Cosina will release a new VM mount lens under the Voigtlander brand, the APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 Type I/II VM, in August 2024. The suggested retail prices are as follows:
- Type I Two-tone : Approx. $730
- Type I Matte black paint : Approx. $700
- Type II Silver : Approx. $700
- Type II Black paint : Approx. $650
The Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 is a high-performance manual focus standard lens optimized for full-size M-mount sensors. The apochromatic design thoroughly eliminates various aberrations, including axial chromatic aberration, while also pursuing performance in terms of resolution and contrast reproduction. The maximum aperture is F3.5. This aperture is standard for lenses for rangefinder cameras. The luxurious construction is of 6 groups and 8 elements, with anomalous partial dispersion glass in 4 of them. In shooting, the optical performance is uncompromised.
The combination of optical performance and compactness that the APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 Type II aims to achieve is one of the ideal forms. In addition, the exterior design adopts a slim and stylish style reminiscent of the lenses for rangefinder cameras that appeared in the mid-20th century.
APO-LANTHAR 50mm Type I
The APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 Type I is equipped with a highly accurate rangefinder linkage mechanism, and the all-metal helicoid provides a silky feel when focusing, along with the thrill of focusing using a traditional rangefinder.
The minimum shooting distance of Type I is 0.45m, achieved by adopting a linear helicoid that can be extended further from 0.7m (depending on the camera attached) linked to the rangefinder. The mechanism that allows you to recognize the branching point of the rangefinder linkage range with a click during focus operation is equipped. The filter diameter is φ34mm, giving it a retro feel. The exterior of the body is available in two types: a heavy-looking model (body weight 245g) with a two-tone black paint and chrome brass material, and a lightweight and bold model (body weight 150g) with matte black paint and aluminum material. Each model comes with a metal hood and a metal slip-on cap with the same black paint and matte black paint finish as the body.
APO-LANTHAR 50mm Type II
The APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 Type II is equipped with a highly accurate rangefinder interlocking mechanism. The all-metal helicoid provides a silky feel to the operation, as well as the thrill of focusing using a traditional rangefinder. The minimum shooting distance of the Type II is 0.35m, achieved by adopting a helicoid with a rotation angle of 300 degrees that can be extended further from 0.7m (depending on the camera attached) that is linked to the rangefinder.
The rangefinder coupling range branch point is equipped with a mechanism that allows you to recognize it with a click during focusing. The filter diameter is φ39mm, which is the traditional size of interchangeable lenses for rangefinder cameras. The exterior of the body is available in two types: a heavy-looking model (body weight 250g) made of silver brass, and a lightweight model (body weight 175g) painted black with aluminum in some parts. The silver model comes with a metal hood in the same color as the body and a matte-finished black metal slip-on cap, while the black model comes with a metal hood and metal cap painted black in the same color as the body.
