Our Recommendation
I had a very fun time using the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II during my time with this lens. For me, it was the combination of light weight and excellent image quality that made it the perfect companion for a recent multi-day backpacking trip. True, manual focus can slow you down, but that’s not always a bad thing. I’d recommend slowing down for better photos anyway, as long as the subject allows for it.
As much as I enjoyed this lens, it’s true that it’s a bit niche. I suspect that most photographers will lean toward a 50mm f/1.8 with autofocus instead – especially when something like the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S is such a straightforwardly good value at $630. However, in the world of high-end manual focus lenses, $900 isn’t so bad, especially compared to what Zeiss or Leica would charge for something similar. The Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II is certainly a great lens, so the real value ultimately depends on your situation.
Here’s how I’d sum up the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Best-in-class optical performance in almost every regard, especially sharpness and flare
- Little to no color fringing in out-of-focus areas
- Beautiful bokeh, with a fully circular aperture not just at f/2 but also at f/2.8
- Excellent all-metal build quality with tight tolerances and a great feel
- Small and light for what it offers
Cons:
- External focus design is theoretically worse in bad weather (though in practice, this lens is built so well that it’s a minor concern)
- Aperture must be controlled via the aperture ring on the front of the lens, not via a dial on the camera
- Manual focus limits the lens’s audience and may rule it out for some photographers
- Price of $900, though understandable given the performance, is still on the high side and more expensive than some great 50mm f/1.8 lenses
I can forgive some issues when a lens performs at exceptional levels, and the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II is a great example of why. Normally, I might be pretty harsh on an external focus, manual focus, not-so-fast 50mm lens that still costs $900. But the moment that you hold this lens and appreciate its build quality, things start to change. And then seeing the performance – which even compares favorably against the excellent Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S – most of the little concerns will melt away.
To me, the only serious sticking point left (assuming that f/2 works for your needs) is something that you already knew from the name “Voigtlander” – it’s a manual focus lens. If you can get past that for your photography, and certainly if you consider that a benefit, then this is the lens to get. It receives my highest recommendation.
Conclusion
The Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II is available for $900 through our usual affiliates, although it doesn’t appear to be listed on Adorama at the moment:
- Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II at B&H – Check Current Price and Sales
- Also available (with a different barrel design) for Sony
- Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II on Amazon
- Used/International: Check prices at KEH and on eBay
Thank you for buying your equipment through the links above, whether it’s this lens or anything else! When you do, Photography Life gets a small percentage of the sale without costing you anything extra. It goes a long way to help us test more equipment.
The next and final page of this review contains reader comments. Use the Table of Contents below the star rating to jump to the section of this review that you want. Images and text copyright © Spencer Cox, all rights reserved. Copying or reproduction is not permitted without written permission from the author.
Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 II
- Build Quality and Handling
- Size and Weight
- Sharpness Performance
- Other Image Quality
- Value
Photography Life Overall Rating
Table of Contents