Flare resistance
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
As always evaluating flare is a complex matter since you can get any lens to look bad if you push it hard enough and a slight change of scenario can affect results a lot.
Generally the recent Voigtlander lenses have fared very well in this category, especially when it comes to veiling flare. Unfortunately the picture on top is already worse than anything I managed to create with the 35mm 1.2 or 50mm 1.2 lenses, but let us have a closer look.
Sun outside frame
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7rII | f/7.1
With most lenses there is a very specific position close to the corner of the frame that will lead to a huge flare and the Voigtlander 35mm 2.0 E is no exception.
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony Ar7II | f/11
There is another position that leads to what looks like internal reflections, again, the light source needs to be in a very specific position for this, so this isn’t something you should encounter often.
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7rII | f/11With the sun close to the edges a purple/green ghost can appear, we will see this one again in the next section.
Sun inside frame
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7rII | f/11
With the sun inside the frame the situation is generally better, but sometimes even sensor reflections appear, which is something I have rarely seen on the Sony A7rII.
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/11
And that green/purple ghosts? Depending on the position of the light source in turns into a streak across the whole frame.
I took many pictures with a strong light source in the frame without any issues. All in all I consider the performance solid, but not great.
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Sunstars
100% crops from center, A7rII
Like the Voigtlander 50mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar before this 35mm lens features Cosina’s speciel aperture diaphragm. At f/2.0, f/2.8, f/5.6 and f/16 the opening is perfectly round (no sunstars), at f/4.0 and f/8.0 the blades form a “crown cork” shape (whacky sunstars) and at f/11 they form a perfect dodecagon (sunstars).
Generally, I think the design is ingenious and I would love to see way more lenses using it, but compared to other Voigtlander lenses with only straight blades the sunstars are a little less distinct and they are harder to “control”, as you cannot adjust their strength by stopping down more or less.
As this is a reasonably fast lens and you might also want to use it for some shallower depth of field photography I still consider it a very smart decision to use this diaphragm.
Handling/Build quality
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E
The Voigtlander 35mm 2.0 E looks and feels a lot like its slighly longer 50mm sibling, so if you have already used that lens you will immediately feel at home.
The focus ring has a nice, well dampened resistance and turns about 160° from the minimum focus distance (0.35 m) to infinity. The ring rotates a little past infinity which is a good idea, as we will see in my review of the M-mount version (coming soon).
The aperture ring has 1/3 of a stop click stops (which you can declick by rotating an additional ring at the front of the lens) and turns roughly 100° from f/2.0 to f/16.
The lens has electronic contacts to communicate exif data with your camera and if you wish so the focus magnify will be activated when you turn the focus ring.
The outer casing seems to be made completely from metal and all markings are engraved and filled with paint.
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E with lens hood attached on Sony A7rII
As is usually the case with E-mount lenses (but not M-mount lenses) there is a hood in the package and anohter nice touch: the hood features an additional 58 mm filter thread – which is shared with the 50mm 2.0 – and there is even a second lens cap for this 58 mm thread included.
Voigtlander VM 35mm 2.0, 35mm 1.7, 35mm 1.2 III, 35mm 2.0 E
Compared to the M-mount version the E-mount version looks a lot bigger (read: thicker). It is similar in size and weight to the Voigtlander 35mm 1.2 Nokton SE.
Reasons to Buy Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II Lens
Here we’ve included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
PROs
| Aperture Ring |
| Distance Scale |
| DoF(Depth of Field) Scale |
| Hood supplied |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
Report a correction
Buy Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II from or B&H PHOTO
CONs
| No Weather Sealing |
| No Autofocus |
| Not so fast for a short Prime Lens |
Lens Mount
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is compatible with cameras that have a Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is also available in Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF mounts.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II has a maximum diameter of 63mm and total length of 52mm. It weighs 320g / 11.3 oz.
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II has a filter thread of 52mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II:
Optical Image Stabilization
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II doesn’t have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM and Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM. in Canon EF mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.
