Voigtlander 23mm 1.2 comparison w/ Fuji 23mm 2

[Xbot]

I have both the Voigt 23mm 1.2 and Fuji 23mm 2. I'm happy with the Voigt--fun to use. I was expecting it to not match the Fuji away from the center and I'm well aware of the field curvature.

Did a direct comparison with my Fuji 23mm 2. See below. These are screenshots with both lenses at F8 --that's usually where I would have the lens for landscapes and care about detail. I'm looking down from a nearly 3 story window on flat ground both lenses on the same plane of focus.

The selection is midway out from center (at the very center the two lenses are indistinguishable). And of course this is zoomed into 100%. At anything except very large print sizes I'm not sure that the difference would matter.

Still, if anyone has done any direct comparisons with the two lenses (or the 23 1.4 or even a Fuji zoom or something else comparable) is the difference observable here roughly what you would expect from mid-frame on for the Voigt? If so, I'm ok with it, just wanting to make sure that my Voigt isn't somehow out of whack.

Note: click on the image and zoom in to see the difference--it's compressed here so not as obvious.

 

[liggy]

I've never shot the Voigtlander at anything more closed than F2.

No idea what it looks like at F8.

 

[YaYoureAlright]

I've never shot the Voigtlander at anything more closed than F2.

No idea what it looks like at F8.

It's like having 2 different lenses given it's behaviour stopped down vs wide open, and I love both.

Shared this a few times here lately, but almost every one of the first 50 or so pictures I have here is the Voigtlander 23mm at F8 https://portraitmode.io/profile/yayourealright/ (anything marked as 23mm is the Voigt)

 

[Xbot]

I don't shoot it often at F8. It wouldn't be my first choice for a landscape lens. But, when out and about it's nice to know what it will do in those situations.

 

[Xbot]

Nice shots. This lens is perfect for those sorts of situations--and F8 is useful even there.

 

[liggy]

I've never shot the Voigtlander at anything more closed than F2.

No idea what it looks like at F8.

It's like having 2 different lenses given it's behaviour stopped down vs wide open, and I love both.
Shared this a few times here lately, but almost every one of the first 50 or so pictures I have here is the Voigtlander 23mm at F8 https://portraitmode.io/profile/yayourealright/ (anything marked as 23mm is the Voigt)

Well done - good to know it's useful stopped down. My landscape kit is completely different but looks like it'll get the job done if needed.

 

[Solomon]

Good post.

 

[Rakosky]

“Aware of field curvature”….field curvature isn’t a problem but a paranoia.

 

[Xbot]

“Aware of field curvature”….field curvature isn’t a problem but a paranoia.

It's not paranoia. It's real. Anyone with the lens can easily test for it. Whether it's a "problem" depends on how one 1) manages it, 2) creatively uses it, and/or 3) just doesn't care about it.

 

[Rakosky]

“Aware of field curvature”….field curvature isn’t a problem but a paranoia.

It's not paranoia. It's real. Anyone with the lens can easily test for it. Whether it's a "problem" depends on how one 1) manages it, 2) creatively uses it, and/or 3) just doesn't care about it.

I have this lens and the field curvature is a typical construction choice/need in fast lenses. You can find it also in Voigtlander 50 1.0 or in Leica Summilux 50 Asph . That helps also to create the out of focus zones to give pop/character. If you think it’s a problem sell it and buy a sharper and perfect (flat) 23 1.4 wr.

 

[Xbot]

“Aware of field curvature”….field curvature isn’t a problem but a paranoia.

It's not paranoia. It's real. Anyone with the lens can easily test for it. Whether it's a "problem" depends on how one 1) manages it, 2) creatively uses it, and/or 3) just doesn't care about it.

I have this lens and the field curvature is a typical construction choice/need in fast lenses. You can find it also in Voigtlander 50 1.0 or in Leica Summilux 50 Asph . That helps also to create the out of focus zones to give pop/character. If you think it’s a problem sell it and buy a sharper and perfect (flat) 23 1.4 wr.

I don't think it's a problem, and nowhere on this thread have I said it's a problem. I do think it's something to be aware of--just like one should be aware of any other characteristic of any lens.

Anyway, it looks like we're not disagreeing that it has field curvature.

 

[Truman Prevatt]

I never thought the 23 f2 was a that high of a bar. The 35 f2 was the first Fujicron. It is not a great lens. It's compact, it's okay but of the 33 f1.4, 35 f1.4 and 35 f2, the 35 f2 is bottom on the list by a long shot. It is a compact lens that is adequate.

By the time Fuji designed the 50 f2, they had sufficient experience with compact designs to make the right choices. The 23 was in between - it's better than the 35 f2 but no where near the 50 f2.

The MTF charts show it pretty well.

Specifications | Lenses | FUJIFILM X Series & GFX - USA

Lens Configuration MTF Chart Vertical axis : Contrast Horizontal axis : Distance from the center of the image S : Sagittal M : Meridional Spatial frequency 15 lines/mm Spatial frequency 45 lines/mm Specifications NOTES *1 Distance from camera lens mount flange *2 Excluding caps and hood

fujifilm-x.com

Specifications | Lenses | FUJIFILM X Series & GFX - USA

Lens Configuration MTF Chart Vertical axis : Contrast Horizontal axis : Distance from the center of the image S : Sagittal M : Meridional Spatial frequency 15 lines/mm Distance from the center of the image Spatial frequency 45 lines/mm Distance from the center of the image Specifications NOTES...

fujifilm-x.com

But is good compared to the 35 f2 which is pretty bad.

Specifications | Lenses | FUJIFILM X Series & GFX - USA

Lens Configuration MTF Chart Vertical axis : Contrast Horizontal axis : Distance from the center of the image S : Sagittal M : Meridional Spatial frequency 15 lines/mm Distance from the center of the image Spatial frequency 45 lines/mm Distance from the center of the image Specifications NOTES...

fujifilm-x.com

even at 15 lp/mm.

The typ drop off seen in the MTF of the 35 indicates a significant amount of filed curvature. The MTF of the 23 f2 shows a not insignificant amount of field curvature. .

 

[Solomon]

This was not mentioned but, it nags at me. Voigtlander lenses are now Cosina lenses and I've never been that impressed by Cosina glass going back to the 60's.