Voigtl�nder Apo-Lanthar 125/2.5 vs. Apo Telezenitar 135/2.8

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

The 125mm F/2.5 Apo-Lanthar has now gained some kind of a cult status as one of the sharpest and most aberration free lens in its focal length.

On the other hand, the 135mm F/2.8 Apo Telezenitar is almost unknown to the general public and samples taken with this lens are rarely seen on the photographic forums. But I find the Telezenitar quite interesting as one of the cheapest apochromats in this focal length, and certainly much cheaper than the crazy prices the Apo-Lanthar is selling nowadays.

Of course, the Apo-Lanthar is a macro lens focusing down to 38 cm, offering the 1:1 ratio without any accessory, while the Apo Telezenitar only focuses down to 1.3 m (0.13 X magnification). But, as a general purpose telephoto, sharp, with nice colors, lots of contrast and a great bokeh, the Russian lens is worth considering, especially at around $250 US new. Of course, for this price you don't get a true 100% apochromatic lens and you might notice a bit of longitudinal chromatic aberrations and purple fringing when used wide open, but it is certainly much better than any zoom and even better than most of the primes, at least those without any special glass element.

Today, I did a few pictures to compare the Apo-Lanthar and the Apo Telezenitar. Nothing scientific, just some casual pictures to get an idea of the positioning of the Russian outsider relatively to the Japanese champion.

Here are the pictures, all taken wide open (F/2.5 for the Apo-Lanthar and F/2.8 for the Apo Telezenitar). I have deliberately chosen busy backgrounds to test the bokeh. Obviously, framing is not exactly the same between picture pairs, as the Voigtl�nder lens has a slightly shorter focal length, which I tried to compensate by moving a bit closer. Also, you may notice that focus is not exactly on the same plane from one picture to the next, as these were taken handheld, and a 125/135 mm lens has a very narrow depth of field when used wide open. Anyway, my purpose was not to compare the sharpness, which none of these lenses lack.

Apo Telezenitar (1.3 m min. focus):

Apo-Lanthar:

Apo Telezenitar (1.3 m min. focus):

Apo-Lanthar:

Apo Telezenitar (30 meters - chromatic aberrations torture test):

Apo-Lanthar (30 meters - chromatic aberrations torture test):

100% crop from previous picture (Apo Telezenitar) - of course the color fringes are there:

100% crop from previous picture (Apo-Lanthar) - even the Voigtl�nder lens is not perfect here:

Cheers!

Abbazz

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Thanks for the interesting comparison!
In spite of the obvious CA, the Apozenitar looks like a very decent performer in the other photographic situations.
For sure in normal "everyday" shots the difference in price between the two lenses only shows marginally.

AhamB · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 733 Location: Germany

Abbazz, did you use the same WB for both lenses? The difference is quite striking between the shots of the crucifix.

aleksanderpolo · Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 684

Wow the bokeh of the Apo Lanthar in the torture test is amazing. Thanks for the test. But the Apo telezenitar is not easy to find... Confused

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4045 Location: Netherlands

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

I'm quite astonished how that "lens test" came out, comparing an Apo TELE-Zenitar and a MACRO Apo Lanthar; as Peter mentioned, apples and oranges.

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

thePiRaTE!! · Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 416 Location: Canada

I guess they are quite different lenses as a package, but at their respective focal lengths and being billed APO, why not compare within that scope?

Looks like for the price, the Zenitar does alright. Bokeh has a different character, good in it's own right if a little busier. IQ appears strong at web size. As pointed out, the WB seems warmer on the Lanthar shots.

Fwiw, I do these sort of unscientific tests for myself all the time to define hierarchy in lenses that share duties. Sometimes a coarse judgement is all that is required.

Anyway, I hadn't even heard of this lens before, so thx Abazz for the peek.

K.

BRunner · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 705 Location: Czech Republic

Here is few hi-res test shots with APO-Telezenitar. Unfortunately the "APO" designation is little exaggerated. Definitely not on pair with APO Lanthars (90 and 180) or Leica APO lenses (APO-Telyt 180 and Macro-Elmarit 100).
Still it's one of best russian lenses I have. In my eyes it compares well with my Elmarit-R 2.8/135, but Telezenitar has dull colors and contrast in bad light conditions in comparison to Elmarit.

Overall stopped down to f4 and in good light it's capable lens.

gillbod · Joined: 24 Aug 2010 Posts: 28

thanks for this comparison.

i was desperate for information on this lens a while ago (i even posted here earlier asking for info).

it seems that it does do pretty well in the apo-stakes, but not so well in the bokeh stakes.

do you have any opinion as to how it performs at f/4? if the longitudinal ca disappears and the bokeh smooths out, the apo-telezenitar might be a great buy.[/url]

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

As I did compare the Apo Telezenitar to the Apo-Lanthar, which is indeed a macro lens, you might want to know what is this lens worth when used in close focus photography. Here are some pictures taken with extension tubes (magnification ratio is around 1:2).

Wide open at F/2.8, depth of field is razor thin but bokeh is rather nice (a bit nervous at times but no brightlines in specular highlights):

And now two sets of two pictures. In each set, the first picture was taken at F/2.8 and the second one at F/5.6:

Cheers!

Abbazz

james · Expire: 2011-12-28

JohnBee · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 179

james · Expire: 2011-12-28

cyberjunkie · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 4:35 pm Post subject: APO and non-APO Telezenitar 135mm

I still don't know the real difference between the two versions of the Telezenitar.
Are the optical designs substantially different?
Anybodys's got a clue?
If any other forum user had the chance to test any of the two lenses, what's your opinion?
Comparatively, how they perform compared with the best vintage lenses of the same FL?
Among all the 135mm's I own, I have a preference for the Leitz Canada 2.8/135mm (converted to PK mount) and the Tokina made Soligor C/D P 2/135mm (M42). One is sharp enough and has a great rendering, while the other is fast and has a great bokeh. Neither is super sharp, sooner or later I'd like to try the Samyang. I'm just waiting for a nice second-hand example in PKA mount, but it's taking forever Sad

Vintage 135mm lenses were in general quite good, and even very humble ones perform much better than I expected.
I extensively tried two 2.8/135mm, a "silver" Porst (Sun made) and a late plasticky Enna, shooting events and concerts, and surprisingly both were not so far from the best of the pack...

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

cyberjunkie · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2018 6:34 pm Post subject:

To atone for not having properly searched the forum before posting, here is the link of a nice comparison with the Tair 11 and and Jupiter 37A
http://www.deep-life.ru/test-4/index.htm
It's in russian but Google Translate does a good job making the page easy to understand.
Regarding the MC APO Telezenitar-M I found very different impressions/comments online.
Pictures speak by themselves, isn't it?
The jpg's linked in that page show with good evidence that the Apo Tlezenitar obliterates the Jupiter, and beats the Tair.
Both are respected lenses, and the Tair sells for good money nowadays.

Btw, I just found one.
Not a major stroke of luck, but a good deal indeed.
Its a new old stock, made in 1993, with original caps.
The iris is blocked fully closed for lack of use. I guess it's because of congealed grease thas has migrated to the pivots/blades.
The blades are all there and look fine, so it should be quite easy to clean.
Any advice about cleaning strategy?
I'd like to try to clean from one side first, is it easier to access from the front or the back?

All in all, if the lens performs as it should, I guess it should be considered a nice find.
I paid half the price of a Tair 11 in dubious conditions. I will play with it with no overspending remorse Smile

cheers
Paolo

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

cyberjunkie · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 12:59 pm Post subject: