Voigtländer LBA - post your pics, notes and thoughts.

les3547 · 06-11-2011, 04:16 PM

The Voigtlander 90mm comes with a little close up lens (and even without it, the VL 90mm lets you focus as close as 20 inches). I've been wondering how the Voigtlander close up lens compares to a Raynox 150 (which I have owned for awhile but not used).

The pictures below of a broken but colorful little glass figurine were shot in JPEG. Also, the VL close up lens magnifies about 15% more than the Raynox 150, so the camera had to be adjusted accordingly, which messed with exposure and caused the shot with the Voigtlander close up lens to overexpose the figurine's neck a little.

The first is the VL90mm, the second picture is taken with the Raynox 150:

To my surprise, the Voigtlander close up lens seems to reveal more detail in every area except where the figurine is overexposed. A crop of the white in the eye or the silver on the throat, for example, shows much more detail from the Voigtlander close up lens.

Another JPEG shot with the VL 90mm and its close up lens:

The good news for someone like me who is only a occasional close up shooter is that the VL90mm is not only a great focal length for close up photography, but a superb lens on its own. I'll be selling my Raynox.

Last edited by les3547; 07-08-2011 at 06:00 PM.

**Digitalis** · 06-11-2011, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

I'd really like the silver Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15/4.5 (including 15mm black viewfinder) for US$460 but it's in L39 mount - can I get an adapter for this to convert this to PK mount or only M42 ? Is the price OK

no that won't be possible the Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Heliar is a rangefinder lens which means it is designed for a registration distance (the distance from the front of the lensmount to the sensor/film) of 27.8mm - A pentax DSLR has a registration distance of 45.46mm - so it's quite impossible to use it for conventional photography on a pentax DSLR

Blue · 06-12-2011, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

no that won't be possible the Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Heliar is a rangefinder lens which means it is designed for a registration distance (the distance from the front of the lensmount to the sensor/film) of 27.8mm - A pentax DSLR has a registration distance of 45.46mm - so it's quite impossible to use it for conventional photography on a pentax DSLR

There are still quite a few people around here that shoot film. He cold Leitax it but that may make the cost even higher. At the end of the day I'm not sure it would be any better than the DA 15mm Ltd.

**Digitalis** · 06-12-2011, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Blue

He cold Leitax it but that may make the cost even higher.

He could leitax it but then he wouldn't be able to achieve infinity focus because of the differential in the focus flange between Leica M mount lenses and Pentax K mount, Leitax converters are for R series SLR Leica lenses -not M series rangefinder lenses.

For the record: the Voigtlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5 ASPH is for rangefinders - it comes with an external viewfinder, which would be completely redundant on an SLR now wouldn't it? optically the VL Heliar 15mm doesn't have any real advantage over the DA15mm f/4. I have used it on a Leica M8 and wasn't really all that impressed.

Last edited by Digitalis; 06-12-2011 at 08:03 AM.

Blue · 06-12-2011, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

He could leitax it but then he wouldn't be able to achieve infinity focus because of the differential in the focus flange between Leica M mount lenses and Pentax K mount, Leitax converters are for R series SLR Leica lenses -not M series rangefinder lenses.

For the record: the Voigtlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5 ASPH is for rangefinders - it comes with an external viewfinder, which would be completely redundant on an SLR now wouldn't it? optically the VL Heliar 15mm doesn't have any real advantage over the DA15mm f/4. I have used it on a Leica M8 and wasn't really all that impressed.

I know it is for rangefinders, that's why I made the film comment. I forgot they only had the Leitax mounts for the R lenses but there is the Leica M m4/3 adapters which would allow the use of the external VF. There are multiple ways to skin cats, its just that some are spendy.

