NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: jhinkey on April 24, 2017, 15:53:04
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Since I tend to use the 135/2 Zeiss stopped down a bit to f/2.8 (to get a little DOF back) for candids - is the 125/2.5 CV a smaller, lighter-weight substitute in this case?
Is it worth having for $2K or so that the Nikon mount version seems to be going for these days?
This would be used on my A7RII for candids. My 135/3.4 APO Telyt is also fantastic, but sometimes f/3.4 is just a little slow or has too much DOF.
Thanks -
John
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Wouldn't it be handy to have auto focus? 135 2.0 DC :)
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If you plan to go for the APO Lanthar I would suggest to get one with a Canon EF mount, all digital so much more future proof on mirrorless.
Downside is that there's no aperture ring, on the flip side adapters are very cheap as they only have to extend the CPU contacts vs operating an aperture mechanism.
The EF mount is also lot cheaper than the F mount, also a nice :)
Here's mine on an older a7R.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2903/14359582395_dcb222e0c3_c.jpg)
Hipstamatic app on iPhone 5
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John, if you are after narrow DOF, wouldn't it be nice to try the new Sigma 135/1.8? I did not, yet, but anybody, maybe? LZ
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Here a couple of shot of Jakovic with the 125 APO Lanthar.
With focus on the Df, wide-open (as usual):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3890/15361012305_344d14be69_o.jpg)
On a7S, Netherlands 2014
Focus on the butterfly :)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5570/14473070882_3c2136b402_o.jpg)
On a7R, Montenegro 2014
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:o lovely BW with that butterfly! 125/2.5 APO-Macro-Lanthar is a lens I lust over but just can't rationalise to buy. I'm a uni brat and starving myself for 6 months probably would do... but nah.
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I was lucky, bought mine new in box for €600 only a few years ago because the seller didn't know what we was selling and already made his profits on the other lenses in the collectors batch he was selling. It was supposed to a Canon FD version but when I opened the box it turned out to be the latest EF mount, luckily I didn't buy the adapter before hand (although I do have the Canon 85/1.2 FD now).
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Since I tend to use the 135/2 Zeiss stopped down a bit to f/2.8 (to get a little DOF back) for candids - is the 125/2.5 CV a smaller, lighter-weight substitute in this case?
Is it worth having for $2K or so that the Nikon mount version seems to be going for these days?
John
I have both - I got the Zeiss when there was a closing down sale saving Aus$400 and the CV for about Aus$1500.
Hard to say if it is worth an extra $2K if you already had the Zeiss - but it is definitely smaller although height and weight are similar. The Zeiss has considerably more girth. Hood on Zeiss is huge.
I've written about them before - the Zeiss 'more' Apo and higher macro and micro contrast. The CV though less 'crisp' adds some character which is 'elegant' - terrible descriptions but I think defines it.
FWIW I travel overseas with the CV - never with Zeiss because of size.
JJ
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Wouldn't it be handy to have auto focus? 135 2.0 DC :)
I've been down the 135/2 DC route and I wish never to go back :(
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If you plan to go for the APO Lanthar I would suggest to get one with a Canon EF mount, all digital so much more future proof on mirrorless.
Downside is that there's no aperture ring, on the flip side adapters are very cheap as they only have to extend the CPU contacts vs operating an aperture mechanism.
The EF mount is also lot cheaper than the F mount, also a nice :)
Here's mine on an older a7R.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2903/14359582395_dcb222e0c3_c.jpg)
Hipstamatic app on iPhone 5
Wow - didn't even think about the EF mount option for my A7RII. I'll look into that.
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John, for a while the EF mounts were more common (and cheaper) but have not seen one recently. I tell a lie :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Voigtlander-MACRO-APO-LANTHAR-125mm-f-2-5-SL-MF-Lens-for-Canon-EOS-/332192808589?hash=item4d583bfe8d:g:HUQAAOSwcUBYIUFN
Maybe J.A. has done a for the EF mount that B.R. did for the F mount >:( , Since I am looking in the price range for a 135mm for the Sony , I will expand my search ;) . I've actually never owned a Canon, or Canon mount, lens.
