Author Topic: Voigtlander Lenses & the E-P1 (Read 6190 times)

ervinelin · « **on:** July 26, 2009, 07:12:59 AM »

Hi guys,

I thought I would share some test photos made with Voigtlander lenses on the E-P1 here. Shot them just to get used to the whole manual focusing routine.

I currently have 4 lenses, the 15mm F4.5 Super Wide Heliar, 20mm F4 Snapshot, 40mm F1.4 Nokton, and the 75mm F2.5 Heliar.

Here's a group shot of the lenses with the camera.

Here are images from the 15mm.

The 25mm Snapshot

The 40mm F1.4

The 75mm F2.5

More photos can be found on my flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ervinelin/sets/72157621548514794/ and more info on the lenses and their use with the E-P1 at http://www.ervinelin.com/?p=577.

bdickers · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2009, 08:38:24 AM »

Based on your images, the Voightlander lenses look to be an excellent choice for use with the PEN. I have one of the CV 28mm f/2.0 and the Voightlander M-MFT adapters in route to me from Asia. Can't wait to try it on the PEN.
Congratulations on these very nice images!

Good Luck And Good Shooting!

theveed · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2009, 10:21:14 AM »

Wonderful SG shots... really wonderful

ervinelin · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2009, 10:28:02 AM »

Thanks... the lenses are fun to use, but will need some getting used to with regards to the focusing.

However, it's really easy to meter with the live view. I've even set the main dial to be exposure compensation, as such I just need to look at the screen, turn the dial till I get a proper exposure in A mode. Really nifty and it works 90% of the time for me!

jwardell · « **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2009, 06:08:27 AM »

Wonderful! I plan to get the 50mm 1.5 soon.

zentrum · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2009, 04:29:12 AM »

My 15mm will be here next week! (not the new one alas) Will definitely be posting shots.

I debated with myself on buying the 40mm but the 2x multiplier on the focal length is annoying. 80mm is too narrow for my needs and I don't want to lose the other stop on the 12mm.

Nice post though

ervinelin · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2009, 08:40:17 AM »

Quote from: zentrum on July 28, 2009, 04:29:12 AM

My 15mm will be here next week! (not the new one alas) Will definitely be posting shots.

I debated with myself on buying the 40mm but the 2x multiplier on the focal length is annoying. 80mm is too narrow for my needs and I don't want to lose the other stop on the 12mm.

Nice post though

You are right, the 40mm IS very narrow on the E-P1. I found that the 25mm is the next best focal length, but the 25 is an F4. Oh well...

dasrocket · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2009, 01:01:39 PM »

Very nice photos

the 15 and 40 are two of my fave CV's. I have sold them all since, but in the future I will most likely get another 40 1.4 SC and a 28 1.9 Ultron.

photofan · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2009, 09:07:08 PM »

Love the bicycle headlight... wonderful.

gimbel · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2009, 01:05:15 PM »

Here are two images I just shot with the Voigtlander 15mm LTM version on my E-P1.

acycle · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2009, 05:19:48 AM »

Hello, great shots. One question if I may;

Are you happy with the out-of-focus area, Bokeh pattern of the Voigtlander 40mm, at wider apertures? I was looking into buying the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4, or 40mm 1.4, until saw many inconsistent results from both lenses.

On both, the bokeh is sometimes pleasantly smooth (creamy) at close-up, but typically (especially with further distances) the bokeh looks messy, nervous with odd focus drifts. Thus drowning the main foreground subject. (35mm f1.4 seem to be just a bit better).

Although I understand unique behaviours of each lens can be creatively used as its own effect, I still wish to minimize my equipment and carry around a single low-light lens with a consistently non-intrusive bokeh.

I saw very pleasant results from the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2, but the lens is quite big and (pricey) on the E-P1.

thanks for any feedback.

darkspark · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2009, 07:28:49 AM »

Quote from: acycle on August 12, 2009, 05:19:48 AM

Hello, great shots. One question if I may;

Are you happy with the out-of-focus area, Bokeh pattern of the Voigtlander 40mm, at wider apertures? I was looking into buying the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4, or 40mm 1.4, until saw many inconsistent results from both lenses.

On both, the bokeh is sometimes pleasantly smooth (creamy) at close-up, but typically (especially with further distances) the bokeh looks messy, nervous with odd focus drifts. Thus drowning the main foreground subject. (35mm f1.4 seem to be just a bit better).

Although I understand unique behaviours of each lens can be creatively used as its own effect, I still wish to minimize my equipment and carry around a single low-light lens with a consistently non-intrusive bokeh.

I saw very pleasant results from the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2, but the lens is quite big and (pricey) on the E-P1.

thanks for any feedback.

