Voigtlander 28MM F2 APO Lanthar review on Nikon ZF

We can all agree that the Voigtlander APO Lanthar's have a reputation for delivering amazing image quality with virtually no chromatic aberration and insane contrast. This new 28MM Apo Lanthar in M mount, should uphold that standard, offering a compact and optically advanced wide angle solution.



Unboxing

Unboxing the lens reveals a beautifully built piece of engineering. Or, as some might say, mechanical jewlery. So far, first impressions do not disapoint. Not to mention inside the box is a lens hood !!!!! How is that for an added bonus?





About this review



It's going to be difficult writing a review about this lens since what I really want to do is just go out there and use it. Since I hate looking at MTF charts or pixel peeping, this review is about its useability from a photographer's perspective. Afterall, how many of us really photograph brick walls or focus on that fuzzy leaf in the bottom right corner of the photograph? Although there is value to some of these technical reviews, today, everyone is obsessed with sharpness and how many megapixels their new camera has. People will spend hours pixel peeping but completely miss the beautiful light falling on a subjects face, or the story unfolding in front of them. The very meaning of an image seems to be fading, eclipsed by a relentless pursuit of technical perfection that often leaves our creativity unfulfilled. For the record, I often fall into this trap of looking for every bit of detail and as I write this review, it is a good reminder that there is more to photography than how advanced the camera used to capture the image is.



Lastly, to get this review out quickly, photo opportunities were limited by time. As a result, you won't find well composed or artistic shots. The priority was capturing images for this review. How is that for an excuse for poorly composed photographs?



This s a Rangefinder camera site. Why use the Nikon Zf for a Rangefinder Lens?


The Zf has become a unique companion for my M mount glass. While I will always adore the tactile simplicity of the M11, the Zf offers a "laboratory" environment for testing manual lenses that a traditional rangefinder can’t match:

Focus Precision: Using the TTArtisan adapter, the Zf provides a green focus confirmation box via subject detection. For a photographer with a few decades of shooting under my belt—and e
yes that aren't quite what they used to be—this removed the "rangefinder doubt." It allowed me to verify the APO-Lanthar’s legendary sharpness without any risk of user misfocus.
Macro Capabilities: When paired with the Voigtlander Close Focus adapter, the 28mm APO transcends its M-mount limitations. I was able to focus down to just a few inches, testing the lens's correction and rendering at distances a standard rangefinder body simply cannot reach.
Ergonomic Stability: With the Neewer grip attached, the Zf provided a rock-solid platform to evaluate the lens's handling and edge-to-edge performance under various conditions.






NOTE: Although many pictures in this review were taken with the ZF, there are also images in the review which were captured with the M11.



The Verdict

Even though the "work" was done on the Nikon Zf to facilitate the adapter review, the soul of this lens remains purely rangefinder. The Voigtlander 28mm APO Lanthar delivers a level of
clinical perfection and apochromatic correction that feels like it was born for the M system, whether you are focusing via a patch or a high resolution EVF.



About the new Voigtlander 28MM F2 APO Lanthar



In the world of demanding optics, the Voigtlander APO Lanthar series has garnered a reputation for its technical performance, often compared to lenses costing many times its price. The new 28mm F2 APO Lanthar continues this legacy, exhibiting exceptional sharpness and aberration correction.








Build



Beyond its optical prowess, the 28 APO truly distinguishes itself through its exceptional build quality. In a world where plastic and compromise are increasingly common, this lens feels like a throwback to an era when lenses were built to last a lifetime. Pick it up, and the immediate impression is one of solid, dense metal. A reassuring weight that speaks to precision engineering. The focus ring is a marvel. It's perfectly damped, offering just the right amount of resistance for precise adjustments, yet buttery smooth throughout its throw. Whether you're making minute tweaks for critical sharpness or racking focus quickly from near to far, the experience is consistently enjoyable.



The aperture ring clicks into place with satisfying, positive detents, making it easy to select your desired aperture by feel without even looking away from the viewfinder. However, since this is an M mount lens withoutany coding, these values are not transmitted to the camera for recording.



The engraved markings, filled with paint, are clear and durable. In many ways, the tactile experience of handling this lens rivals, and in some aspects, even surpasses that of its much more expensive Leica counterparts. While Leica lenses are undeniably masterworks of craftsmanship, Voigtlander's latest APO Lanthar series seems to have taken a page from that same playbook, delivering a product that feels every bit as robust and refined. This is a lens that inspires confidence the moment you pick it up. This level of refined construction really enhances the shooting experience.