Tom
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Tom
My friend has an Emount CV which I convinced him to buy
I would still try to get the Nikon mount - it has the aperture ring which can be used on Nikon cameras and with an adaptor on the Sony - except without the Exif data
JJ
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Thanks JJ, I just made the point about the Nikon use in an email to J.A. I sort of try to keep track of exif (easier using the Techart adapter) but not critical. I did get the price of the Batis 135 2.8 down to below US price ;) . Not arriving in India for another couple of weeks and of course I get the Zeiss 3 year warranty. Looks like I should have purchased the guy's set of three Voigt APO's for Nikon but had not sold my gear so lack of funds at the time ;)
How's life ?
Tom
Edit: I just received a very fast reply from the seller for the linked lens and he cannot be certain that it would arrive in UK in time :(
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The CV-125 mm is a macro lens, while the Zeiss you mention, the 135mm APO f/2 is not. These two lenses are not similar and I have used both for years. The Zeiss is better corrected, sharper by far, but it's closest distance is something like 2.62 feet, hardly close. You can put a small amount of extension (K1 ring, 5.8mm) on the 135mm, and the Zeiss is a much better lens. That being said, the CV-125 is a better walk-around/tripod macro lens, but the IQ is not even close, IMO.
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Wow - didn't even think about the EF mount option for my A7RII. I'll look into that.
Just don't go for the Commlite adapter, it can't handle f/2.5 and will register it as 2.8, the Metabones works as designed but is also a lot more expensive (but also firmware upgradeable). But there are plenty alternatives out there nowadays.
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Interesting. This popped up recently:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Voigtlander-MACRO-APO-LANTHAR-125mm-F2-5-SL-for-Nikon-Ai-s-Boxed-Japan-/172647179623?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=8mCYznGpHFt5BmYgwzHjUEW3qLI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
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The cheapest I've seen for a while. There was no way they could get it to me in the window of my wife's UK trip and she will not be going back until 2018.
The sad thing is that I do not even know the lens specific questions to ask :( , Since I am going to be paying that for a 135mm , it sounded interesting.
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John, if you are after narrow DOF, wouldn't it be nice to try the new Sigma 135/1.8? I did not, yet, but anybody, maybe? LZ
Sigma 135 f1,8 is highly recommendable for people other then John ;)
I think what John is after is downsizing on the Zeiss. The Sigma is big and heavy, takes a lot of space, but the image results are awesome. Kristina owns it
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4162/33526355894_91fb8a18af_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/T5BkyS)DSC_3144 (https://flic.kr/p/T5BkyS) by Amy Lumi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137353445@N07/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2824/34326849256_4a2896c73c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Uim5my)DSC_3065 (https://flic.kr/p/Uim5my) by Amy Lumi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137353445@N07/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2814/33557621483_7b701204f0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/T8nzJK)DSC_3168 (https://flic.kr/p/T8nzJK) by Amy Lumi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137353445@N07/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2812/34326800406_ae89f51fe3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UikPQj)DSC_3247 (https://flic.kr/p/UikPQj) by Amy Lumi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137353445@N07/), on Flickr
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Interesting. This popped up recently:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Voigtlander-MACRO-APO-LANTHAR-125mm-F2-5-SL-for-Nikon-Ai-s-Boxed-Japan-/172647179623?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=8mCYznGpHFt5BmYgwzHjUEW3qLI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
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The cheapest I've seen for a while.
That's about what I paid for mine recently, minus the box, hood, etc.
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Buddy
Great shots with the Sigma although I think with your skill and lighting any of the 125/135mm would have done this!
JJ
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Buddy
Great shots with the Sigma although I think with your skill and lighting any of the 125/135mm would have done this!
JJ
Here i was admiring the photos and I forgot to comment on them. I particularly like the middle two, especially #3.
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I have owned both lenses for several months now (the CV 125 for almost 2 years, the Zeiss Apo 135 for maybe 4 months).
