p.12 #1 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
I've been encountering calibration issues which are now amplified by the M10-R's 40MP sensor.
My new copy of the 50/1.4 lux is perfectly calibrated at MFD, 2m and infinity. I appreciate this level of accuracy and tight tolerance which is not easy to do. On the other hand, lens focus calibration has been disappointing with the modern ultra fast f/1.2 Nokton lenses. (35mm, 40mm and 50mm). Calibration is not noticeably off but when shooting at f/1.2, especially at close distance, it's enough to bother me. Surprisingly this not an issue with the 'slower f/1.5' lenses like the Voigt 35/1.7, Voigt 50/1.5 II, 75/1.5 and newer APO lenses.
When comparing RF focusing (with a 1.4x magnifier to increase accuracy) to Visoflex, all the f/1.2 copies I've tried so far show a slight miss-calibration. I've tried numerous copies of the 35mm, 40mm and 50mm f/1.2 M lenses. My theory is that Voigtlander calibrates them for 2m but because of their complex design without FLE, calibration is only 100% accurate at one distance, so not as good at MFD and infinity.
Notwithstanding calibration issues, I consider the CV 50/1.2 in particular a bargain compared to the lux. Their rendering is very similar and pleasant. At infinity, the Nokton actually has better corners at wider apertures and they are very similar at center wide open. Not much difference at f/5.6 for landscapes on the M10-R. The Nokton is only 20g heavier and noticeable shorter (and fatter)....Show more →
The CV 35 1.2 III I have (and it sounds like the 50 1.2 is the same way) is a great hybrid as it of course does well to separate the subject wide open, but the corners look pretty good when stopped down to f/5.6 for landscape use. But since I have the CV 35 and 50 APO, it's almost a crime not to switch to them when I shoot landscape. For that reason, I mainly use the 50 Lux for subject separation and for the joy of the user experience since I have the black chrome version. The 50 Lux corners as you say are nothing to write home about at infinity even stopped down.
Probably the most versatile 35/50 combo would be the CV 50 1.2 and CV 35 1.2 III, and I could leave the CV 35/50 APO and 50 Lux behind. But one of the main reasons I would perhaps prefer to only use the APOs is because of how easily they snap into focus in the EVF or LCD. No clear winners or losers on all fronts.
Have you tried the 1.2 CVs stopped down a half stop? Wondering out loud if they would behave better like you found the CV 75 1.5 does when shot between 1.5 and 2 (same bokeh as wide open but point of focus is sharper). My copy of the CV 35 1.2 III seems ok with the rangefinder wide open – in fact, it's easier to focus that way for me since there's so little contrast with it for peaking to work well – and with peaking off, it doesn't snap into focus easily, either. In any case, I mostly use the CV 1.2s wide open for mid-distance (fitting an entire vehicle in the frame for example) where they really shine, and where accuracy wide open with the rangefinder is usually spot-on. Using the CV 1.2s at MFD wide open is not only soft, but it just annihilates the background. For MFD subject isolation, I usually prefer the rendering of the 50 Lux over my 35 1.2 III or either CV APO. I need to buy the CV 50 1.2 to see how it would compare, but my wallet has taken a beating recently since I bought the 28 Summilux-M, which should arrive on Monday.
p.12 #2 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
Taken with Panasonic S1R with Voigtlander (VM) 50mm F1.5 II (Vintage Line) MC (Nikel)
Very sharp at corner and middle zone at F5.6 as mentioned from Fred's review.
But soft at 4 extreme corners as expected.
Nice color character is its great merit. Top center Cyan is questionable.
After checking original image, it is mainly caused by tiny spot of blue sky in the middle of thick cloud atmosphere .
p.12 #3 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
I have sonnar 50mm f1.5 and just ordered Voigt 50/1.5 II. l love how sonnar renders on film with my M6 but as a new m240 owner the focus shift becomes quite annoying on digital. Will compare them and curious which one I'll keep!
p.12 #4 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
luoyyisvic wrote:
I have sonnar 50mm f1.5 and just ordered Voigt 50/1.5 II. l love how sonnar renders on film with my M6 but as a new m240 owner the focus shift becomes quite annoying on digital. Will compare them and curious which one I'll keep!
