Voigtlander Lanther

iunknown · 07-11-2008, 10:06 AM

I just saw in EBAY about a new Voigtlander Lanther SL 125 for sale. There are bids upto $900 now and another 4 more days to go. Definitely it will go high.

My question: How much is Voigtlander Lanthar really worth? (I know it may be subjective)..

Can you compare Voigtlander Lanthar with Vivitar Series 1 for the Marco capabilities? I know Vivitar is a little shorter, but can they comparable in terms of sharpenss and bokeh..?

Also for regular portraits, are they in the same league as Pentax 77mm limited or Zeiss 85mm Planar?

-IU

07-11-2008, 11:08 AM

IMO it's one of the best and most complete lenses in the world:

Voigtlander SL 125mm f/2.5 APO-Lanthar - Test Report / Review

Radu

**J.Scott** · 07-11-2008, 11:25 AM

It's worth will be up to the folks that bid on it as it has been out of production for some time now. I think I paid $740 for mine last year so that's what they were worth when available. It wouldn't surprise me if it goes for $1000. I don't own a Vivitar Series 1 to make a comparison but check out this site and others for images produced by this jewel of a lens.

I won't be parting with mine any time soon.

iunknown · 07-11-2008, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by J.Scott

....
I won't be parting with mine any time soon.

Thats sad...

: (for me..)

I thought of asking you whether you are interested in selling it....

-IU

thePiRaTE!! · 07-11-2008, 12:45 PM

VL125 Cliff notes -

- Impeccable sharpness in in-focus areas and infinity, even wide open (f2.5)
- buttery, smooth bokeh
- very nice color and contrast
- top drawer build quality

I've also read the the Viv is a great lens and have similarly watched its price rise fom dirt to 500+ in the same span as the VL125. I cannot see any reason to expect either of these lenses to come back down in price, and from the pics I've seen, I'd say the Viv is probably still a steal. The Lanthar is about where its going to stay I'd guess (1000-1200USD) Might go a bit higher based on condition.

Lots of info here - Voigtländer LBA - post your pics, notes and thoughts.

My edit in esponse to your edit - Its a fine portrait lens if you stand back off your subject, but being a macro, it has a an extreme manual focus range (over 600 degrees rotation from infinity to 1:1). This isn't for spontaneous shooting, though the results are great.

ricosuave · 07-11-2008, 02:56 PM

i used to have viv 105 but the 125 is one of those grail lenses.

here's how i would rate them:

viv 105: 7/10

v 125: 10/10.

Shashinki · 07-11-2008, 05:19 PM

I bought mine new for 700 buckaroos not long ago. USD$900....? You gotta be kidding me!
Edit: Maybe the Canon version, but that is a rarity in itself.

**roentarre** · 07-11-2008, 11:05 PM

I bought it for 550 including postage when it first came out. I guessed it would be quite priceless now.

CJSpangler · 07-12-2008, 08:30 AM

good to see the voiglanters getting such price appreciation, not like I would ever sell mine. The 125 is a great lense, I paid $1000 for the VL 125 and the 180 - think it worked out to be 600 for the 125, 350 for the 180 and I covered the 4-5 % of ebay fees for credit card payment. Purchased it in the marketplace on the forums back in the fall (Oct maybe) of 2007.

iunknown · 07-14-2008, 03:53 PM

I was trying to bid this on EBAY and found that the current price is $1150.

Too bad that it is out of my price range !!!!

I was ready to put $900 - $1000 for this lens...

Now I am going to get either a Pentax 77mm or a Zeiss 85mm...

-IU

gtmerideth · 07-14-2008, 04:58 PM

Canon mount listed at CameraQuest (3 only remaining) at $1400.
g.

ricosuave · 07-15-2008, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by iunknown

I was trying to bid this on EBAY and found that the current price is $1150.

Too bad that it is out of my price range !!!!

I was ready to put $900 - $1000 for this lens...

Now I am going to get either a Pentax 77mm or a Zeiss 85mm...

-IU

there's one currently for $980.

rparmar · 07-15-2008, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by ricosuave

i used to have viv 105 but the 125 is one of those grail lenses.

here's how i would rate them:

viv 105: 7/10

v 125: 10/10.

As a Vivi Series 1 105mm owner I would like to see some justification for this. Compared to my other lenses (FA43, FA77) this certainly could not be rated much less... maybe more even. I guess this means you think most lenses are only average?

Or more likely you're just hyping the Voigtlander too much.

gavinhw · 07-15-2008, 09:45 AM

The Voigtlaender/Voigtlander Lanthar SL 125 F2.5 is indeed a wonderful lens! To wit,

1) Virtually no aberrations/distortion
2) Does 1:1
3) Super sharp, starting at F2.5. I mean SHARP.
4) Creamy creamy bokeh. I mean CREAMY.
5) Impeccable metal construction

I bought mine just before it became no longer readily available. I regret not buying two!

I also happen to own a Kiron 105 F2.8. But it's been 15 years since I've used it. Time to dust it off and do some comparisons!

Here're some weekend shots, taken with the Lanthar in harsh sunlight, F2.8. The first:

"Portrait of a Man" by Louise Solecki Weir. Ceramic. [I need to lighten up the eyes/eye socket area.]

The second:

"Individustrialism" by Mario Armitano. Bronze.

This obligatory flower shot was taken a few weekends back, in direct sunlight, F3.5. Nice bokeh!

rparmar · 07-15-2008, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by gavinhw

1) Virtually no aberrations/distortion
2) Does 1:1
3) Super sharp, starting at F2.5. I mean SHARP.
4) Creamy creamy bokeh. I mean CREAMY.
5) Impeccable metal construction

You mean like this?

Originally Posted by gavinhw

I also happen to own a Kiron 105 F2.8. But it's been 15 years since I've used it. Time to dust it off and do some comparisons!

That would be useful. And if you don't like it you can pass it on to someone who can use it and gain $400 in the bargain!