Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 125mm/2.5 SL

It arrived yesterday in the post. Guess what I will be doing this weekend? However, I am inpressed already. The whole thing just oozes quality. The box is very thick high grade card. The inner is such a snug fit that it is slightly difficult to remove as you have to overcome the "suction" The inner itself is a to part polystyrene with a custom cutout for both the lens and hood. I know it makes no difference but what a change from the thin Pentax boxes with the silly method of cardboard. With this box, you could just stick a label on it and send it through the post with little fear of damage.

As to the lens itself, it is just a dad larger and heavier than I expected. Overall just a little fatter and a bit heavier than the Pentax SMC Tak/K series 135/2.5. The build quality is superb. A decent squared of metal hood that fits via a bayonet and locks onto the lens and it is deep enough to be effective unlike most of the pull out hoods. The focus action is incredible. It is silky smooth with what I feel is the perfect amout of "damping". It is also so easy to focus. 1.75 turns from Infinity to lifesize. Very precise focus in the macro area and quick easy focus in the more normal range.

I will try to post pics and results after the weekend.

Kim

If you don't mind, can you tell us where you purchase it? And how much did it cost? I'm very interested in this lens (from the results I saw), but it seems to be very expensive (even more than my two limiteds... yikes!) and hard to find for sale.

Thanks,
--
Flink

Flink.

B&H Photo have it for $659.99 (US)

Made by Cosina. Said to be the fastest macro lens in the world.

This is a manual only lens.

Appears to have good build quality and I know Cosina make a line of Zeiss Lenses.

Never been a fan of Cosina products, however this lens seems to get good reviews. For all we know Cosina may make lenses for Pentax and the other DSLR manufacturers.

Certainly not an expensive lens in the USA, no more than any other decent lens.

RG.

If the lens even remotely lives up to expectations then not much over £300 would seem a bargain, especially compared to what we have to pay in the UK for even quite slow Pentax prime lenses.

The new Zeiss will be somewhat faster at F2.

As far as B&H are concerned, there are out of stock. They list it as "backordered". The last stocks went out from the Cosina factory some time ago so I would doubt that B&H will get any more.

Kim

My friend just got one last week from BH, if you are quick you still can find them.
To be honest I think the Voigtlander surely is a bargain...if you can live with manual focusing limit.

I don't find MF a limit. In fact for detailed work such as macro, I find it to be a positive advantage. I can focus where I want instead of where the camera thinks I want.

Kim

Have you try this one ? http://shashinki.com/shop/lens-teleconverter-c-24.html?filter_id=10&sort...

I paid just under £290 for the lens.

Kim