Yea, I'm looking to buy the 40/1.4 as well... so any comments would be appreciated.

From looking around the web, if shot wide open(f1.4) the bokeh is very edgy and messy... but it gets better if shot at f2 or f2.8... would you say that it's true from your experience too? any bokeh test shots (for brighter light source) would be great too, since it's kind of hard to find for comparison.

Jman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2009, 05:39:29 PM »

That's an accurate description. Got my CV 40/1.4 today. At f/1.4, the bokeh is a bit harsh when there are specular highlights, but it softens at f/1.7, and by f/2, it's quite even and smooth. I mean, it's not going to rival my sigma 50 f/1.4 (on my 1Ds II), but little does...it's a bokeh king), but it's very nice. Overall sharpness is good and it's got a nice contrast curve and good color. I like it a lot so far. Very small (much smaller than the 50/1.5 from what I've seen), and nicely built. Focus is smooth.

ervinelin · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2009, 06:49:45 AM »

I agree with the comments above, I try not to use the 40/1.4 wide open as the bokeh can get really "chunky". Stopping down to f2 or 2.8 helps...

As for it's build, all I can say is that I dropped it from about 1.5m and watched it roll across the ground. It came out with only a slight dent in one of the focusing tabs.

hibiya · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2009, 08:16:56 PM »

Hey Ervine,

Thanks for the great review. You are definitely one of the people inspiring me to go for a Voigtlander Lens =)

Do you have a specific example of the bokeh on the 40mm 1.4 being "chunky" like you said? It may just be my style, but sometimes I think I prefer some of the more erratic bokehs.

Also, just curious as to where you got your M mount for the e-p1. eBay has a few up for sale for much cheaper than cameraquest, but I'm a little iffy about the quality. Any tips would be appreciated!

Jman · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2009, 04:23:57 AM »

Here's an example of the 40 Nokton's rough bokeh at large apertures. This is at f/1.7, which is a little better than it is at f/1.4. By f/2, the bokeh is fairly neutral. In some cases, like this shot, I like the character of the rough bokeh, in others, it can be distracting, so I will stop down to f/2 if I have a choice, but overall, I really like the 40 Nokton.

ervinelin · « **Reply #16 on:** August 16, 2009, 09:45:35 AM »

Quote from: hibiya on August 15, 2009, 08:16:56 PM

Also, just curious as to where you got your M mount for the e-p1. eBay has a few up for sale for much cheaper than cameraquest, but I'm a little iffy about the quality. Any tips would be appreciated!

I bought it locally (here in Singapore) from a dealer. www.chiifcameras.com

I'm not sure if he'll ship overseas though.

mel_b · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2010, 11:24:49 AM »

Thank you Ervine for your review.

I am looking for a Voigtlander lense but it is difficult to chose one.

I would like a 25 f/4 or a 28 f/2 which will act like a 50mm.

Is the Color Skopar 25mm f4 the same lense than the 25mm SnapShot Skopar F4?

cosinaphile · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2010, 09:45:08 PM »

i own the 15 4.5 black the 28 1.5 black and the wonderful 50 1.5 silver

love em

Helgen X · « **Reply #19 on:** September 04, 2010, 09:59:06 PM »

Please tell me what is that viewfinder and where I could find one!?

Panther · « **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2010, 10:36:01 PM »

Quote from: Helgen X on September 04, 2010, 09:59:06 PM

Please tell me what is that viewfinder and where I could find one!?

It's the Olympus viewfinder for the E-P1

mikmas101 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 05, 2010, 12:58:58 PM »

Quote from: Panther on September 04, 2010, 10:36:01 PM

Quote from: Helgen X on September 04, 2010, 09:59:06 PM
Please tell me what is that viewfinder and where I could find one!?

It's the Olympus viewfinder for the E-P1

The viewfinder in ervenelin's 'camera' shot in the first post looks more like a CV one to me...

Helgen X · « **Reply #22 on:** September 06, 2010, 10:55:45 AM »

Yes that's it, but what is the name/model number of it?

mikmas101 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 06, 2010, 11:45:39 AM »

Quote from: Helgen X on September 06, 2010, 10:55:45 AM

Yes that's it, but what is the name/model number of it?

It's a Voigtlander 'Bright Line' viewfinder - here's a link to a UK dealer with models:
http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=2083&PT_ID=707

Note that this is simply a passive optical aid for framing matched to lens type - there is no link to aid focussing in any way.

Helgen X · « **Reply #24 on:** September 07, 2010, 04:42:33 AM »

Thank you very much mik'. I think I am very interested in that lens either way (the one attached to it in the first photo.)

Author Topic: Voigtlander Lenses & the E-P1 (Read 6190 times)

Panther

Related Topics

Recent Topics

Recent Gallery