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Voigtlander SL Series I SLR Lenses (Discontinued)
Click Here for Current Production SLII Series II Lens INFO
Left to Right: 90/3.5 APO, 125/2.5 APO on Nikon FE2, 75/2.5, 12/5.6 ASPH on Nikon F2, 15/4.5 ASPH on Nikon F, 180/4 APO on Nikon EM, 40/2 on Nikon FM3A, 125 and 180 in close focus positions
Back Row Left to Right: 180/4 APO, 125/2.5 APO, 90/3.5 APO, 75/2.5, 40/2 ASPH, Front Row Left to Right 12mm Finder, 12/5.6 ASPH, Nikon F/F2 Accessory Shoe Finder, 15/5.6 ASPH, 15mm Finder
The now discontinued Voigtlander Series I SL lenses were a limited edition series of LUXURY SLR lenses produced in Japan by Cosina: 12/5.6 Aspherical, 15/4.5 Aspherical, 40/2 Aspherical, 75/2.5, 90/3.5 APO, 125/2.5 APO 1:1 Macro and 180/4 APO. All feature very high quality traditional construction, and are styled to look like classic Zeiss Contarex lenses even down to the chrome bayonet on lens hoods. Available fixed mounts at one time available were Nikon AIS, Canon FD, Pentax K-A, Pentax 42mm Screw Mount, Minolta MD, Contax / Yashica MM, and Olympus OM. The 12 and 15 are available ONLY in Nikon F mount for mirror lockup. Leica R mount was NOT available. All SL series 1 lenses use the Nikon style of helical focusing direction. They were a bonanza of quality manual focus lens choices for fans of these all but discontinued manual focus SLR bodies. Mr. Kobayashi (the President of Cosina) very much enjoys unusual lens designs. Of the 7 Voigtlander SL 1 lenses, it is noteworthy 3 are Aspherical and 3 are Apochromatic. In terms of their respective speeds, focal lengths, and Aspherical and Apochromatic optical designs, each of the Voigtlander SL lenses were the ONLY SLR lenses of their specifications manufactured at that time.
Collecting all 7 plus the 58/1.4 Topcor, Nikon F/F2 Accessory Base, and F-S and F-L lens adapters is a VERY challenging goal!
Left to Right: 125/2.5 APO, 15/4.5 ASPH, Nikon FM3A, 12/5.6 ASPH, 180/4 APO, 90/3.5 APO, 40/2 ASPH, 75/2.5. The 12 and 15 are stored with their finders mounted on their lens caps, like Nikon's 1st SLR super wide angle lens, the classic 21/4 Nikkor of 1959.
Voigtlander SL Series I SL 12/5.6 and 15/4.5 Aspherical
in Nikon Mirror Lock up Mount, for Nikon F/F2 as well as Nikon, Contax (not G series), Leica Screw Mount, and Leica M mount Rangefinders with adapters.
See Separate 12 / 15 SL Lens Page
SL 12 and 15 lenses produced in Nikon F Mirror Lockup Mount Only
The Voigtlander SL I 12/5.6 mounted on a Nikon SP, and the Voigtlander SL 15/4.5 mounted on a Nikon F2. This non-retrofocus Voigtlander 12mm lens is the widest non fish eye ever made for either Nikon Rangefinder or Nikon SLRs. These are the same non-retrofocus optics as Voigtlander's Leica screw mount lenses, but produced in Nikon F mount designed for mirror lock up, with higher standards of finish and machining than the Leica screw lenses. The SL 12 and 15 look like they came off a production line in the late 1950's during the rangefinder's golden era. SPECS: SL 12/5.6, f/stop range 5.6 to 22, half click stops, close focus .3 meters, SL 15/5.6 f/stop range 4.5 to 22, close focus to .3 meters. Finders and front/rear caps included with lenses. Optional are the Nikon F Accessory shoe, F-S adapter, and F-L adapter. See Separate Page
Voigtlander SL Series I 40/2 Ultron Aspherical SOLD OUT
new SL II version available in Nikon AIS mount! INFO
Continued as SLII Series Lens! INFO
The Voigtlander SL 1 40/2 Ultron Aspherical has 6 elements in 5 groups, 9 aperture blades, a smallest aperture f/16, a close focus distance .4 m, a filter size of 52mm, a weight of 255 grams, a diameter 63.5mm, and a length 29.5 mm focused to infinity. The Japanese Cosina website states this lens is exceptionally well corrected, even at f/2. Users have their choice of two optional hoods. One is the "tube" shaped hood above, another looks much like an open dome, and is not illustrated here. Personally, I know of no other 40/2 Aspherical SLR lenses.
Voigtlander SL Series I Topcor 58/1.4 : Sold Out
SLII Series Nikon Mount! INFO
December 2003: Ok folks, some things are stranger than fiction. Mr. Kobayashi likes his Topcon Super D of 1963 enough to style Voigtlander's new silver Bessaflex after it, even producing a Topcon style 58/1.4 complete with the Topcon engraving. Mr. Kobayashi received the blessings of Tokyo Optical, which is still in business manufacturing medical equipment. This lens developed a legendary status in Japan.
