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**jpzk** · 11-30-2012, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by wanderography

the above images details are off the charts, surprised more people don't shoot the SLii series on pentax cameras and do your rarely ever read about people using them. I was going to pick up the 58 or 90 but decided to just stay with the two pancakes and move on to some F series zooms as these two lenses seriously cover my needs for primes. Here's some more shots with my twins...

What do you guys recommend for outdoors/portraits ... Nokton 58/1.4 or the APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII ?
I've experienced "focus shift" with my Zeiss T-Planar 85/1.4 and although one has to get used to it, I am not !

JP

wanderography · 11-30-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

What do you guys recommend for outdoors/portraits ... Nokton 58/1.4 or the APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII ?
I've experienced "focus shift" with my Zeiss T-Planar 85/1.4 and although one has to get used to it, I am not !

JP

I haven't tried either of those lenses I find I'm able to get everything I need done with the 20 and 40 which is a 30 and 60 on aps-c, a wide standard and a short portrait. On FF I could live with just the 40 and never change it...

kaipa · 12-10-2012, 02:52 AM

Few from Voigtlander Color Ultron 50/1.8 (m42). All wide open.

Some remarks.

The lens is sharp at f1.8, if focused properly. I did not tried it at other apertures, since it is 'auto' lens, and it requires some surgery to block the aperture pin. The bokeh is gaussian to my view, very smooth. Colors are natural.

The mechanical part of the lens is quite perfect, however. It is made in Singapore, and my copy has both rings very loose, especially the aperture one. I disassembled it -- it looks like a construction issue. If placed in a different body, it could be a killer lens, optics are just outstanding (e.g. the twin Carl Zeiss Ultron 50/1.8)

alan_smithee_photos · 12-13-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

What do you guys recommend for outdoors/portraits ... Nokton 58/1.4 or the APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII ?

JP

I have them both. If I could only have one it'd be the Nokton, hands down. I use this lens more than any other for portraits and it's wonderful outdoors. The 90 is great, too. But I prefer the feel of the Nokton, it's a real pleasure to use. I just end up zooming with my feet as needed.

APO-Lanthar 90mm 3.5 SLII

Nokton 58mm 1.4 SLII

(like I said, I just use it more)

vinceloc · 12-16-2012, 03:01 AM - **1 Like**

APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII

Ivan_M · 12-19-2012, 02:27 PM

Hi guys, I'm considering VL lens, my local shop has 40mm and 90mm in stock but only 1 piece of each and than none. I would love to buy both, but can afford only one. I have now: kit zoom, M 35/2,8 and Helios 58mm/2. I thing that 90mm would be better because I do not have such FL and it is macro that I'm missing also. 40mm would overlap my kit zoom and it is very close to M35 which is too long on digital when shooting indoors, but is is such a small glass and it might be good when travelling. I love MF and occasionally shot on film and it is hard to find lens that would appeal to me on both systems.

les3547 · 12-19-2012, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by Ivan_M

Hi guys, I'm considering VL lens, my local shop has 40mm and 90mm in stock but only 1 piece of each and than none. I would love to buy both, but can afford only one. I have now: kit zoom, M 35/2,8 and Helios 58mm/2. I thing that 90mm would be better because I do not have such FL and it is macro that I'm missing also. 40mm would overlap my kit zoom and it is very close to M35 which is too long on digital when shooting indoors, but is is such a small glass and it might be good when travelling. I love MF and occasionally shot on film and it is hard to find lens that would appeal to me on both systems.

Your kit logic for buying the 90 sounds good to me, and I'll add that it is my favorite lens (or possibly tied with my Contax 28mm). It is the sharpest lens I own, gets close up, renders color beautifully, and is quite compact for a 90. You can't go wrong.

Ivan_M · 12-29-2012, 12:20 PM

So my APO Lathar is home! I did a few quick shots and they seems amazing. Vibrant colours and sharpness is at f3,5 absolutely amazing at the entire photo. The focusing ring is sooo nice to hold, it is like butter. Combined with O-ME53 magnifying eyecup focusing is a breeze.
I will post some pictures later!

Ivan_M · 12-30-2012, 01:56 PM

Here are some shots from today, I'm really enjoying it, the way it renders green colour is just amazing.
The first one is with close-up lens attached

no PP was applied, they were shoot by K-30 into jpg and than resized to fit here

**jeffshaddix** · 12-31-2012, 03:22 PM

Nice shots Ivan! The 90mm is a great tool, I may end up with one eventually.

