The Voigtlander 50 f/3.5 Heliar V 4 on the Leica SL. f/3.5 is. the new f/1.4
By Steve Huff
Quick Links: Buy this lens at Amazon (Prime), or CameraQuest.com
Last week I wrote about this lovely Voigtlander 50 f/3.5 Heliar as used on the Sony A9.
A few of you asked me to also test it on the Leica SL. It is an M mount lens after all, meant to go on a Leica M. While I do not have an M10 here, I do have the next best thing, the SL and the adapter needed to convert this lens to the SL. So after using it on the A9 with great results, I plopped it on the SL and away I went. Below is a video of the images on the Sony a9 and SL, all in one place and with my narrative thoughts, but after the video, below, you can see the images here in a larger size.
The Voigtlander 50 f/3.5 on the a9 and SL
No! Do not do that! I made the mistake of dismissing it, mentally and was not inspired to use it. So it sat for a couple of weeks, maybe longer, with just a few snaps…because I was not motivated. Then I finally went out with it and used it and realized what an incredible lens this is. Then…then I was hooked.
The warm rendering of the SL combined with the fantastic color and smoothness of this lens wide open is special. Click on the image and yes, this is at f/3.5 but look at that creamy smooth bokeh. Look at the detail on the jar and lid and the color…beautiful.
This lens, as I said before is a steal at $529. I will state this again, and it is not hype…this lens renders quite a bit like. the $7700 Leica 50 APO. You lose that f/2 speed but holy bokeh, this lens is $529. Even when shot wide open at f/3.5 we seem to get more shallow DOF that I would expect..and the bokeh quality is stunning.
Click it to see it better! Trust me! If you own a large display you will see the quality here. From the color to the bokeh to the detail that is never harsh or analytical or soft… if this lens had the Leica red dot on the box, it would be selling for $3500.
Just as I hinted above..and I mean it…if. this exact lens was released by Leica in the same exact formula and design…as in, you take this voigtlander, release it in a Leica box and say Leica made it, it would sell for $3500 and be praised as one of the best 50’s ever. That is how good this lens is.
I remember when I first used the Leica 50 APO. Best 50 I have ever used or tested, without question. The Build, short focus throw, build quality, f/2 aperture and stunning IQ that came from it (see my 1st review of that lens here) blew my mind, but so did the cost. I lusted after that lens badly..and then I finally bought one from Ken Hansen (khpny19@aol.com) and had my very own Leica 50 APO. I was in love. While that lens is insanely expensive, it is cheaper than the 50 Noctilux, and I prefer the 50 APO to the Noct these days!
That Leica 50 APO, being an f/2 design will allow you to shoot in low light, and the way it renders, with an almost medium format quality with its color and perfect sharpness (yet again, like this Voigtlander, is never ever analytical or too sharp…I call it “smooth sharp”) will blow you away. It should, I mean..the cost is wallet melting.
But the good news? This little Voigtlander will offer you much of the same quality. While not quite there, and not the same speed, you can get a taste of the 50 APO when it comes to color, that “smooth sharpness” and even bokeh quality.
The colors from this lens are amazing. Of course the SL helps with its gorgeous color rendering but click this to see the bokeh, and I was not even close to these flowers. Amazing shallow DOF for a f/3.5 design.
While I loved this lens on the Sony a9, I ADORE it on the SL. Something about that SL sensor that when combined with a great lens like this, or the 24-90 or the 50 APO deliver a color signature that is pure beauty IMO. If you can not tell, I am excited here for two reasons. One, that a $529 lens can get close to a $7700 lens and that even while at f/3.5, it’s hard to tell by looking at the character of the photos that this lens puts out. The DOF almost seems to be more like an f/2.8 design.
But this is one of the benefits of full frame. Use a “slower” lens and you will still get a nice shallow DOF but your subject will remain sharp and perfectly in focus. It’s a nice balance between the look of a fast and slow lens.
A FULL SIZE DIRECT OOC SHOT – This is a full size file from the SL, out of camera. Shot in full mid day Phoenix sun, and I focused on the very top bolt on the hydrant. (which is obvious). Focusing this lens is easy though it does have a longer than normal focus throw for a 50mm lens. This makes it easier to get accurate focus though also makes it a tad slower to manually focus it. Click it for the full size.