Frogfish · 06-12-2011, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

no that won't be possible the Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Heliar is a rangefinder lens which means it is designed for a registration distance (the distance from the front of the lensmount to the sensor/film) of 27.8mm - A pentax DSLR has a registration distance of 45.46mm - so it's quite impossible to use it for conventional photography on a pentax DSLR

Thanks ! The guys on MFLenses told me the same thing .. such as pity as it's a fantastic lense for an amazing price (even new) that compares very favourably with the Leica equivalent at many times the price.

vinceloc · 06-14-2011, 12:20 AM

I am in the market for a used CV Color Skopar 20/3.5 SLII. Anyone thinking of selling their, please PM me. Thanks!

les3547 · 06-17-2011, 03:58 PM

**jeffshaddix** · 06-17-2011, 10:38 PM

Neat shot & great PP Les, thanks for sharing!

les3547 · 06-18-2011, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

Neat shot & great PP Les, thanks for sharing!

Thank you Jeff. In the evening of that same day, from about the same spot, I looked west and took this one with the VL 58mm. I was trying to capture the ocean moisture that so often engulfs the hills around here (about 14 miles from the Pacific, 60 miles north of San Francisco):

Bart · 06-18-2011, 12:15 PM

Wow. Poster material!
wonderful glow.

les3547 · 07-02-2011, 02:38 PM

The sparkle of and color hydrangea up close seemed like a good subject for an impressionistic interpretation:

lensego · 07-02-2011, 08:24 PM

Hi Les
lovely,super nice,sparkling

les3547 · 07-03-2011, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by Bart

Wow. Poster material!
wonderful glow.

Thank you Bart for the kind words . . . I somehow missed your comment before.

Originally posted by lensego

Hi Les
lovely,super nice,sparkling

Thank you Zoltan, very kind.

vinceloc · 07-05-2011, 05:29 AM

To the users of the Voigt Nokton 58/1.4 SLII: Do you guys use a hood most of the time? I use a hood but would like to know experiences of those that shoot not using a hood since I am contemplating going hoodless (the lens is just too beautiful to hide with a hood! Hehe..). Your comments would be most apreciated. Thanks!

06-11-2011, 04:16 PM	#526
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	Voigtlander 90mm Close Up The Voigtlander 90mm comes with a little close up lens (and even without it, the VL 90mm lets you focus as close as 20 inches). I've been wondering how the Voigtlander close up lens compares to a Raynox 150 (which I have owned for awhile but not used). The pictures below of a broken but colorful little glass figurine were shot in JPEG. Also, the VL close up lens magnifies about 15% more than the Raynox 150, so the camera had to be adjusted accordingly, which messed with exposure and caused the shot with the Voigtlander close up lens to overexpose the figurine's neck a little. The first is the VL90mm, the second picture is taken with the Raynox 150: To my surprise, the Voigtlander close up lens seems to reveal more detail in every area except where the figurine is overexposed. A crop of the white in the eye or the silver on the throat, for example, shows much more detail from the Voigtlander close up lens. Another JPEG shot with the VL 90mm and its close up lens: The good news for someone like me who is only a occasional close up shooter is that the VL90mm is not only a great focal length for close up photography, but a superb lens on its own. I'll be selling my Raynox. Last edited by les3547; 07-08-2011 at 06:00 PM.

06-17-2011, 03:58 PM	#533
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	Voigtlander 58mm Last edited by les3547; 11-16-2012 at 02:50 PM.

06-18-2011, 10:09 AM	#535
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	Voigtlander 58mm Originally posted by jeffshaddix Neat shot & great PP Les, thanks for sharing! Thank you Jeff. In the evening of that same day, from about the same spot, I looked west and took this one with the VL 58mm. I was trying to capture the ocean moisture that so often engulfs the hills around here (about 14 miles from the Pacific, 60 miles north of San Francisco): Last edited by les3547; 11-16-2012 at 02:51 PM.

07-02-2011, 02:38 PM	#537
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	Voigtlander 90mm The sparkle of and color hydrangea up close seemed like a good subject for an impressionistic interpretation: Last edited by les3547; 11-16-2012 at 02:52 PM.

