While Sony and others concentrate on developing lenses with stunning autofocus, Voigtlander continues to bring modern takes on vintage, manual focus lenses to market. The Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm F2 ($999) is one example. It's a manual focus macro with 1:2 magnification, a bright f/2 design, and exceptionally sharp, apochromatic optics. The real limitation in image quality is how precisely you can set the focus, but when you nail it, the lens nets some fantastic imagery. Still, it's a lens that requires some skill and discipline to use—if you're not a fan of the manual focus experience, you'll certainly be happier with one with autofocus. Classic Outside, Electronic Inside The Macro APO-Lanthar looks and feels like a vintage lens. It features a piano-black finish, with an all-metal exterior. It's a big lens, one that would look more at home on an SLR than a Sony full-frame mirrorless camera. It measures 3.6 by 3.1 inches (HD) when set to infinity, and extends by about two inches wh...
The Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm F2 is capable of capturing incredibly crisp macro images, but is for manual focus aficionados only.
Outstanding resolution; Minimal distortion and vignette; Electronic communication with body; Sturdy, all-metal build; Avoids chromatic aberration
Heavy focus breathing; Manual focus isn't for everyone; Short working distance for 1:2 magnification; Big extension and loss of light when focusing close; Only available for Sony cameras