The new Voigtlander 58/1.4 Topcor is a new optical design and styled after the classic 58/1.4 Topcor, even down to the Topcor's bayonet on lens hood. These are limited edition lenses, with 800 each announced to be produced in Pentax 42mm screw mount and Nikon AI mount. The lens barrel is out of place in today's plastic lens world, with real classic style chrome, looking just like it came off Topcon's production line in the 1960's. The lens barrel is beautifully made, and rather amazing in the "find any way to make it cheaper" manufacturing times. Side by side the new Topcor is a bit smaller than the original, so the hoods will not interchange. Specs: 7 elements in 6 groups, multi-coated, f/1.4 to f/16, 9 aperture leaves, 58mm filter size, close focus to .45 meter or 1:5.8, weight 305 grams (Nikon).
Voigtlander SL Series I 75/2.5 Color-Heliar SOLD OUT
Voigtlander SL I 90/3.5 on left, Voigtlander SL I 75/2.5 on right
The Voigtlander SL I 75/2.5 Color Heliar has 6 elements in 5 groups, 9 aperture blades, a smallest aperture of f/22, a close focus distance of .7m which works out to be 1:7, a filter size of 49mm, a weight of 250 grams, a diameter of 63.5 mm, and a length 40.2 mm focused to infinity. Personally, I know of no other 75/2.5 SLR lens. Notice the beautifully well done and expensive to machine hood bayonet mount. There are two lens hoods, the round LH-75S and the square LH-75. Both are also used on all mounts of the Voigtlander SL 75/2.5, 90/3.5 and 180/4. To mount the hoods, line up the red dots, push in on the hood, and then rotate the hood clockwise. To remove the hood, rotate it counter clockwise.
Voigtlander SL 1 75/2.5 Color-Heliar with square LH-75 Lens hood.
LH-75S bayonet on Hood with metal lens cap for SL I 75/2.5, 90/3.5, and 180/4
Voigtlander SL Series I 90/3.5 APO-Lanthar Close Focus Lens
The Voigtlander SL 1 90/3.5 APO-Lanthar went on sale in Japan in June 2002. It has 6 elements in 5 groups, 9 aperture blades, a smallest aperture of f/22, a close distance of .5m (which works out to be 1:3.5 magnification), a filter size of 49mm, a weight of 390grams, a diameter 63.5mm, and a length 57.6 mm focused to infinity. Personally, I know of no other 90/3.5 Apochromatic SLR lens. Notice the beautifully well done and expensive to machine hood bayonet mount. There are two lens hoods, the round LH-75S and the square LH-75. Both are also used on all mounts of the Voigtlander SL 75/2.5, 90/3.5 and 180/4. To mount the hoods, line up the red dots, push in on the hood, and then rotate the hood clockwise. To remove the hood, rotate it counter clockwise.
Voigtlander Series I SL 90/3.5 on Pentax LX with round LH-75S Lens Hood
Voigtlander SL 1 90/3.5 and 75/2.5 lenses, at infinity focus and close focus
Voigtlander SL Series I 125/2.5 APO-Lanthar
Apochromatic 1:1 Macro Lens SOLD OUT
The Voigtlander SL I 125/2.5 APO-Lanthar has 11 elements in 9 groups, 9 aperture blades, a smallest aperture of f/22, a close focus distance of 1:1 or .38m, a filter size 58mm, a weight of 690 grams, a diameter of 76 mm, and a length of 88.2 mm focused to infinity. The square hood is included with the lens. Buyers report they are very happy with it. At infinity the lens is 3 1/2" long, at 1:1 just under 6." Notice the beautifully well done and expensive to machine hood bayonet mount. There are two lens hoods, the round LH-75S and the square LH-75. Both are also used on all mounts of the Voigtlander SL 75/2.5, 90/3.5 and 180/4. To mount the hoods, line up the red dots, push in on the hood, and then rotate the hood clockwise. To remove the hood, rotate it counter clockwise. Unlike the other SL lenses, the 125/2.5 was also produced in manual focus Canon EOS and Minolta Maxxum mounts, which are the hardest to find 125 mounts. In the used market the 125/2.5 remains in high demand and enjoys a cult following for its extraordinary performance. In fact, it would not be exaggerating at all to say this lens has become legendary.
Voigtlander SL Series I 180/4 APO-Lanthar Close Focus
Voigtlander Series I 180/4 on Pentax LX with LH-75S Lens Hood
The Voigtlander SL I 180/4 APO-Lanthar has 9 elements in 7 groups, 9 aperture blades, a smallest aperture of f/22, a close focus distance of 1.2 meters or 1:4, 49mm filter size, diameter of 65.6mm, and weight of 485grams. The 180/4 was introduced in September 2003. Notice the beautifully well done and expensive to machine hood bayonet mount. There are two lens hoods, the round LH-75S and the square LH-75. Both are also used on all mounts of the Voigtlander SL 75/2.5, 90/3.5 and 180/4. To mount the hoods, line up the red dots, push in on the hood, and then rotate the hood clockwise. To remove the hood, rotate it counter clockwise.
Prices Voigtlander System Bessa Chart Bessa R2A/R3A Bessa R2 Bessa T Heliar 101 101 PICS Bessa T intro Bessa T T or IIIf? Bessa R Lenses 35/1.2 21/25 Shade
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Revised: June 18, 2018 . Copyright © 2002-13 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
