Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 28mm f/2 Aspherical

The Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 28mm f/2 Aspherical is a compact manual focus wide-angle prime for full frame cameras. It exists for Leica M (VM mount) and, with electronic contacts, for Sony E and Nikon Z. The optical formula is the same across mounts, according to Cosina.

Optical design

The lens has 12 elements in 8 groups. As the APO-Lanthar name suggests, it follows an apochromatic design that aims to bring the axial chromatic aberration of red, green and blue as close to zero as possible. On the Nikon Z page Cosina states that 6 of the 12 elements are made of anomalous partial dispersion glass, 2 elements are aspherical on both sides, and a floating mechanism is used. The aperture has 12 blades, and the smallest aperture is f/16. Cosina calls it the highest-performing wide-angle lens in Voigtländer's history.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual with an all-metal helicoid. On Sony E and Nikon Z the closest focus distance is 0.28 m (1:6.9). The Leica M version focuses to 0.5 m: the rangefinder coupling covers infinity to 0.7 m, and beyond that the lens can be focused with live view. The Sony E version has an aperture click-stop switch, so the aperture ring can be set to move without clicks, which keeps ring noise out of video audio. On E and Z, electronic contacts record Exif data, allow focus magnification and support in-body stabilization.

Build and size

The three versions differ in size. The M version weighs 265 g and measures 55.6 x 50.0 mm with a 49 mm filter thread. The Sony E version weighs 325 g and measures 62.6 x 58.8 mm, also with 49 mm filters, and ships with a hood. The Nikon Z version weighs 350 g, measures 68.8 x 60.0 mm and takes 58 mm filters, with a reversible bayonet hood.

Where it fits

On Leica M, Voigtländer's own Ultron 28mm f/2 VM II covers the same focal length and aperture. Other 28mm options include the Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH on M, and the Sony FE 28mm F2, Viltrox AF 28mm F1.8 and Nikon Nikkor Z 28mm F2.8 with autofocus on E and Z.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Apochromatic design with special dispersion glass and aspherical elements
• Very compact, especially on Leica M at 265 g
• Close focus down to 0.28 m on E and Z
• 12-blade aperture and a hood included

Cons

• Manual focus only
• Leica M version needs live view below 0.7 m
• No stabilization in the lens
• Heavier and larger on Nikon Z than on the other mounts

Verdict

The APO-Lanthar 28mm f/2 is a small, carefully built wide-angle for photographers who accept manual focus and want strong control of color fringing. It makes most sense where the autofocus alternatives are larger or slower.