Voigtlander 125mm f2.5 Apo Lanthar SL II macro is so sharp!

roentarre · 04-27-2009, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by Miserere

Awesome shots, Ro! Maybe I'll get a hold of one of these sometime...but for now the economy dictates that I continue with my trusty Sigma 105mm f/2.8

The 2nd photo is my favourite. Was is it? Some kind of Ladybird?

Sigma 105mm macro is a good performer. You will be very impressed by it. I tend to consider modern sigma lenses having less than optimal shadow colour in rendering.

Lady bug you mean? I asked some insect guy saying that it is a common south eastern lady bug. The name is too long for me to remember

Originally posted by and

I consider the 125 to be the best lens available for K mount. I had the 180 too but I sold it because of the insanely stiff focusing ring and because the f4 aperture made the VF dim and it was hard to focus the lens. The 125 is a breeze to focus otoh.

Andrea, glad to see you here. You have this lens too and it is surely a blessing to own this lens as a photographer. I have even used it for travel as a medium tele lens. The lens is just a tad heavy to carry. Otherwise, it would be just perfect.

I have tried f8 to f11 with flash work using this lens. Some lastolite reflector can brighten up the background with nice colour with razor sharp details on the bugs being photographed. So it is not a bad thing to try out

Originally posted by stevebrot

Those shots are just too striking. Some credit probably even goes to the photographer!

I always kick myself for not picking up one of the last copies of the 125/2.5 while it was still available from CameraQuest. Oh well, live and learn.

Steve

Steve, thanks for the compliment. Few months ago, I heard rumour that there will be a new batch of 125 macro to be released. Now I think it is not likely at all as there is a plan for Cosina to release all the skopar pancake lenses into the market.

roentarre · 04-27-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by gawan

I love this lens too..

George, this shot rocks! I love the clinicap sharpness against mellowy soft bokeh there.

Originally posted by Jonson PL

Fabulous, some lenses are pure artwork

This lens is simply wonderful. The 2nd hand pricing is coming down lately from 1200 US to 800 US or so. This lens is more popular in the Nikon world.

Originally posted by Digitalis

yeah I'm kicking myself too....especially since the Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro planar on goes down to 1:2 and is nearly three times the price.

Zeiss 100mm f2 macro is a little plasticky in its rendering to my taste. The price of Zeiss 50mm f2 macro in AIS mount is also quite steep. I did not get it a while back because it is also 1:2 macro capability only.

ILoveVerdi · 04-27-2009, 03:19 PM

I will own this lens one day. I have the 90, and it is a joy to use.

**Digitalis** · 04-27-2009, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

Zeiss 100mm f2 macro is a little plasticky in its rendering to my taste. The price of Zeiss 50mm f2 macro in AIS mount is also quite steep. I did not get it a while back because it is also 1:2 macro capability only.

from my experience, most Carl Zeiss lenses are like that Roentarre. But you have to give Zeiss credit, at least they are consistent with each lens they make. The funny thing is that these days Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses are really Cosina products in drag...

frank · 04-27-2009, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

This is an image I took earlier on this year. ISO 800 with aperture wide open f2.5

Here is the 100% crop of the hoverfly

The colour is rich and the bokeh is stunning. Good lens for macro shooting after all.

VL 125mm macro images

It has been sitting on the shelf for too long

That's pretty impressive! Pity you let it rest on the shelf

Bernard Yeo · 04-27-2009, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

This is surely a good lens and I see that a lot of copies are being sold in the marketplace.

Roentarre, BEAUTifully executed. I am not doing justice to this lens (hardly any good ones to show now).

Originally posted by gawan

I love this lens too..

Gawan, Love this shot!

ILoveVerdi · 04-27-2009, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

from my experience, most Carl Zeiss lenses are like that Roentarre. But you have to give Zeiss credit, at least they are consistent with each lens they make. The funny thing is that these days Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses are really Cosina products in drag...

In my ignorance I said to a wiser friend "but Voigtlander is just Cosina in disguise!" he said "yeah, and who do you think makes Zeiss?"

Gotta hand it to Kobayashi-san, he sure knows what a quality lens should be.

**Digitalis** · 04-27-2009, 11:28 PM

I know, life can be so disillusioning at times...

tcom · 04-27-2009, 11:44 PM

Congratulations for all your great photos.

The 125/2.5 is indeed a great lens.

Here a few shots from sunday:

Zav · 04-27-2009, 11:59 PM

Probably the best piece of glass I've ever used!

And I love using it as a short tele!

aliquis · 05-16-2010, 11:17 AM

SL II? Is it or is it not in manufacturing nowadays?

**Digitalis** · 05-16-2010, 05:09 PM

yes it was discontinued a few years back...probably the shortest period of production for any lens. and because of that it commands a high price on the markets due to it's rarity and it's absolutely superb optics.

aliquis · 05-17-2010, 04:20 AM

Just wondered because wikipedia listed it under SL as a cooperation with cosina or something and then that they ended that line when cosina started making lenses for zeiss and then they had a new sl II line but the macro was listed under the first sl line.

So I thought that maybe they had brought it back in the new sl II line.

