Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar vs Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM
Related: apochromatic, distortion, Eric B, optics, Sigma, Sigma FE, Sigma FE 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, Sony, Sony FE, Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM, Sony Lenses, Sony mirrorless, Voigtlander, Voigtlander FE, Voigtlander FE APO-Lanthar 35mm f/2 Aspherical, Voigtlander FE Nokton 21mm f/1.4 Aspherical, Voigtlander Lenses
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APO-Lanthar
Really cool to see two new top-flight 35mm focal length prime lenses showing up for Sony mirrorless. Maybe the world’s best 35mm lens vs Sony’s f/1.4 offering should make for a really interesting comparison.
Accordingly, I am deferring review of the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM until the Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar becomes available in April. The choice of manual focus or autofocus will surely decide the matter for some (in favor of AF), but size/weight and performance for others.
For landscape and those who wish to travel compactly/lightly, the Voigtlander offering is unbeatable at 352 grams vs 524 grams for the Sony, and much more compact dimensions.
The Sigma FE 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art is superb, but it is huge and heavy (1090 grams). Still, I should probably try to get all three together because the Sigma 35/1.2 was really impressive when I reviewed it.
My expectation of a “good sample” is highest for the Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lantharbecause of excellent quality control at Cosina Voigtlander, and the simplest lens design of the three. It can be tough getting a top-performing sample of exotic lens designs of f/1.4 and f/1.2 speed—the Sigma 35/1.2 had some sample variation issues.
It also makes me wonder: for those who need a compact/lightweight top performer for some uses (the Voigtlander), but also want a fast high performer autofocus lens, maybe the Voigtlander and Sigma could turn out to be fine choices as a combo? Also, for some uses, the best overall illumination at f/1.4 or f/2 might be a serious factor for consideration, like astrophotography, or 'street' shooting.
Finally, characteristics like distortion and field of view might be considerations (the Sigma 35/1.2 has substantial barrel distortion). I’d expect the Voigtlander to have the least distortion (TBD), and it does have the widest field of view. When used, distortion correction has a real impact on actual micro contrast, so a low-distortion lens like the Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 is a big plus.
Please use these links to buy, thank you. See also Voigtlander for Sony.
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Eric B writes:
I am very much looking forward to your reviews of the new 35mm E mount lenses. I have the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar and it is truly spectacular.
I wonder if you might include the interesting Sigma FE 35mm f/2 DG DN in that group. It appears to be light, relatively inexpensive, and desirable as part of a small prime set for Sony E.
I do not question the excellence of the Sigma f/1.2 but at 1 kg, (compared to the f/2 DG DN at 325 grams, the CV f/2 at 352 grams and the even the Sony GM at 524 grams) it will likely never see the inside of my camera bag whereas the Sony GM and/or the CV 35 APO are decent candidates. It’s great to have so many excellent choices. Thanks for all you do.
DIGLLOYD: Yes, I should probably add the Sigma FE 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary to the grouping. Though I have yet to be satisfied with any of the Contemporary lenses performance, with 3 aspherical elements, the Sigma 35/2 might turn out to be a fine performer if it can control field curvature and be free of focus shift issues. Its sibling the Sigma FE 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary makes visually appealing images, but disappointed me in field use and could not perform satisfactorily on the mosaic test. And when I look at some sample images with the Sigma 35/2, they looks pretty poor in the outer zones on distance scenes.
| Voigtlander FE50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar | Sigma FE 35mm f/2 DG DN Art | Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM | Sigma FE 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aperture range: | f/2 - f/16 1/3 stop clicks or stepless aperture |
f/2 - f/22 | f/1.4 - 16 | f/1.2 - f/16 |
| Iris blades: | 12 blades circular aperture through f/16 |
9, rounded | 11, rounded | 11 blades, rounded |
| Focusing range: | 13.8 in = 35 cm - INF | 10.6 in = 27 cm - INF | 9.8 in = 25 cm - INF | 11.81 in / 30 cm - INF |
| Reproduction ratio: | 1:6.46 | 0.18X = 1:5.5 | 0.26X = 1:3.84 | 0.19X = 1:5.26 |
| Angle of view: | 62.2° | 63.4° | 63° | 63.4° |
| Number of elements/groups: | 11 elements in 9 groups 5 special dispersion glass 2 double-sided aspherical |
10 elements in 9 groups | 14 elements in 10 groups | 17 elements in 12 groups |
| Filter thread: | 49mm | 58mm | 67mm | 82mm |
| Weight (nominal): | 352g | 11.5 oz = 325g | 524g | 38.45 oz = 1090g |
| Dimensions: | 62.6 x 67.3 mm | 2.8 x 2.7 in = 70 X 67.4mm | 76 X 96 mm | 3.46 x 5.36 in = 87.8 x 136.2 mm |
| Includes: | Front and Rear Lens Caps Lens Hood Limited 1-Year Warranty |
LH577-01 Lens Hood Sigma LCF-55 III 55mm Lens Cap Sigma Rear Cap LCR II for Sony E Mount Lenses Limited 1-Year Warranty + Limited 3-Year U.S.A. Warranty Extension |
ALC-F67S 67mm Front Lens Cap ALC-R1EM Rear Lens Cap ALC-SH164 Lens Hood Lens Case Limited 1-Year Warranty |
Lens Case LH878-02 Lens Hood Sigma LCF-82 III 82mm Lens Cap Sigma Rear Cap LCR II Limited 1-Year Warranty + Limited 3-Year U.S.A. Warranty Extension |
Image below from Patriarch Grove from Above At Dusk, View Southwest.
Sony A7R IV + Sigma FE 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art + polarizer Breakthrough Photography X4
ENV: Patriarch Grove, altitude 11500 ft / 3505 m, 45°F / 7°C
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, +40 Shadows, -80 Highlights, +40 Whites, +10 Contrast, USM {8,50,0}
[low-res image for bot]