Lenses Similar to Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II With Optical Image Stabilization
| Model | Coverage | Weight | Focusing | Street Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM Compare |
35mm FF | 625gr | AF | ||
|
Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM Compare |
35mm FF | 950gr | AF | ||
|
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Compare |
35mm FF | 726gr | AF | ||
|
Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD Compare |
35mm FF | 700gr | AF | ||
|
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro Compare |
35mm FF | 609gr | AF | ||
|
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro Compare |
35mm FF | 550gr | AF |
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.29x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.29x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Lens Hood
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Popular Comparisons of Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II
Top Alternatives of Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II Lens
| Model | Coverage | Weight | Focusing | Street Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro Compare |
35mm FF | 405 g / 0.89 lb | AF | ||
|
Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM Compare |
35mm FF | 950 g / 2.09 lb | AF | ||
|
Canon TS-E 90mm f2.8 Compare |
35mm FF | 565 g / 1.24 lb | MF | ||
|
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Compare |
35mm FF | 460 g / 1.01 lb | AF | ||
|
Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 Compare |
35mm FF | 1,200 g / 2.64 lb | MF | ||
|
Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Compare |
35mm FF | 1,025 g / 2.26 lb | AF | ||
|
Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Compare |
35mm FF | 638 g / 1.40 lb | MF | ||
|
Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 Compare |
35mm FF | 1,050 g / 2.31 lb | MF |
Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH Image Quality:
Let’s talk about image quality now, which to be honest, is what the APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH is all about. This is supposedly one of Voigtlander’s best lenses in terms of optics. As I mentioned earlier, Voigtlander even says that this “offers the highest resolution and best color correction. It can be called our most powerful 35mm lens of all time.” That is high praise and let me just say that after testing this lens, I don’t doubt that statement. This is seriously one of the best Voigtlander lenses that I’ve tested.
It starts out with sharpness, which is just so good. The amount of detail the APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH retrieves is downright pretty incredible. I’m not even talking about say the overall picture or the main subjects in a photo. I’m talking about all the micro detail as well. The best part is the lens is sharp throughout the frame at all aperture settings. The corners and edges definitely hold up well even at f2.
I was mainly using the Panasonic S1 because I was reviewing that camera but I also used this lens on my Leica M6 TTL Millennium, and a Sigma fp L, which has 61 megapixels. This lens was definitely up for the fp L’s sensor. It produced beautifully sharp images.
Of course, the praise does not stop there. First off, you’re getting beautifully three dimensional images from the APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH. That pop or that depth we all look for in good lenses is all here. Furthermore, since this is an apochromatic design, it has better control over issues like color fringing and chromatic aberrations. As I mentioned earlier, flare wasn’t an issue for me under normal usage meaning not purposely trying to make the lens flare. I did see a little vignetting at f2 but nothing out of the ordinary. Stopping down just a bit removes it.
Specifications / Version History
Cosina produces plenty of 35mm lenses under the “Voigtländer” brand and this is already the third native E-mount one we are reviewing here (the other ones being the Voigtländer 35mm 1.2 Nokton SE and the Voigtländer 35mm 1.4 Nokton E Classic). It also comes as M-mount lens – which at first sight seems to have the same optical design – but in fact doesn’t, as I will show you in my review of the M-mount version (coming soon).
The full specifications of the E-mount version are:
-
- Diameter: 63 mm
- Field of view: 62.2° (diagonally)
- Length: 67 mm
- Weight: 353g (without hood, without caps)
- Filter Diameter: 49 mm + 58 mm (in lens hood)
- Number of Aperture Blades: 12 (rounded or straight depending on aperture value)
- Elements/Groups: 11/9
- Close Focusing Distance: 0.35 m
- Maximum Magnification: 1:6.3
- Mount: Sony E
The lens is available from Robert White (UK) | Cameraquest (US) | B&H | ebay.com | ebay.de (affiliate links) and the price is $1149/1099€/£899.
Sharpness
infinity (42mp Sony A7rII)
The other Apo-Lanthar lenses showed very impressive results here and the 35mm manages to follow their footsteps easily.
From f/2.0 the resolution is as high as you may ever need it and stopping down is only needed to extend the depth of field with this lens.
The difference at wider apertures will be very noticeable compared to the Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 or legacy 35mm lenses, but differences to the faster, heavier and bigger Sony FE 35mm 1.4 GM or Sigma 35mm 1.2 Art DG DN will be academically at best.
If resolution at infinity is what you care about most and you don’t rely on autofocus this Voigtlander 35mm 2.0 E Apo-Lanthar is clearly the lens you should have a very close look at.
portrait distance (1.0 m)
For portraiture it isn’t so important how flat the field is, it is more interesting to see what the sharpness is like when focused at different parts of the frame to take field curvature out of the equation.
positions of crops in the frame
This is what I did here, I refocused for every shot and aperture to get the best possible result at different locations in the frame (center, inner midframe and outer midframe).
