what he says . . .
My biggest issue with this lens is getting the 65mm focal length into my lens lineup. In some cases it will replace the 135/2 APO which can be a bit too long for candid portraits in confined spaces.
Now, I just need to track down a 125/2.5 to have all the CV APOs.
65/2 APO E
90/3.5 APO SL-II
125/2.5 SL (maybe)
180/4 APO SL
are there/were there anymore APO Lanthars of recent vintage that CV made?
jhinkey wrote:
My biggest issue with this lens is getting the 65mm focal length into my lens lineup. In some cases it will replace the 135/2 APO which can be a bit too long for candid portraits in confined spaces.
Now, I just need to track down a 125/2.5 to have all the CV APOs.
65/2 APO E
90/3.5 APO SL-II
125/2.5 SL (maybe)
180/4 APO SL
are there/were there anymore APO Lanthars of recent vintage that CV made?
I would pair your CV 65/2 APO with the Batis 135/2.8 APO. They have very similar APO qualities and are sharp center to edges from wide open! (I posted some crops in other threads)
You can't get better than this. What we are lacking is a native option for the wide-angle that matches this IQ.
Frankly I think the 65 apo and Batis 135 are two of the best lenses going in Native mount. Let me rephrase that they are the two best lenses in native.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I would pair your CV 65/2 APO with the Batis 135/2.8 APO. They have very similar APO qualities and are sharp from center to edges from wide open! (I posted some crops in other threads)
You can't get better than this. What we are lacking is a native option for the wide-angle that matches this IQ.
I know that's a tall order but the Loxia 21mm and/or Batis 18mm are pretty close, right?
AGeoJO wrote:
I know that's a tall order but the Loxia 21mm and/or Batis 18mm are pretty close, right?
No on center I don't think anything can touch it in native mount. The 65 is that good. But that is not bad news for the Loxia at all. Great lens, just got it again actually but the APO 65 is awesome at F2 but at 2.8 its at its optimum
GMPhotography wrote:
I was referring to your 18 and 21 comment.
Yes, but a wide angle lens or an ultra wide angle, like 21mm and 18mm is not there to compete with the Voigtlander 65mm f/2.0 macro. Fred mentioned the superb lineup that consist of the Voigtlander 65mm f/2 and Batis 135mm f/2.8 Apo and he mentioned that the native wide angle lens is missing. This what I was referring to:
Fred Miranda wrote:
What we are lacking is a native option for the wide-angle that matches this IQ.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I would pair your CV 65/2 APO with the Batis 135/2.8 APO. They have very similar APO qualities and are sharp from center to edges from wide open! (I posted some crops in other threads)
You can't get better than this. What we are lacking is a native option for the wide-angle that matches this IQ.
Well, that's the job of my 135/3.4 APO Telyt M usually, but it doesn't like being pointed into the sun and doesn't focus all that close either (1.5m).
AGeoJO wrote:
Yes, but a wide angle lens or an ultra wide angle, like 21mm and 18mm is not there to compete with the Voigtlander 65mm f/2.0 macro. Fred mentioned the superb lineup that consist of the Voigtlander 65mm f/2 and Batis 135mm f/2.8 Apo and he mentioned that the native wide angle lens is missing. This what I was referring to:
Fred Miranda wrote:
Yes, I would consider the Loxia 21 in the same group. It's not as well corrected but it's also excellent for an ultra wide.
So we have Loxia 21, CV 65 and Batis 135. We need a 28 or 35 now.
Gearing up for fall colors in Yosemite.....
I just took delivery of the CV 65mm lens and and the expression that I could come up with upon reviewing the fist images is "holy smoke"! The IQ of the lens is as good or even better than I expected and I raised my expectation based on this and similar thread. Stephen (Luvwine) and DavidBM you helped me spend my money . Now, I have two out the 3 listed you listed for the trip, Fred. But I have been resisting to get the Batis 135mm and I will take an alternative that covers the long end. There are 2 choices I am considering and I will have to decide before too long. And I am still working on the 35mm....
) an APO lens as I see no issues in the reflection off the water where non-APO lenses have issues with PF.