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04-27-2009, 03:07 PM	#16
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783 Original Poster	Originally posted by Miserere Awesome shots, Ro! Maybe I'll get a hold of one of these sometime...but for now the economy dictates that I continue with my trusty Sigma 105mm f/2.8 The 2nd photo is my favourite. Was is it? Some kind of Ladybird? Sigma 105mm macro is a good performer. You will be very impressed by it. I tend to consider modern sigma lenses having less than optimal shadow colour in rendering. Lady bug you mean? I asked some insect guy saying that it is a common south eastern lady bug. The name is too long for me to remember Originally posted by and I consider the 125 to be the best lens available for K mount. I had the 180 too but I sold it because of the insanely stiff focusing ring and because the f4 aperture made the VF dim and it was hard to focus the lens. The 125 is a breeze to focus otoh. Andrea, glad to see you here. You have this lens too and it is surely a blessing to own this lens as a photographer. I have even used it for travel as a medium tele lens. The lens is just a tad heavy to carry. Otherwise, it would be just perfect. I have tried f8 to f11 with flash work using this lens. Some lastolite reflector can brighten up the background with nice colour with razor sharp details on the bugs being photographed. So it is not a bad thing to try out Originally posted by stevebrot Those shots are just too striking. Some credit probably even goes to the photographer! I always kick myself for not picking up one of the last copies of the 125/2.5 while it was still available from CameraQuest. Oh well, live and learn. Steve Steve, thanks for the compliment. Few months ago, I heard rumour that there will be a new batch of 125 macro to be released. Now I think it is not likely at all as there is a plan for Cosina to release all the skopar pancake lenses into the market.

04-27-2009, 03:11 PM	#17
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783 Original Poster	Originally posted by gawan I love this lens too.. George, this shot rocks! I love the clinicap sharpness against mellowy soft bokeh there. Originally posted by Jonson PL Fabulous, some lenses are pure artwork This lens is simply wonderful. The 2nd hand pricing is coming down lately from 1200 US to 800 US or so. This lens is more popular in the Nikon world. Originally posted by Digitalis yeah I'm kicking myself too....especially since the Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro planar on goes down to 1:2 and is nearly three times the price. Zeiss 100mm f2 macro is a little plasticky in its rendering to my taste. The price of Zeiss 50mm f2 macro in AIS mount is also quite steep. I did not get it a while back because it is also 1:2 macro capability only.

04-27-2009, 03:19 PM	#18
ILoveVerdi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI. USA. Earth. Posts: 139	I will own this lens one day. I have the 90, and it is a joy to use.

04-27-2009, 04:53 PM	#19
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by roentarre Zeiss 100mm f2 macro is a little plasticky in its rendering to my taste. The price of Zeiss 50mm f2 macro in AIS mount is also quite steep. I did not get it a while back because it is also 1:2 macro capability only. from my experience, most Carl Zeiss lenses are like that Roentarre. But you have to give Zeiss credit, at least they are consistent with each lens they make. The funny thing is that these days Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses are really Cosina products in drag...

04-27-2009, 08:30 PM	#20
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by roentarre This is an image I took earlier on this year. ISO 800 with aperture wide open f2.5 Here is the 100% crop of the hoverfly The colour is rich and the bokeh is stunning. Good lens for macro shooting after all. VL 125mm macro images It has been sitting on the shelf for too long That's pretty impressive! Pity you let it rest on the shelf

04-27-2009, 08:33 PM	#21
Bernard Yeo Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 62	Originally posted by roentarre This is surely a good lens and I see that a lot of copies are being sold in the marketplace. Roentarre, BEAUTifully executed. I am not doing justice to this lens (hardly any good ones to show now). Originally posted by gawan I love this lens too.. Gawan, Love this shot!

04-27-2009, 08:43 PM	#22
ILoveVerdi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI. USA. Earth. Posts: 139	Originally posted by Digitalis from my experience, most Carl Zeiss lenses are like that Roentarre. But you have to give Zeiss credit, at least they are consistent with each lens they make. The funny thing is that these days Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses are really Cosina products in drag... In my ignorance I said to a wiser friend "but Voigtlander is just Cosina in disguise!" he said "yeah, and who do you think makes Zeiss?" Gotta hand it to Kobayashi-san, he sure knows what a quality lens should be.

04-27-2009, 11:28 PM	#23
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I know, life can be so disillusioning at times...

04-27-2009, 11:44 PM	#24
tcom Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Switzerland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,293	Congratulations for all your great photos. The 125/2.5 is indeed a great lens. Here a few shots from sunday:

04-27-2009, 11:59 PM	#25
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Probably the best piece of glass I've ever used! And I love using it as a short tele!

05-16-2010, 11:17 AM	#26
aliquis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Örebro Posts: 207	SL II? Is it or is it not in manufacturing nowadays?

05-16-2010, 05:09 PM	#27
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	yes it was discontinued a few years back...probably the shortest period of production for any lens. and because of that it commands a high price on the markets due to it's rarity and it's absolutely superb optics.

05-17-2010, 04:20 AM	#28
aliquis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Örebro Posts: 207	Just wondered because wikipedia listed it under SL as a cooperation with cosina or something and then that they ended that line when cosina started making lenses for zeiss and then they had a new sl II line but the macro was listed under the first sl line. So I thought that maybe they had brought it back in the new sl II line.