If I were to select one lens to own, over the other, it would be the CV 125, hands-down, no contest (it does almost everything the Zeiss does, as good as or better than, and then some).
In the Zeiss' favor, it is sharper and contrastier (JJChan and Michael Erlewine give some general feedback in this regard), but the bokeh is not as smooth ... and sometimes the color/contrast are too much.
The bottom line is this: if you do not shoot close-focus, the Zeiss is the better lens.
However, if you shoot close-focus, or are into macro in any way, the Voigtländer Apo Macro is the way to go. It isn't even a contest.
Since my photography is mostly macro, at 1;1 or greater, the Zeiss sits around and doesn't get used much.
If I am shooting macro over 1;1, say 1:2 or 1:4, sometimes both lenses tell me they want to be used.
Here are the differences in 70mm [1:2 lifesize subjects. The first two images were taken with the Zeiss 135 Apo + 12mm ext; the second two images were taken with the CV 125 (all shots @f/4).]
All involve the same subject, taken the same day, all are stacks, all with different perspectives.
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If you like the Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 APO-Lanthar (CV-125) on the Nikon D810, you will love this lens on the new Nikon D850. The combination of those extra pixels and whatever that new camera does brings the CV-125 to new heights, especially in sharpness. It looks like this lens has a renewed life on the D850.
The following image is with this lens on the D850:
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Why do you keep trying to make me spend money, Michael? :'(
I bought both lenses, and (soon) the D850, because of your input ;D
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Why do you keep trying to make me spend money, Michael? :'(
I bought both lenses, and (soon) the D850, because of your input ;D
The reason is simple. We are kindred spirits, both naturalists who do photography. I am still examining the D850, but it begins to look like a HUGE bargain, unless we find some Achilles heel. That it would seemingly enhance lenses that I already have makes sense, although I was not wise enough to anticipate that. It makes the CV-125 sing.
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I can live with that.
I can't sell the D810 though ... but will add a D850 by Christmas, in anticipation of the new season.
I am still exploring the differences between the CV 125 and the Zeiss 135.
Mostly, for what I do (1:2 and closer) the CV 125 remains my go-to lens ... but the Zeiss is so good, I just keep it around, in case I need it.
Even with a 20mm extender, I think it's sharper than the Cv 125 ... however, the color/saturation with the Zeiss is almost too much ... whereas I think the color/saturation/bokeh is more exact/sublime with the Voigtländer.
Just mho.
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I bought both lenses, and (soon) the D850, because of your input ;D
Stop complaining, pull out the plastic and place your order but first please observe one minute of silent meditation for those of us who cannot afford all of the fine tools we need.
Dave who's quest for the Holy Grail ended with a Dixie Cup in hand.
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I can't sell the D810 though ... but will add a D850 by Christmas, in anticipation of the new season.
I am still exploring the differences between the CV 125 and the Zeiss 135.
Mostly, for what I do (1:2 and closer) the CV 125 remains my go-to lens ... but the Zeiss is so good, I just keep it around, in case I need it.
Even with a 20mm extender, I think it's sharper than the Cv 125 ... however, the color/saturation with the Zeiss is almost too much ... whereas I think the color/saturation/bokeh is more exact/sublime with the Voigtländer.
Just mho.
As i have always maintained, the Zeiss 135mm (which I call the Otus-135) is a specialty lens, one useful when extreme sharpness makes sense and from a distance. I have only had the D810 for one afternoon, and I have many days to see what it does to all my most used lenses. If the CV-125 is typical, this new Nikon will be very popular for the kind of work I do.
I have no intention of selling my D810, if only because there are two many shutter actuation to interest buyers.
Here is another one taken today with the D850 and the CV-125.
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Stop complaining, pull out the plastic and place your order but first please observe one minute of silent meditation for those of us who cannot afford all of the fine tools we need.
Dave who's quest for the Holy Grail ended with a Dixie Cup in hand.