I think you will like the VM. Wide open it has a bit of character, (not near the Sonnar however) but modern rendering stopped down.
p.12 #12 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
luoyyisvic wrote:
Have you decided which one to keep?
No, I’ve still got both! 😂 I’ve been slow with shooting but I’ve got a roll coming back where I shot both lenses I believe, hopefully I’ll remember which was which. I may still just hold onto them both for the time being. My sense is that there must be some significant sample variation among the Sonnars, as mine doesn’t perform anywhere nearly as poor (to my eye) as on the massive head-to-head lens test someone else posted earlier in this thread.
p.12 #13 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
astrobuoy wrote:
No, I’ve still got both! 😂 I’ve been slow with shooting but I’ve got a roll coming back where I shot both lenses I believe, hopefully I’ll remember which was which. I may still just hold onto them both for the time being. My sense is that there must be some significant sample variation among the Sonnars, as mine doesn’t perform anywhere nearly as poor (to my eye) as on the massive head-to-head lens test someone else posted earlier in this thread.
Haha I know it's hard to decide. I've looked at as many photos as I could find online taken by these two but still not sure. I do find Sonnar has slightly more pleasing rendering and Notkon vignettes quite a lot. It would awesome if you could keep us updated and maybe post some photos to compare! 🙌
p.12 #15 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
I really wonder how this lens can perform on a crop sensor. I do not have a full-frame rangefinder, but am pretty much interested in buying either this lens or Nokton 35mm f1.4 ii for Fujifilm Xpro2.
p.12 #16 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
I think this lens provides impressive image in sharpness and color and its own trait that is different from
CV 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar that I have used and and am using. Each of them has its own trait and very unique.
50/1.5 MC II slightly enhanced its sharpness from the predecessor and old one also has its very unique tone.
I never used this one to APS-C, but have learned it is also great for crop factor camera too.
p.12 #17 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
luoyyisvic wrote:
Haha I know it's hard to decide. I've looked at as many photos as I could find online taken by these two but still not sure. I do find Sonnar has slightly more pleasing rendering and Notkon vignettes quite a lot. It would awesome if you could keep us updated and maybe post some photos to compare! 🙌
Ok, I did end up taking some photos with both the C-Sonnar and Nokton II on both color and black & white film. I'll try posting some samples from both below.
p.12 #19 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
If you'd like you can see the full-sized images to compare here.
I feel like they're pretty close, though there are slight differences in the way they draw. First, unlike the two round-ups I've seen, my Sonnar is plenty sharp to my eye (though I don't really do resolution tests, so take that with a grain of salt I guess). I don't know if anyone would agree, and I don't know if I quite have the words, but in general I think the Nokton renders a bit "flatter" and more even, while there's a kind of "roundness," if that makes sense, to the Sonnar images that I can't put my finger on. The Nokton definitely vignettes more when it's open, and the bokeh is a little busier and more nervous, while the Sonnar is very creamy. And the focus transition in the Sonnar images looks very gentle and smooth to me.
And yet, I like them both. This hasn't helped me decide which one I'd keep, as I think they each do something a little different, and I find myself reaching for either one depending on the day. I think I'll just keep shooting and perhaps make a decision further down the line.
p.12 #20 · Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II Aspherical Review
I think your assessment/comparison makes good sense. I’m on my second copy of the Sonnar—the first one suffered a tragic fall into a flooding creek. As a result, I can confirm copy variation between it and my second, which is significantly sharper in every way, from wide open to across the frame when stopped down. To me the “roundness” of the Sonnar rendering is central to its appeal and a key part of its magic. Mine is a keeper for sure.