So it is rare that I rave about a lens twice in 2 weeks. But this praise is very well warranted as many would never even know about this lens if it were not for reviews like this that show what this lens can do. Keep in mind, this is V4 of this lens, the latest version.
While it may look funky, and it does, the performance, build, feel and usability makes it seem like a $2000 lens and not a $500 lens. It comes with a lens hood and metal vintage cap as well. Voigtlander has been stepping up their game over the recent years and I have been impressed with most of their latest offerings.
Some have also asked me if I would buy this lens or the 50 Nokton 1.5 I also reviewed very favorably a few years ago (see that review here). Well, these two lenses render almost completely different. One is a fast f/1.5 aperture that is 85% the Leica 50 Summilux ASPH and one is 80% of the Leica 50 APO (in performance). Both can be had for around $1500. Both Leica’s can be had for around $11,500. I say get both the Nokton and Heliar V4!
But if only one, that is all dependent on what you need in a lens. Do you need low light performance? If so, the Nokton would rule the night. Do you want color, smoothness, bokeh and keeping your subject sharp? The Heliar rocks this, and even in the full AZ Sunshine.
1st shot was 1pm, full sun in Phx AZ. This is on a wall of some of the best chicken I have ever eaten, at LoLo’s. No issues here for the SL or lens. Click for larger. Image 2, just showing the character of the lens again.
So at the end of the day there is nothing else I can say about this lens that I have not already said. If you love the 50mm focal length, like retro design, do not mind manual focus, and want a lens that will give you a flavor of the Leica 50 APO for 1/14th the cost, and you own a Leica M, Leica SL, Sony A7 or A9…then this lens is one that will rock your socks off.
BTW, I have seen no CA, no distortion and no faults with this lens when adapted to the Sony A9 or Leica SL ; )
All shots here were taken wide open at f/3.5. DO not be scared by that aperture if you shoot in decent light, or shoot street, or shoot portraits or shoot well, anything. As long as you are not a creature of the night, this lens will not disappoint you. You can buy it from cameraquest or amazon, links below:
BUY THIS LENS
Buy at Cameraquest (where mine came from)
Buy from Cameraquest on Amazon (Prime)
This one that I have on hand was sent to me for review but in about a week when I have some extra cash I will be sending Mr. Stephen Gandy my money for this lens. I have fallen for it and will be using it more and more on my a9 and SL. If you missed the images from this lens on the Sony A9, CLICK HERE. Thanks for reading everyone and be sure to hear more of my thoughts in the video on this lens that shares all of these images here and the ones from the a9 as well!
Three more, 1st one at ISO 6400 at 1AM – Last one OOC JPEG!
Also, more and more video reviews will be coming from me (and Debby) shortly! We are just getting started. If you missed our latest adventures and reviews, see them below and if you enjoy them, Subscribe to my Youtube HERE to be sure and get all of the latest. Many more on the way. In fact, our next video will be an adventure to Oatman AZ with the Leica SL and new 50 Summilux AF lens. ; ) If you are looking to buy Leica cameras like the SL, email Ken Hansen at khpny19@aol.com or go to PopFlash.com
Enjoy!
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Ignore my previous comment about framelines – need a bit of aggression to lock lens and everything is fine,
Somewhat disappointed due to the Voigtlander 50mm 3.4 not bringing up 50mm framelines on my Monochrom. Maybe I missed something along the way but the lack of framelines for me is a deal killer. I love the image rendering but if my M can’t SE it as a true 50mm it’s dead.
Thoughts? Am I the only one?
First I have ever heard of that. It should bring up the 50mm frame lines on an M, as I have never used a Voigtlander or any M lens that did not. There has to be an issue somewhere with your camera or that lens you have specifically.I would email the dealer you bought it from for an exchange.
Steve, thanks for your review on this lens! You let more people to know about this amazing lens.
I like this very mich yet I have owned both the 101th anniversary and the nikel version (both are collapsable lens which made them even more tiny when collapsed) .
Years ago, this heliar 50mm is already granted as one of the many best 50mm lenses, however , not many people talk about and use it (probably it is a voigtlabder but not leica lens.