Doyle_wolf · 01-06-2013, 07:18 AM - **1 Like**

recently gotten my first VL 58/1.4

shot to show how lovely it is..
f1.4

f4

f8

Ivan_M · 01-06-2013, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

Nice shots Ivan! The 90mm is a great tool, I may end up with one eventually.

Thank you! The more I use it the more I love it, some pictures from recent days, mostly by me but my wife have also taken a few

My daughter:

I'm definitely into VL and saving for 40/2 ultron as it is still available new. Than I will buy 20/3,5 color skopar as I know one person who is willing to sell it. Not sure if I should also get Noktor, as MF with such a fast lens is not easy task, but I will see what my LBA dictates me

Edit: the only thing that I hate about it is the need to set manually focal length at each start of the camera, where is only 85mm to choose from, then I have to manually set correct exif info at home, which is REALLY boring

alan_smithee_photos · 01-18-2013, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by Ivan_M

Rotten by Ivan Moc, on Flickr

That shot is awesome.

Originally posted by Ivan_M

I'm definitely into VL and saving for 40/2 ultron as it is still available new. Than I will buy 20/3,5 color skopar as I know one person who is willing to sell it. Not sure if I should also get Noktor, as MF with such a fast lens is not easy task, but I will see what my LBA dictates me

I still lust after both the 40mm and the 20mm, but let me put in my vote for the Nokton. It is by far my most used lens and my favorite for portraits.

**dunerunner** · 03-05-2013, 02:41 PM

Just picked up my second VL, a 58 1.4. Had a 40mm but did not use that focal length that much. Got the Nokton mostly for shooting my grandkids in difficult light situations. So far I love it.

**jeffshaddix** · 03-06-2013, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by dunerunner

Just picked up my second VL, a 58 1.4. Had a 40mm but did not use that focal length that much. Got the Nokton mostly for shooting my grandkids in difficult light situations. So far I love it.

Congrats! It's a great lens. I like shooting @ f/2.2.

12-16-2012, 03:01 AM - 1 Like	#815
vinceloc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 367	APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII Last edited by vinceloc; 12-16-2012 at 03:07 AM.

01-06-2013, 02:06 PM	#822
Ivan_M Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Czech Republic (EU) Posts: 44	Originally posted by jeffshaddix Nice shots Ivan! The 90mm is a great tool, I may end up with one eventually. Thank you! The more I use it the more I love it, some pictures from recent days, mostly by me but my wife have also taken a few My daughter: I'm definitely into VL and saving for 40/2 ultron as it is still available new. Than I will buy 20/3,5 color skopar as I know one person who is willing to sell it. Not sure if I should also get Noktor, as MF with such a fast lens is not easy task, but I will see what my LBA dictates me Edit: the only thing that I hate about it is the need to set manually focal length at each start of the camera, where is only 85mm to choose from, then I have to manually set correct exif info at home, which is REALLY boring Last edited by Ivan_M; 01-06-2013 at 02:13 PM.

03-05-2013, 02:41 PM	#824
dunerunner Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Black Hills Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,109	Just picked up my second VL, a 58 1.4. Had a 40mm but did not use that focal length that much. Got the Nokton mostly for shooting my grandkids in difficult light situations. So far I love it. Last edited by dunerunner; 03-06-2013 at 07:06 AM.

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11-30-2012, 08:42 PM	#811
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by wanderography the above images details are off the charts, surprised more people don't shoot the SLii series on pentax cameras and do your rarely ever read about people using them. I was going to pick up the 58 or 90 but decided to just stay with the two pancakes and move on to some F series zooms as these two lenses seriously cover my needs for primes. Here's some more shots with my twins... What do you guys recommend for outdoors/portraits ... Nokton 58/1.4 or the APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII ? I've experienced "focus shift" with my Zeiss T-Planar 85/1.4 and although one has to get used to it, I am not ! JP

11-30-2012, 08:59 PM	#812
wanderography Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hayward, California, USA Posts: 567	Originally posted by jpzk What do you guys recommend for outdoors/portraits ... Nokton 58/1.4 or the APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII ? I've experienced "focus shift" with my Zeiss T-Planar 85/1.4 and although one has to get used to it, I am not ! JP I haven't tried either of those lenses I find I'm able to get everything I need done with the 20 and 40 which is a 30 and 60 on aps-c, a wide standard and a short portrait. On FF I could live with just the 40 and never change it...

