Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 50 mm f/2 Aspherical review - Image resolution

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Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 50 mm f/2 Aspherical

15 July 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 setting our resolution records: 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 50 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 50 mm f/2 Aspherical - Image resolution

One glance at the performance of the lens and you know that in this chapter there will be a lot of well-deserved praise. In the frame centre, at the maximum relative aperture, the Voigtlander gets to a sensational value of 70 lpmm. On stopping down to f/2.8 the lens is able to reach almost 80 lpmm and by f/4.0 its resolution amounts to 81.0 ±0.8 lpmm, a result that ensures it a place on our resolution record list.

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It's also not all of the praise - also on the edge of the frame the Apo Lanthar is able to keep image quality on a very high level, an exception among full frame lenses designed for mirrorless cameras. The values on the edge of the APS-C sensor are so high that in case of any other lens they would be considered very good even in the centre of the field and we would praise them without any doubt.

Similar things you can say about the very demanding edge of full frame. Only an outstanding lens is able to achieve results of 70 lpmm in this place and the Voigtalnder Apo Lanthar 2/50 manages to do it without any problems.

To sum up, it might seem in this chapter we gave the lens a good write-up but, taking everything into account, we think this instrument deserves it completely.

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, 50 mm, f/2.0