Well done Voigtlander !!!










Note about EXIF data and TTArtisan Adapter



The APO Lanthar M mount is a non coded Leica M manual fous lens. Thus no data regarding aperture or focal length is transmitted to the camera for recording. Since I am using the TTArtisan adapter which provides focus confirmation and transmits this data to the camera. It relys on user interaction. The user must set the focal length on the adapter and the aperture on the camera if you wish to record this data. On a few occasions, I accidentally changed the focal length setting on the adapter and forgot to set the aperature on the camera to correspond with the aperture on the lens. Although this has no affect on the image, it will display the incorrect data in the EXIF file. But don't frett, As you upload files on Nikon-ZF.com, you have the option of correcting this during the upload process and I have done so when needed.





















































Close focus

One of the most intriguing aspects of any wide angle lens that can focus relatively close is its ability to render background blur, at wider apertures. The 28 APO, with its max aperture of F2 and 0.5m/19.6 inch minimum focusing distance offers significant opportunities for subject isolation, even with a wide field of view.

Throw the Voigtlander M to Z adapter with the ability to focus even closer, and now you have even greater subject isolation.










While a 28mm lens at f/2 won't produce the extreme subject separation of a longer, faster prime, the quality of the blur it does achieve at close focus distances is exceptional. This makes it surprisingly versatile for environmental portraits or capturing details with a hint of separation from their surroundings without jarring distractions. The ability to push that focus just a little bit closer than traditional M lenses truly allows for very pleasing bokeh.

This particular image was shot t F2.8












After spending time with this lens, I can confidently say I am extremely satisfied with it. Its blend of exceptional optical performance and genuinely enjoyable handling makes it a standout. For anyone seeking a premium 28mm prime that offers an incredibly joyous experience especially when paired with a camera like the Nikon ZF, I highly recommend giving this lens a serious look. It's truly a joy to shoot with.










When shooting wide open at f/2 and close to its minimum focus distance, the bokeh rendering is, in a word, clean.



This is where the APO designation truly shines. Unlike some wide angle lenses that can exhibit busy or harsh out of focus areas, particularly with high contrast backgrounds or specular highlights, the 28mm APO delivers a remarkably smooth and creamy blur. There's an absence of distracting chromatic aberration around highlights, a testament to its apochromatic correction. Thus, "APO" in the product name really means something. Point light sources, often a tell tale sign of less refined bokeh, are rendered as soft, evenly illuminated circles, thanks in part to the 12 blade aperture diaphragm which maintains a round shape even when slightly stopped down. The transition from in focus to out of focus areas is gradual and pleasing, avoiding abrupt cut offs that can make a subject appear pasted onto the background.


















The 28mm is a great choice for street photographers, offering a unique set of advantages for composition and cropping due to its moderately wide field of view. Here are just a few samples of some basic street photography with the 28. The sheer joy of shooting with the Voigtlander 28 paired with the Nikon ZF really boils down to how wonderfully they work together, both in your hands and in your bag. It’s a setup that just feels right.


















Sharpness

Voigtlander has made the bold statement that the 28mm APO Lanthar is their sharpest wide angle lens to date, a claim that, in practical use based on my experience with the lens so far, holds up. From the very first shots the impression of sharpness is immediate. This isn't just about center sharpness at optimal apertures, the lens delivers exceptional detail and clarity right into the corners of the frame.. This performance is particularly impressive for a wide angle lens, making it a fantastic choice for subjects where edge to edge sharpness is crucial, such as architectural photography, landscapes, or group shots. ( There you go. I got the tech talk out of the way and done with ).

Beyond resolution, what truly elevates the 28mm APO's image quality is its superb contrast. The images it produces have a pop, with deep, rich blacks and vibrant, yet natural, colors. The absence or near elimination of chromatic aberrations means that fine details retain their integrity and color purity, even at points of high contrast. There's no distracting color fringing to muddy edges or reduce sharpness. This high micro contrast is key to making subjects stand out with a crispness that is truly delightful.


































This combination of exceptional sharpness and contrast means that files from this lens are incredibly robust. They hold up well to cropping and aggressive post processing, offering immense flexibility. The "technical reviews" which I will leave up to others to do might confirm these observations, but from a practical, shooting perspective, the lens simply delivers images that are clean, detailed, and vibrant, consistently exceeding my expectations. I lov ethis lens!

As soon as I get a chance to truly use this lens without time constraints, I will update this posting with images taken with the M11 higher resolution sensor which will offer even better cropping opportunities.