My mind was blown away by the amazing image quality from this lens (i used it on M240 and M2), not by the sharpness, but the colour and the more important details (both at the shadow and even at the highlight area, tone of details captured by this tiny amazing lens).
Now, the “rigid” version is even more amazing. It retains the great IQ, with a well built body (to the leica standard) and wonderful outlook.
I like 50mm as much as you. I find no reason not to get all the version of this tiny gem!!
Enclosed one of the photo taken by this lens (the Vitoria Habour in Hong Kong)
https://flic.kr/p/AFxf1B
Hi Steve,
it would be interesting to see the the Heliar compared to the Leica 50mm APO. Steve, maybe you can do this for us?
Well, the APO is $7700 and I do not have $7700 to buy one to test. I can rent one, but even that is $400 for a few days. So unlikely. I would love to, so if I can get a 50 APO for a few days I will do that. But I have used the APO extensively and this has similar rendering, just slower at f/3.5.
Hello Steve, thanks for your review again.
How do you compare the rendering of this lens and the Oly 50 f1.2 for micro43? thx.
The 25 1.2 you mean? This lens has a slower f/3.5 aperture, where the Olympus has an f/1.2 and for light gathering the Olympus is the better lens. BUT on an Olympus body, using the 25 f/1.2 in low light…you would get better low light from a Sony A9 and this lens at f/3.5 due to the ISO performance of the Sony (Or Leica SL/M10) over the Olympus which has crippled low light capabilities. Its one weakness. Other than that, rendering wise, the Olympus will give you a more creamy bokeh and more of it due to the aperture. This lens, while having more DOF will still give you some shallow DOF due to it being used on full frame. If you use this lens on Micro 4/3 it will behave like a 100mm lens, so the Olympus 25 would be the better choice IMO, if using on a M 4/3 body.
thank you! x
Thoroughly enjoyed your Sedona video. I love cinematic style footage from the drone.
Eek – another 50 for my SL. I love the colour and bokeh rendering. The SL has a colour rendering that I am loving more than any other camera.
The compactness of this lens will be a treat and a great alternate rendering to the Zeiss ZM 1.5 which has another amazing rendering in the right light. We have so many wonderful artistic options these days and different price points for all. It is a great time to get out and pursue images that reflect our personal vision. Keep up the great work Steve!
Thank You!
Not only am I impressed by this lens, I’m also impressed by the SL. In no way does it seem to give anything away to any DSLR with more pixels. It seems that one Leica pixel is worth two from a DSLR. Okay maybe 1.5. 😉
You’re not wrong about ‘medium format quality’. Damn, those are impressive files. And the way the Heliar renders is just amazing. This should be a cinema lens! Leica makes a set of M lenses specifically for cinema – why can’t Voigtlander do the same?
Exquisite.
Thank you
It’s funny you say that if it were a Leica it would be declared one of the best 50’s ever… earlier versions of this lens were declared the best 50 ever.
I’ve been so tempted to grab one of these as they are on sale in Australia for around $350 USD… cannot complain about that!
The price is right for sure!
DO IT.
Hi Matt, I’m in Aus, where did you see that?
Thanks
Mainline Photographics (the Australian distributors for Voigtlander) had them on sale for months at $495 AUD (well it slipped down slowly from $775). However looks like they have discontinued them here (they didn’t sell). If they bring them back by demand they will probably quite a bit more. A friend bought their last one the other day and they said at the time that they won’t be bringing them back in.
Thanks Matt!
I thought that’s who you meant, yes out of stock. I contacted and they said more in early October but back to $775. Maybe steal your friends?
I also bought one of the last one’s from them for $495 🙂 No idea why they were so cheap.. using it now with a close-focus adapter. It’s a very quirky looking lens that’s for sure! I’m still undecided about performance/etc, with the adapter, it’s actually not that small or light on an A7ii, particularly for a slow lens, so ergonomically it doesn’t really have any advantage imo.
I also want to know, where did you see that?
Hey Tom, see my response above to Hat.
Hi Steve,
Is the Heliar also better on the Leica because of absence of filter stack issues that it might have on the Sony’s?
And yes you want all 50’s. You also liked the Loxia I recall. Was also APO like. But the Heliar seems to have a milder, softer bokeh than the Loxia. Choices, choices, choices!
Thanks for this 2 reviews!
Looks like a great lense