Olympus E-PL2 sample shots with Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95

We've been spoiled this week, not only did we get an E-PL2 sample in for testing, we were sent a new Kingston card like this one, and a Voigtlander 25mm (50mm-e) f/0.95 Nokton also for review, so we thought we would share some quick snaps we took this Friday afternoon. We'll be showing more over the weekend, and hopefully with a wider selection of settings and with more photographic merit. Please check back regularly.

New Voigtländer 25mm f/0.95 for MicroFourThirds Confirmed

Voitgländer has announced the production of new lenses for the MicroFourThirds system. The first lens to be unveiled is the new Nokton 25mm (50mm equivalent) f/0.95 lens. That's a stop faster than f/1.2 and 1 1/3 stop faster than f/1.4. This particular lens has been designed for MFT cameras, such as the Lumix GF-1 and Pen E-P2 (the latter is particularly useful with the built-in IS system) and as a result you don’t need to use any adapter. There is no auto-focus of course, this is a manual focus lens. The price is expected to be in the region of $1000 with availability by October/November.

Comparable lenses include old C-mount lenses like the Schneider 25mm f/0.95 and also two more including 25mm f/0.95 lenses from Navitar and Angenieux. They are not designed for MFT so you will need an MFT adapter.

UK readers can buy directly from the UK distributor, Robert White, here. The price is £695 plus VAT at the time of posting. US and readers those from Canada can buy from Adorama here.

Specification

And a couple more...

Nikon users will notice the inclusion of ADR and CPU contacts, essentially what Nikon termed Ai-P spec. The Ai (Auto indexing) ridge ensures the Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 Color Skopar has backwards metering compatibility with manual focus SLRs dating back to the Nikon F2A and F2AS (DP11/DP12 Photomic heads), while the CPU data-bus provides compatibility with modern film cameras such as the F100, F5 and F6, as well as latest digital SLRs. Please note, this a manual focus lens.

UK link: Robert White

USA link: B&H Nikon fit, Pentax fit.

Unboxing Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm f/3.5

Okay so I don't normally do this kind of thing, but hey it's my blog and I can do what I like. It's not a video either just a couple of stills but it will give you a taste of what to expect when you plunk down your cash. Should of done this before I posted the first look, but well there you go. I didn't, so I'm doing it now.

Update; click here for a few more images.

UK link: Robert White

USA link: B&H Nikon fit, Pentax fit.

Voigtlander add Nokton 50mm f/1.1

Following in the footsteps of the Leica Noctilux f/0.95 and Nikkor-N 5cm f/1.1, Voigtlander has added a Nokton 50mm f/1.1 to the range. Priced at €999 ($1379) and expected mid June, the new Nokton is designed to be used with Voigtlander Bessa RF cameras, though will also fit Leica M models, including the latest digital M8.2. There's also a following using these and M-series lenses on the Lumix G1 with adaptors (such as those announced in the previous post). Filter diameter is 58mm and the lens uses 7 elements in 6 groups. It weighs in at a substantial 428g. A new vented lens hood (pictured) has also been announced.

More information can be found at the Voigtlander, Japan site here.

Update 12 July '09:

B&H still don't have it listed, and aren't as yet accepting orders.

UK distributor, Robert White, is listing the new Nokton for £950 plus VAT (15%).

First look at Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 Color Skopar (part II)

Thought I would post a 100 per cent crop (actual pixels) of the corner of the frame from the previous post. Raw file from full-frame (FX) Nikon D700 at f/8 (well actually f/9) developed using Aperture, mono conversion using Nik Silver Efex Pro, and no output sharpening. Looks very encouraging to me.

Remember the APS-C format Nikon DX and Pentax DSLRs will be pulling from the central 'sweet-spot' of the CV 20mm f/3.5, and FOV will become the equivalent to a 35mm f/3.5.

UK link: Robert White

USA link: B&H Nikon fit, Pentax fit.

Update 01/22/10: Please note a full test of this lens will be published in the near future.

First look at Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 Color Skopar

Before I get a flood of emails, I know this is displayed really small, but I wanted to post one of the first shots with the Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 Color Skopar, supplied by the UK retailer, Robert White.

It's too early to draw any conclusions from this, other than to say it looks really good on my Apple Cinema display. I'll make a print from the Epson SP 3800 we have in the studio too and comment on that as well. All the same, I have a lot more testing to do and it will be sometime before I can publish the results* of the test, so please be patient.

* See here, for a 'quick and dirty' corner crop of the above.

UK link: Robert White

USA link: B&H Nikon fit, Pentax fit.

Review of Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm f/3.5

The UK distributor has kindly agreed to send a Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm f/3.5 announced here to review in the DJP, please check back here in the next couple of weeks for the results of this extremely interesting (and hugely popular) new addition.

UK link: Robert White

USA link: B&H Nikon fit, Pentax fit.

Voigtlander Bessa III

South coast dealer and official importer for Voigtlander in the UK, Robert White, has announced they expect the new Bessa III (pictured) to be in stock during May 09. It's the first medium format camera to be introduced for an age, and has the unique ability to swap between film formats (6x7/6x6) using a selector switch. The price is listed at £1650 + VAT.

For more details and to pre-order, please visit here.

Cosina announce Voigtlander VM Micro FourThirds lens adaptor

It's not the first I've seen, but welcome nonetheless, Cosina has announced a Micro FourThirds lens adaptor for the Panasonic Lumix G1 and recently introduced GH1.

That means you can marry those gorgeous VM series lenses, as well those superb Leica M and Zeiss ZM lenses with those little Lumix hybrids. L series require a converter, but with one or two exceptions can be used.

More information, albeit in Japanese (though you'll get the gist) can be found here.

The price is 19,800 Yen or around $200 (£140 + VAT), using a straight currency conversion.

For a list and link of the official worldwide distributors, please take a look here.

Cosina unwrap new Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 Color Skopar SL II Aspherical for Nikon and Pentax DSLRs

Cosina have lifted the wraps on the Voigtlander Color Skopar 20mm f/3.5 SL-II Aspherical for Nikon FX (full-frame) and DX (APS-C) format DSLRs. A version with the KA mount for Pentax DSLRs has also been announced. Like others in the range, it's a manual focus lens but has a built-in CPU for metering control with the latest DSLRs.

We have the following lens specification, but no word as yet on price or availability:

Lens Construction :6 groups 9 elements
Smallest Aperture : F22
Picture Angle :94°
Aperture Blades : 9
Nearest Distance : 0.2m
Diameter x Length :φ63mm x 28.8mm
Weight :205 g
Mount : Ai-S / KA

All this looks promising, and reminds me of the the long-discontinued Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 Ai lens from the late 70's and early 80's. Can't help but think this would be an excellent choice on the D700, but as the equivalent to a 35mm f/3.5 on the Pentax K20D it doesn't feel quite as compelling, in my view. Lets hope Pentax (Hoya) comes up with a full-frame model before too long - it has to be on the cards, recession or not, right?

For more information from the UK distributor, Robert White, visit their site.

For US visitors, the retailer B&H carry an extensive range of Voigtlander - to order the item or check the price, click here.