I can't afford it right now, either, so don't feel bad ;D
PS: I only pay cash though; haven't used a credit card since 1997 :-X
December is my month 8)
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As i have always maintained, the Zeiss 135mm (which I call the Otus-135) is a specialty lens, one useful when extreme sharpness makes sense and from a distance. I have only had the D810 for one afternoon, and I have many days to see what it does to all my most used lenses. If the CV-125 is typical, this new Nikon will be very popular for the kind of work I do.
I have no intention of selling my D810, if only because there are two many shutter actuation to interest buyers.
Here is another one taken today with the D850 and the CV-125.
Yeah, to sell the D810 for ~$1600 just doesn't make sense.
I love the colors put out by the CV ... and there is almost a universal consensus that the colors in the D850 are just as sublime/exact ... so that the two go together is an exciting prospect to look forward to.
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As i have always maintained, the Zeiss 135mm (which I call the Otus-135) is a specialty lens, one useful when extreme sharpness makes sense and from a distance. I have only had the D810 for one afternoon, and I have many days to see what it does to all my most used lenses. If the CV-125 is typical, this new Nikon will be very popular for the kind of work I do.
I have no intention of selling my D810, if only because there are two many shutter actuation to interest buyers.
Here is another one taken today with the D850 and the CV-125.
Michael. You are single handedly pushing up the prices of the Voigt 125.
No complaint here. Carry on please.
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Zeiss Apo Sonar = Bitingly-Sharp Wide-Open (single image of wild flower @ f/2)
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I can't afford it right now, either, so don't feel bad ;D
They say misery loves company. Don't believe it!
Dave
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I own a 105/4.0 AI, 105/2.8 AIS and a 135/5.6 EL-Nikkor so I have a few lenses for close-up and macro.
I also have a 135/3.5 AI and 135/2.8 AIS so have some for distance.
Nothing as sexy as the two lenses mentioned, no APO(s) but they get me by.
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This is what I use my 135/2 Zeiss for about once per year, other than that it patiently sits in the lens drawer.
f/2 sometimes is not enough DOF at this close of range, so f/2.8 sometimes is used.
Hence my interest in the 125/2.5 CV.
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double post.
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They say misery loves company. Don't believe it!
Dave
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;D
I own a 105/4.0 AI, 105/2.8 AIS and a 135/5.6 EL-Nikkor so I have a few lenses for close-up and macro.
I also have a 135/3.5 AI and 135/2.8 AIS so have some for distance.
Nothing as sexy as the two lenses mentioned, no APO(s) but they get me by.
Those are fine lenses too ... and part of a good AI-S collection. I intend to build my own up as well, just to have them.
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This is what I use my 135/2 Zeiss for about once per year, other than that it patiently sits in the lens drawer.
f/2 sometimes is not enough DOF at this close of range, so f/2.8 sometimes is used.
Hence my interest in the 125/2.5 CV.
Gorgeous photo ... and the resemblance is uncanny.
I find both the Zeiss and the Voigtländer are best at f/4, with the Zeiss being sharper then the Voigtländer @ f/2 than the latter is @ f/2.5.
Like you, the Zeiss sits around and doesn't get used as much. It's MFD (79 cm) and its only going to 1:4 make it more troublesome to use than the Voigtländer , which has a MFD of 38 cm and also goes 1:1.
Still, the Zeiss is good for certain distances ... as, for example, photographing a tired, sore doggy taking a nap after a long vacation.
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What happened to your post John?
Still thinking about this lens. I just bought the 65/2 APO Lanthar for my A7RII and it's a pretty darned impressive lens. Not the absolute sharpest I have, but incredibly even across the frame right from wide open and it has great color, contrast, and flare/ghosting resistance.
The 125/2.5 is now the only APO Lanthar of recent vintage that I do not have.
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What happened to your post John?
Still thinking about this lens. I just bought the 65/2 APO Lanthar for my A7RII and it's a pretty darned impressive lens. Not the absolute sharpest I have, but incredibly even across the frame right from wide open and it has great color, contrast, and flare/ghosting resistance.
The 125/2.5 is now the only APO Lanthar of recent vintage that I do not have.
I decided it was redundant.
The Apo 65 is something I would find very useful and wish they made it in F-mount ...