Focus distance was roughly 1.0 m and the circle of the dollar bill is more or less the size of a human eye.
100% crops, A7rII
Performance here is very good, even in the outer midframe area you still see lots of Moiré, so no complaints.
close (0.35 m, 1:6.3)
100% crops from center, A7rII
The performance at f/2.0 near and at the minimum focus distance is not that great as there is quite a bit of spherical aberration (softness). I didn’t really expect this.
The good news is that stopping down to f/2.8 is enough to elevate the performance to very good levels. Field curvature is also very low at closer distances.
Reasons to Buy Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II Lens
Here we’ve included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
PROs
| Aperture Ring |
| Distance Scale |
| DoF(Depth of Field) Scale |
| Hood supplied |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
Report a correction
Buy Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II from or B&H PHOTO
CONs
| No Weather Sealing |
| No Autofocus |
| Not so fast for a short Prime Lens |
Lens Mount
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is compatible with cameras that have a Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is also available in Canon EF and Pentax KAF mounts.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II has a maximum diameter of 63mm and total length of 52mm. It weighs 320g / 11.3 oz.
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II has a filter thread of 52mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II:
Optical Image Stabilization
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II doesn’t have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR and Nikon Micro-105mm f2.8G IF-ED VR. in Nikon F (FX) mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.
Lenses Similar to Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II With Optical Image Stabilization
| Model | Coverage | Weight | Focusing | Street Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm f3.5G ED VR Compare |
APS-C / DX | 355gr | AF | ||
|
Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f2.8G IF-ED VR Compare |
35mm FF | 720gr | AF | ||
|
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Compare |
35mm FF | 726gr | AF | ||
|
Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD Compare |
35mm FF | 700gr | AF | ||
|
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro Compare |
35mm FF | 609gr | AF | ||
|
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro Compare |
35mm FF | 550gr | AF |
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.29x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.29x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Lens Hood
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Popular Comparisons of Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II
Top Alternatives of Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II Lens
| Model | Coverage | Weight | Focusing | Street Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 F Compare |
35mm FF | 480 g / 1.06 lb | AF | ||
|
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f1.8D Compare |
35mm FF | 380 g / 0.84 lb | AF | ||
|
Schneider PC-TS Macro-Symmar 4.590 HM Compare |
35mm FF | 1,110 g / 2.44 lb | MF | ||
|
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G Compare |
35mm FF | 350 g / 0.77 lb | AF | ||
|
Nikon AF Nikkor 105mm f2D DC Compare |
35mm FF | 640 g / 1.41 lb | AF | ||
|
Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 Compare |
35mm FF | 1,140 g / 2.51 lb | MF | ||
|
Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f2.8G IF-ED VR Compare |
35mm FF | 720 g / 1.58 lb | AF | ||
|
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm F1.4E ED Compare |
35mm FF | 985 g / 2.17 lb | AF |
Sample Images
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/4.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
You can find most of the sample images in full resolution here.
Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH Review:
If you’re in the market for an M mount 35mm lens, there are ton of choices. There are large maximum aperture lenses for people who need the extra light gathering capabilities to ultra compact options for photographers who may want something discreet and easy to carry around. There are also lenses where the main focus is to get the best image quality possible like the new Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH. In fact, according to Voigtlander, the 35 APO not only offers the highest resolution, and best color correction out of their 35mm lenses but they also call it their most powerful 35mm lens of all time. That’s a pretty bold statement, and one that made me very eager to test the 35mm APO. Here’s what I think of it.
Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH Build Quality:
So, let’s take a look at the build quality first, which I have to say, is quite impressive. The APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH retails for $1,149, which is still not a cheap lens but it also feels very much like a Leica lens, which has many of you know, cost quite a bit more. In fact, Leica recently released their new APO-Summicron-M 35mm f2 ASPH, which retails for $8,195. Like the Leica version, the 35mm APO is essentially an all metal design that has been beautifully assembled. The focus ring is probably one of the smoothest I’ve used in quite a while, and offers just the right amount of resistance, at least for me, so the end result is something that not only feels high end but also helps you be precise when you need to do critical focusing. The aperture ring is equally as pleasing to use. It clicks in half stops, and rotates nicely as you go through the selections. There seems to be a very subtle dampening effect as you click through the settings that again, adds to the high end feel of this lens. Bottom line is, this is probably one of the most beautifully made lenses that I’ve used in a while. I am definitely impressed.