12-10-2012, 02:52 AM	#813
kaipa Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Zhukovsky,Russia / SF Bay Area Posts: 249	Few from Voigtlander Color Ultron 50/1.8 (m42). All wide open. Some remarks. The lens is sharp at f1.8, if focused properly. I did not tried it at other apertures, since it is 'auto' lens, and it requires some surgery to block the aperture pin. The bokeh is gaussian to my view, very smooth. Colors are natural. The mechanical part of the lens is quite perfect, however. It is made in Singapore, and my copy has both rings very loose, especially the aperture one. I disassembled it -- it looks like a construction issue. If placed in a different body, it could be a killer lens, optics are just outstanding (e.g. the twin Carl Zeiss Ultron 50/1.8)

12-13-2012, 01:33 PM	#814
alan_smithee_photos Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 844	Originally posted by jpzk What do you guys recommend for outdoors/portraits ... Nokton 58/1.4 or the APO Lanthar 90/3.5 SLII ? JP I have them both. If I could only have one it'd be the Nokton, hands down. I use this lens more than any other for portraits and it's wonderful outdoors. The 90 is great, too. But I prefer the feel of the Nokton, it's a real pleasure to use. I just end up zooming with my feet as needed. APO-Lanthar 90mm 3.5 SLII Nokton 58mm 1.4 SLII (like I said, I just use it more)

12-19-2012, 02:27 PM	#816
Ivan_M Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Czech Republic (EU) Posts: 44	Hi guys, I'm considering VL lens, my local shop has 40mm and 90mm in stock but only 1 piece of each and than none. I would love to buy both, but can afford only one. I have now: kit zoom, M 35/2,8 and Helios 58mm/2. I thing that 90mm would be better because I do not have such FL and it is macro that I'm missing also. 40mm would overlap my kit zoom and it is very close to M35 which is too long on digital when shooting indoors, but is is such a small glass and it might be good when travelling. I love MF and occasionally shot on film and it is hard to find lens that would appeal to me on both systems.

12-19-2012, 02:54 PM	#817
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	Originally posted by Ivan_M Hi guys, I'm considering VL lens, my local shop has 40mm and 90mm in stock but only 1 piece of each and than none. I would love to buy both, but can afford only one. I have now: kit zoom, M 35/2,8 and Helios 58mm/2. I thing that 90mm would be better because I do not have such FL and it is macro that I'm missing also. 40mm would overlap my kit zoom and it is very close to M35 which is too long on digital when shooting indoors, but is is such a small glass and it might be good when travelling. I love MF and occasionally shot on film and it is hard to find lens that would appeal to me on both systems. Your kit logic for buying the 90 sounds good to me, and I'll add that it is my favorite lens (or possibly tied with my Contax 28mm). It is the sharpest lens I own, gets close up, renders color beautifully, and is quite compact for a 90. You can't go wrong.

12-29-2012, 12:20 PM	#818
Ivan_M Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Czech Republic (EU) Posts: 44	So my APO Lathar is home! I did a few quick shots and they seems amazing. Vibrant colours and sharpness is at f3,5 absolutely amazing at the entire photo. The focusing ring is sooo nice to hold, it is like butter. Combined with O-ME53 magnifying eyecup focusing is a breeze. I will post some pictures later!

12-31-2012, 03:22 PM	#820
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Nice shots Ivan! The 90mm is a great tool, I may end up with one eventually.

01-06-2013, 07:18 AM - 1 Like	#821
Doyle_wolf New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 18	recently gotten my first VL 58/1.4 shot to show how lovely it is.. f1.4 f4 f8

01-18-2013, 03:42 PM	#823
alan_smithee_photos Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 844	Originally posted by Ivan_M Rotten by Ivan Moc, on Flickr That shot is awesome. Originally posted by Ivan_M I'm definitely into VL and saving for 40/2 ultron as it is still available new. Than I will buy 20/3,5 color skopar as I know one person who is willing to sell it. Not sure if I should also get Noktor, as MF with such a fast lens is not easy task, but I will see what my LBA dictates me I still lust after both the 40mm and the 20mm, but let me put in my vote for the Nokton. It is by far my most used lens and my favorite for portraits.

03-06-2013, 07:03 PM	#825
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by dunerunner Just picked up my second VL, a 58 1.4. Had a 40mm but did not use that focal length that much. Got the Nokton mostly for shooting my grandkids in difficult light situations. So far I love it. Congrats! It's a great lens. I like shooting @ f/2.2.

Voigtländer LBA - post your pics, notes and thoughts.

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