Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 35 mm f/2 Aspherical review - Image resolution

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Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 35 mm f/2 Aspherical

11 June 2021

Maciej Latałło

4. Image resolution

Our resolution test (resolution meaning the MTF50 function values) of Sony FE lenses is based on RAW files from the 42.4 Mpix sensor of the Sony A7R II or the Sony A7R III camera. In the case of this kind of detector the decency level we set about 39-41 lpmm and the best fixed focal lenses have been able to exceed 70 lpmm. So far, two Sigma lenses have fared the best: we mean here the A 105 mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro (80.4 lpmm) and the C 65 mm f/2 GD DN (82.7 lpmm).

Let's check how the Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 35 mm f/2 Aspherical compares – its results in the frame centre and on edges of the APS-C sensor and full frame we present below.

Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 35 mm f/2 Aspherical - Image resolution

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The performance in the field centre makes us want to clap and cheer. Already at the maximum relative aperture the Apo Lanthar exceeds a very high level of 70 lpmm and by f/2.8 and f/4.0 it comes close to 80 lpmm. It is certainly a performance worth even the best fixed-focal lenses.

Just a slight decrease of resolution observed when you move away from the field centre is also worth noticing. On the edge of the APS-C sensor the results remain excellent because even at the maximum relative aperture the lens is able to come close to 60 lpmm and on stopping down the MTFs approach almost 70 lpmm.

Also the performance on the edge of full frame should be praised - you can't find any weak points there. By f/2.0 the values are near 50 lpmm so very safely above the decency level, and maximum results are able to reach a good level of 60 lpmm.

A graph below proves that, with such a performance, the Voigtlander can defeat its direct rivals hands down.

By f/2.0 and f/2.8 the Apo Lanthar remains unrivalled, simply outclassing other lenses. Only by f/4.0 the Sigma and the Batis are able match its performance. From f/5.6 onwards the results of the Voigtlander are a tad lower than these of other lenses; it might stem not from optical properties but from a specific closure of the aperture - from f/4.0 its shape is rather untypical.

At the end of this chapter, traditionally, we present crops taken from photos of our resolution testing chart, saved as JPEG files along RAW files we used for the analysis above.

A7R III, JPEG, 35 mm, f/2.0