As for the size and weight, the APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH is larger than say a 35mm Summicron. In fact, it’s actually closer to a 50mm in terms of size, and very similar to the 50 Lux. It will block some of the viewfinder of an M rangefinder camera but I think if you’re a veteran M user, it won’t bother you too much. I’ve been using Ms for decades, and I didn’t even notice the blockage until I read about it online somewhere haha.
For those who are looking for an ultra compact 35mm, this may not exactly fit the bill but with that said, it’s not huge. It’s not going to weigh you down at the end of the day, and it’s still plenty discreet for all you street photographers out there. In other words, it’s still a reasonable size for a 35mm, and for an M body. Many of you know I am now in the SL system but I have kept my film Ms, and I did actually take this lens out with my M6 TTL Millennium a few times. It worked great, and it was perfectly balanced with my M. What also helps is it weighs 10.7 oz/304 g, so it’s still light enough to carry around all day without feeling fatigue. Also, the nice heft that it has only adds to the high end feel of this lens.
The only thing is it does not come with a lens hood. If you want one, the correct one is the LH-13 Lens Hood, and you’ll need to purchase it separately. I didn’t have one with my loaner, and truthfully, I didn’t need it. I didn’t have any issues with things like flare, for instance.
Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH Verdict:
Overall, the APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH really is probably the best Voigtlander 35mm out so far. It really feels like Voigtlander made every possible effort to create their ultimate 35mm f2 lens. The build is absolutely superb, and the optics are some of the best out there. It’s really a dream lens, and this is coming from a person that doesn’t even like using the 35mm focal length :)! Best of all, the retail price is $1,149, which to me, is very reasonable. I feel it’s even reasonable after you factore in the optional LH-13 Lens Hood, which costs $109. As I mentioned before, the Leica version of this lens costs $8,195.
As for faults or issues, I don’t really see any that would bother me. This is one of my shorter reviews because the truth is, there isn’t much bad that I can say about it. One could argue it’s larger than some 35mm f2 M mount lenses, which is true. But I didn’t even really notice it much until I put it side by side with my 35mm Summicron. The point is, the size is totally manageable, and did not hinder the way that I used it. I’m willing to sacrifice a bit of compactness for the image quality that this lens produces.
Bottom line is the 35mm APO is a superb lens. In my opinion, Voigtlander outdid themselves with this one. If you’re in the market for an M mount 35mm, and you want something that just produces killer photos, I definitely recommend this lens.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review! If you’re considering purchasing the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 ASPH, and my review helped you decide, please help support this site by purchasing from the links below or any mentioned in this review. It will not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your support!
You can also follow me on Instagram, or
Voigtländer APO lenses: The final word
Maybe there are no more bad lenses for M Mount in the current line-up of Leica, Zeiss, and Voigtländer, at least as far as the newer designs are concerned. In my work for The M Files over the past three years, I came across a few lenses that I would not unreservedly recommend while most others were good or very good. In this spectrum, the new Voigtländer APO lenses stand out. They offer excellent optical and mechanical quality, period.
From the trio, I liked the 50/2 APO best. It is reasonably compact, has stunning sharpness, resolution and micro-contrast, and seems to be mechanically impeccable. The 35/2 APO is optically as good as its sibling, but it has the clear disadvantage of obstructing the viewfinder to a considerable degree. The 90/2.8 APO’s USP is its small size and low weight, making it a wonderful travel companion with great optical performance. However, check carefully if it is well adjusted to your rangefinder. At close distance, a front or back focus of two or three centimetres can ruin your image even at f/2.8.
All in all, Voigtländer add some wonderful, affordable options for M Mount users. We should be thankful for that – not only, but also because of Leica’s tendency to test the ultimate limits of the possible at all costs when designing new lenses. In this respect, Voigtländer is filling a gap left by the discontinuation of the Summarit series. The APO lenses with their excellent value for money are a remarkable contribution in this direction (especially since Voigtländer also has more compact lenses in its programme that are likewise very good), and hopefully not the last.
The M Files: Get in-depth knowledge of M-Mount lenses, cameras and suitable accessories
The M Files is an ongoing project on Macfilos that focuses on photographic equipment with or for Leica M-Mount, made by companies other than Leica or which are otherwise not part of Leica’s M system. It follows a more or less encyclopaedic approach without being scientific. The focus is always on the real-life use and useability of cameras, lenses and other items. Products covered by The M Files include cameras, lenses, viewfinders, light meters and more. Some of the brands in the growing list are Contax, Konica, Minolta, Rollei, Voigtländer and Zeiss.
