Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 Macro or Zeiss 100mm f/2 Macro?

I'm trying to decide between these two lenses. It looks like prices are similar on both.

I've used Zeiss 50MP and was told 100MP is very similar in IQ... so I know what to expect from the 100MP... and I've seen sample archive as well.

How does Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 compare to the Zeiss 100MP in terms of IQ, color, bokeh, and CA?

It looks like Voigtlander goes 1:1 but Zeiss goes only to 1:2. MFD on Voigtlander is 38cm compared to 44cm on the 100MP.

Based on the fact that I would like a macro lens which can double as a portrait lens, am I better off with the Voigtlander or the Zeiss?

I'm leaning towards the Voigtlander but wanted to get some advice.

thanks.

Anyone??

I guess not many had the opportunity to use these lenses...

Both are *very* good. In my opinion the most important question is if you need 1:1 magnification. Also, AFAIK the 100 MP has some issues with LoCA, while the Voigtlander is an apochromatic design.

A better place to ask this question might be the fredmiranda.com alt forum, I'm guessing there's more people who have hands-on expreience with these lenses there.

I haven't used either but if I could get it at a reasonable price, I would get the Voigtlander. Its too bad its sitting on EBay at around the same price as the Zeiss. To wet your whistle here's a Flickr group devoted towards the Voigtlander...

http://www.flickr.com/​groups/421411@N20/pool​/page1/

I'll go for Voigtlander. From the pictures I've seen, it is THE BEST short telephoto lens ever made. It has wonderful rendering and is the only apochromatic lens for EF mount. Its a pity Cosina discontinued it. But if you can find one you will not regret.

I have CV125 but not Zeiss so I can't compare those two in terms of blah blah....
However I can say you would not be disappointed with CV125 especially if you're looking for 1:1 macro and top notch bokeh with No CA.

Recently I sold all my camera gear ie, 5D, lenses, accessories, etc,....
The only thing I didn't sell is the CV125.

Get the voightlander man!!!

Here are a few Voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 Macro vs Zeiss 100mm f/2 makro comparisons (Nikon / Pentax).

http://thepictorial.co​m …lash-of-the-titan-macros/
http://www.flickr.com …g/sets/72157606​786261987/

If you have more of a need for 1:1, then I would for sure get the Voigtlander. Other than that I would try to compare the unique characteristics of each lens and let that be the deciding factor. Like color rendering, etc.

I can only speak for the Zeiss 100 by looking in the lens archive and I'm really impressed what that piece of glass can do in the right hands. The bokeh that it produces is like a painting. It's AMAZING!

Both are excellent - which one to get depends on your priorities. The Voigtländer is better corrected for LoCA wide open and has a closer focusing distance. The Zeiss 100 MP has a higher micro contrast, stronger color rendering and overall a typically Zeiss drawing style.

125/2.5 vs 100/2 also makes a difference. You get greater magnification for macros with 125mm but you get better low light performance with f/2 and 125mm requires slightly higher shutter speeds to get a good shot handheld.

Does he voigtlander have auto (electromachnetic) aperture on native EF mount? To me that would be a big plus since I change apertures a LOT while shooting macro.
I've been wanting this lens for a long time and recently saw one in a different mount with ef adapter, but decided against it because auto aperture would be a must for me. From what I've seen, IQ and bokeh are amazing, as well as the ability to get to 1:1.

Here are a few Voigtlander 125mm galleries since the Zeiss images are easier to come by.

Voigtlander 125mm
Voigtlander 125mm (5D)
Voigtlander 125mm (Pentax)

TweakMDS wrote in post #11102994
Does he voigtlander have auto (electromachnetic) aperture on native EF mount? To me that would be a big plus since I change apertures a LOT while shooting macro.

Yep. I have EF mount and can control apertures with wheels.

Had a chance to own the voigtlander...and I probably should have nabbed it. It is probably the best of the best macro lenses that go 1:1. The Zeiss 100mm is incredible as well but it does lack 1:1. You can't go wrong, but get the voigtlander.

I think these two shots, even at websize (remember to view them larger), show how great this lens can be. A mixture of pure sharpness, great color rendition, lovely Depth of Field falloff and bokeh rendition...

http://www.flickr.com …27895/in/pool-825863@N22/

http://www.flickr.com …27677/in/pool-825863@N22/

The great thing about the lens too, from what I've seen, is since it handles contrast a little more delicately than the Zeiss it'll probably work very well as a portrait lens.