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06-11-2011, 10:56 PM	#527
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Frogfish I'd really like the silver Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15/4.5 (including 15mm black viewfinder) for US$460 but it's in L39 mount - can I get an adapter for this to convert this to PK mount or only M42 ? Is the price OK no that won't be possible the Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Heliar is a rangefinder lens which means it is designed for a registration distance (the distance from the front of the lensmount to the sensor/film) of 27.8mm - A pentax DSLR has a registration distance of 45.46mm - so it's quite impossible to use it for conventional photography on a pentax DSLR

06-12-2011, 07:26 AM	#528
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Digitalis no that won't be possible the Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Heliar is a rangefinder lens which means it is designed for a registration distance (the distance from the front of the lensmount to the sensor/film) of 27.8mm - A pentax DSLR has a registration distance of 45.46mm - so it's quite impossible to use it for conventional photography on a pentax DSLR There are still quite a few people around here that shoot film. He cold Leitax it but that may make the cost even higher. At the end of the day I'm not sure it would be any better than the DA 15mm Ltd.

06-12-2011, 07:56 AM	#529
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Blue He cold Leitax it but that may make the cost even higher. He could leitax it but then he wouldn't be able to achieve infinity focus because of the differential in the focus flange between Leica M mount lenses and Pentax K mount, Leitax converters are for R series SLR Leica lenses -not M series rangefinder lenses. For the record: the Voigtlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5 ASPH is for rangefinders - it comes with an external viewfinder, which would be completely redundant on an SLR now wouldn't it? optically the VL Heliar 15mm doesn't have any real advantage over the DA15mm f/4. I have used it on a Leica M8 and wasn't really all that impressed. Last edited by Digitalis; 06-12-2011 at 08:03 AM.

06-12-2011, 09:30 AM	#530
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Digitalis He could leitax it but then he wouldn't be able to achieve infinity focus because of the differential in the focus flange between Leica M mount lenses and Pentax K mount, Leitax converters are for R series SLR Leica lenses -not M series rangefinder lenses. For the record: the Voigtlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5 ASPH is for rangefinders - it comes with an external viewfinder, which would be completely redundant on an SLR now wouldn't it? optically the VL Heliar 15mm doesn't have any real advantage over the DA15mm f/4. I have used it on a Leica M8 and wasn't really all that impressed. I know it is for rangefinders, that's why I made the film comment. I forgot they only had the Leitax mounts for the R lenses but there is the Leica M m4/3 adapters which would allow the use of the external VF. There are multiple ways to skin cats, its just that some are spendy.

06-12-2011, 09:38 AM	#531
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by Digitalis no that won't be possible the Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Heliar is a rangefinder lens which means it is designed for a registration distance (the distance from the front of the lensmount to the sensor/film) of 27.8mm - A pentax DSLR has a registration distance of 45.46mm - so it's quite impossible to use it for conventional photography on a pentax DSLR Thanks ! The guys on MFLenses told me the same thing .. such as pity as it's a fantastic lense for an amazing price (even new) that compares very favourably with the Leica equivalent at many times the price.

06-14-2011, 12:20 AM	#532
vinceloc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 367	I am in the market for a used CV Color Skopar 20/3.5 SLII. Anyone thinking of selling their, please PM me. Thanks!

06-17-2011, 10:38 PM	#534
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Neat shot & great PP Les, thanks for sharing!

06-18-2011, 12:15 PM	#536
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Wow. Poster material! wonderful glow.

07-02-2011, 08:24 PM	#538
lensego Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PERTH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 50	Hi Les lovely,super nice,sparkling

07-03-2011, 12:56 PM	#539
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	Originally posted by Bart Wow. Poster material! wonderful glow. Thank you Bart for the kind words . . . I somehow missed your comment before. Originally posted by lensego Hi Les lovely,super nice,sparkling Thank you Zoltan, very kind.

07-05-2011, 05:29 AM	#540
vinceloc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 367	To the users of the Voigt Nokton 58/1.4 SLII: Do you guys use a hood most of the time? I use a hood but would like to know experiences of those that shoot not using a hood since I am contemplating going hoodless (the lens is just too beautiful to hide with a hood! Hehe..). Your comments would be most apreciated. Thanks!