Die M-Files: M-Mount-Objektive, -Kameras und passendes Zubehör jenseits von Leica M
Die M-Files sind ein Langzeit-Projekt, das sich auf Foto-Ausrüstungsteile mit oder für Leica M-Bajonett konzentriert, die von anderen Firmen als Leica hergestellt wurden oder die nicht zum M-System von Leica gehören. Es verfolgt einen mehr oder weniger enzyklopädischen Ansatz, ohne wissenschaftlich zu sein. Der Schwerpunkt liegt immer auf der praktischen Nutzung von Kameras, Objektiven und anderen Produkten. Zu den in den M-Files besprochenen Produkten gehören Kameras, Objektive, Sucher, Belichtungsmesser und mehr. Einige der Marken auf der wachsenden Liste sind Contax, Konica, Minolta, Rollei, Voigtländer und Zeiss. In deutscher Sprache erscheinen die Inhalte auf www.messsucherwelt.com.
Chromatic aberration
lateral
I checked the amout of lateral CA having the lens attached without electronic connection to the camera to suppress built in correction profiles and they are still close to zero and therefore nothing to worry about.
longitudinal
Sony A7rII | Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 E Apo-Lanthar | f/2.0 | minimum focus distance | 50% crop
In close focus scenarios longitudinal CA are hardly visible, but they may also be masked by spherical aberration a bit, so we will have a look how the lens performs at longer focus distances.
Sony A7rII/A7III | Voigtlander 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | f/2.0
Well… It is not like the performance is bad, but considering the Apo tag on the lens and taking into account the performance of previous Apo-Lanthar lenses I can’t say I am impressed. The apochromatic correction was one of the main selling points of this series and here I simply don’t see it. What makes things worse: the M-mount sample I received performed even worse in this category, so you should not expect this being the worst sample you might possibly get.
To be perfectly honest, I would have not given this lens the Apo designation and I don’t think it performs visible better than the Sony FE 35mm 1.4 GM which is a full stop faster (as I don’t have this lens available anymore I cannot perform a direct comparison though).
Alternatives
Some of you may already have the Zeiss Loxia 35mm 2.0 and think about switching. To those of you my recommendation is as follows: if you only use the lens at f/8.0 to f/11 anyway the upgrade won’t yield you a lot of benefits. If on the other hand you want a lens with better performance at wider apertures and a more appealing bokeh rendering the update may very well be worth it.
If you are a dual E-mount/M-mount user and you consider getting the VM version (review coming soon) I can already tell you with this lens the optimization for the thicker filter stack is very obvious. The infinity corner performance of the VM version stopped down never reaches the performance of the E version at f/2.0 when used on an E-mount camera.
If you want to have a general overview over the 35mm E-mount lenses have a look at our rather comprehensive guide on 35mm lenses for Sony FE cameras.
Conclusion
good
|
average
|
not good
high vignetting even stopped down |
Expectations are a strange thing, aren’t they? If something does not meet our (maybe too high) expectations we are easily disappointed, no matter how good the product actually is.
And this is my problem here: I had too high expectations, set by the previous Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar lenses. The thing is, a 65mm f/2.0 and a 50mm f/2.0 are both easier to design than a 35mm f/2.0 and this is what I am seeing here: the longitudinal CA correction is not as good as I expect from a lens carrying an Apo tag. Don’t get me wrong, it is still good, but my no means as excellent as that of the 50mm and 65mm lenses.
Also at the minimum focus distance I would have expected the performance to be a bit better, similar to the 50mm 2.0.
Will these things matter to the typical landscape/architecture shooter this lens is supposed to appeal to? I don’t think so. For these the positive aspects – by which I mean the 35mm 2.0 being a flat-field small manual focus lens with very high resolution and contrast straight from the maximum aperture and low amounts of chromatic aberrations, distortion and coma – will easily outweigh those comparably small negative aspects.
The lens is available from Robert White (UK) | Cameraquest (US) | B&H | ebay.com | ebay.de (affiliate links) and the price is $1149/1099€/£899.
Sample Images
Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/4.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0Voigtländer 35mm 2.0 Apo-Lanthar E | Sony A7III | f/2.0
You can find most of the sample images in full resolution here.
Further Reading
- Sony FE lenses: Our comprehensive and independent guide
- Sony FE lenses: Our guide to portrait lenses from 85 to 135mm
- What makes a picture good?
- Lens aberrations explained
Did you find this article useful or just liked reading it? Treat us to a coffee!via Paypal