Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 APO Lanthar

[jhinkey]

He said all the test shots were at f/6.3 . . . .?

Clearly a novice at such things, but I've had mixed success buying from such folks as sometimes they don't know what they have and sometimes they are hiding things about the history of the lens.  $1750 he wants - it's been for sale for a couple of weeks now at that price.  What's the going price these days for a near pristine copy with/hood+ box?

- John

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Higher than so.

f/6.3, really. That is 1/3 off f/5.6 and with no electronic communication lens-camera, value must be eye-balled ...

[JJChan]

He said all the test shots were at f/6.3 . . . .?

Clearly a novice at such things, but I've had mixed success buying from such folks as sometimes they don't know what they have and sometimes they are hiding things about the history of the lens.  $1750 he wants - it's been for sale for a couple of weeks now at that price.  What's the going price these days for a near pristine copy with/hood+ box?

- John

John
The lens looks pristine and well kept. It is not made any more and the combination of its qualities is not easy to find in any modern lens today. You will kick yourself if you let this one go and I doubt you will find another in such good condition. The owner doesn't use it properly - certainly not the way you would! Rescue it!

[jhinkey]

I will offer something less than $1750 for it and see what he says.  I may have to sell my 135/2 APO Zeiss which I don't use all that much due to size & weight in the bag.

Thanks -

John

[PeterN]

I missed out on the lens with Nikon mount. Does anyone know how easy it is to (let someone) replace the mount by a Nikon mount? I know, clearly a novice question... But I'd appreciate any guidance.

[Erik Lund]

The 125mm APO Lanthar is build with a rear module that is interchangeable with similar rear modules - So Nikon F-Mount from a 40mm f/2 the old version can be used as a donor for a Canon FD, Olympus and the Pentax as far as I recall,,, You can check by looking at the 'look' of the aperture rings.

I have done so a couple of times.

I have also build a home made adapter module from an old F-Mount pre-Ai, one without screw-holes since they are located very differently to a Nikon Ai or Ais mounts.

Very tricky to make the aperture stop down leaver reversing link and to get it geared correctly,,,

But with one of Bjørns G-Type CPUs it works perfectly!

[PeterN]

Thanks, Erik. Just send a PM.

The 125mm APO Lanthar is build with a rear module that is interchangeable with similar rear modules - So Nikon F-Mount from a 40mm f/2 the old version can be used as a donor for a Canon FD, Olympus and the Pentax as far as I recall,,, You can check by looking at the 'look' of the aperture rings.

I have done so a couple of times.

I have also build a home made adapter module from an old F-Mount pre-Ai, one without screw-holes since they are located very differently to a Nikon Ai or Ais mounts.

Very tricky to make the aperture stop down leaver reversing link and to get it geared correctly,,,

But with one of Bjørns G-Type CPUs it works perfectly!

[Erik Lund]

Here is the inside of the APO Lanthar mount with aperture reversing arm

_EGL2051 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

Here with a CPU, you can see the holes for screws are off standard,,,

_EGL2041 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

Template for drilling the holes,,,

_EGL2054Mount by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

Finished Chipping with one of Bjørns CPUs

_EGL2057 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

_EGL2056 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

Relocating the spring and making room for the CPU print

_EGL2050 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

Here is a 125mm f/2.5 with the mount from a 40mm f/2

_EGL5962 by Erik Gunst Lund, on Flickr

[Bob]

I have joined the Voigtlander 125mm club.  I just purchased one from Map Camera in Japan.  I'm happy with the lens, although I haven't used it too much, as yet.  The first photos look very good.  I have noticed a bit of play in the outer housings of the lens, out by the ends of the housing.  By comparison, my Zeiss 100mm Makro has no play, but the Zeiss 135mm Apo has almost as much play.  Hard to quantify.  Is this an issue?  If I mildly  shake the lens, it rattles a bit.  I'm inclined, once I get my grubby mitts on a lens I like, to keep it.  Is CameraQuest the preferred place for repairs in the U.S.?  I don't mind spending a bit extra to get it tightened up.

[Birna Rørslett]

There should be the very little, if any, play in the focusing ring.

The lens is excessively prone to getting play after impacts to its front. Do get the three holding screws for the internal guide rails replaced. They are the really weak part of the construction. Unlike popular myth and the first impression of holding the lens in your hands, the 125 CV is NOT built like a tank. It needs careful handling.