Thanks to all who've posted here, and especially Helena for answering my questions about this lens. I purchased one and have had it less than a week and am really enjoying it.
It's a reliable sweetheart, and rather different from their later short telephotos for M cameras. The 90/2.8 and the 75/1.9 lack the 75/1.5's single (double-sided) asph rear element, as used by the designers of Zeiss's top fast lenses and manufactured by Cosina. All the longer Otus lenses use this configuration (55/85/100mm) as a family trait.
We’re flying into Windhoek, then to (basically) Okatjeru/Bobbejaam, Etosha, Otavi, Twyfelfontein, Swakopmund, Solitaire then back to Windhoek. About two weeks, arriving Aug 6. I’ll send you a PM and maybe we can meet up, if you’re around.
Who makes lenses that are so different from each other lens they make, and therefore so 'individual' in character as does Cosina? This 75/1.5 became my favourite 'bokeh lens'. It comes over as Zeiss-like. They must have produced hundreds of thousands of Zeiss lenses in the various ranges that were commissioned by CZ - it was an accumulation of broad expertise. They produce their own glass.
"In fact, there are over 200 types of glass categorized as optical glass. Our high-end optical products would not exist without our knowing what characteristics result from which components and compositions." "Cosina’s Obuse factory handles more than 100 types of optical glass."
"Unlike Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Canon, or almost any other brand, Cosina still makes their own glass, makes the entire lens, start to finish, including all of the parts, down to the fasteners using their own designs. Unlike Canon, Nikon and Sony, all Cosina manufacturing takes in Japan."
Some feel it is not important, but much has changed since 2009 ;-) :
philip_pj wrote:
"Unlike Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Canon, or almost any other brand, Cosina still makes their own glass, makes the entire lens, start to finish, including all of the parts, down to the fasteners using their own designs. Unlike Canon, Nikon and Sony, all Cosina manufacturing takes in Japan."
Some feel it is not important, but much has changed since 2009 ;-) :
Well, I'm pretty sure Nikon make their own glass. Hikari glass factory if I'm not mistaken.
Leica also make their own glass, but that may be more for prototypes or very special purpose glass.
Not sure about Canon or Zeiss.
Sep 25, 2023 at 06:18 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
I agree and I think the Leica M 90 f/2 AA and the Zeiss Loxia 85 f/2.4 have a fairly similar look as well. The rendering of the Voigtlander 75 f/1.5, IMO, is characterized by high contrast with low spherical aberrations and fairly low chromatic aberrations. The Zeiss 100 f/2 has a bit more axial CA and the Leica M 90 AA has less axial CA, and the Zeiss Loxia 85 f/2.4 doesn't have as fast of an aperture, but I think these other three lenses are pretty close in rendering.
Oogappeltje wrote:
Any other lens has this (or close to) rendering?
Others have included the rendering of the Voigtlander 125/2.5 APO-Lanthar in this class. I’ve had my copy (F-mount) for several years and would agree. Quality of construction? It has its issues…
hmzimelka wrote:
Well, I'm pretty sure Nikon make their own glass. Hikari glass factory if I'm not mistaken.
Leica also make their own glass, but that may be more for prototypes or very special purpose glass.
Not sure about Canon or Zeiss.
From what I know Cosina makes every part for every Voigtlander branded lens. This includes glass.
That cannot be said for those other manufacturers. As far as I know they sometimes have entire lenses made by third parties and put their brand on them. Nikon reselling one generation old Tamron lenses with the Nikon brand is a recent example.
As far as the VM 75mm f/1.5 goes, it has a special place in my bag. It is unique, with a distinct look that is different than any other lens I have ever shot. Despite being the most difficult to shoot on my M11, it is one of my favorites.
Cosina get away with using few elements compared with the majors, as one of the things acquired from their Leica obsession. And it is all based on glass-related choices. As for the process pathways of glass formulations, the Puts link sounds like obfuscation, but always good to hear other viewpoints.
Build quality on the 75/1.5 is as good as anything I've used, but many don't like the ring layout. Use it enough, and you might get to like it as much as I do. Focus ring is a finger's width, just right at for the degree of damping, aperture ring is bevelled for easy identification and is well-spaced front of the focus ring.
Much, much easier than the jammed up rings near the body interface, which really impede fast work. And far better than the near full barrel focus rings Zeiss used in the Kyocera days - I lost many shots to that idea. The small hood is excellent for the type and likely usage of the lens. The font size is a perfect match for the rings and half stops simplifies it further.
Sorry to say, it works really well (and fast) on EVF cameras, and Fred points out the slight FC is in the design, not from the Sony's sensor thickness. On rendering, the Zeiss imprint is there but the engaging colour palette is far better suited to most work than Zeiss's more brutalist look. The bokeh is lovely, and contrast seems just right. I feel like a Philistine stopping it down.
Here is something I bet many don't know. The stock hood for this lens can be mounted in reverse for storage and even shooting when not needed. Doing this does reduce size a bit.
Thanks for that piece of info. The saving in length is not huge, but every bit counts in storage. Cosina was probably embarrassed at making such a long lens, lol.
At 406 grams (with a nano B+W filter, hood and caps), it is one very usable lens. 442 grams even with a Novoflex adapter. It fits neatly between 50mm and 100mm too. A 100mm at f2 version would be a sensation.
Much as I dislike using M lenses, on principle as much as sensor issues, Cosina makes some lovely lenses for M only. Lucky people.
