Opinions needed on 35mm RF lenses Tanaka vs Voigtlander

wayno · Joined: 08 Jun 2015 Posts: 52 Location: SE Indiana, USA

I am on the verge of purchasing my first RF lens. I have decided to go with 35mm.

The candidates, at present, are voigtlander 35 1.7 and the Tanaka 35 2.8.

I was all set on the Voigtlander, when I found a post on this forum that included a few shots taken with the Tanaka. It was of a purple flower, and was mesmerizing. I cannot recall ever having been so captivated by a flower picture. It has, once again, screwed me up in my decision.

I note that the down side of the Tanaka is 1) slower, and 2) about 25 to 35% higher cost.

There is not much information out there on the Tanaka lenses, while the net abounds with praise for the Voigtlander lens. I am curious: is the Tanaka 35 2.8 a superior quality lens, justifying a significant price premium?

tb_a · Expire: 2019-08-28

Wayno, the relatively high price of the Tanar is because of it's rarity. Those lenses are from the 1950's and not available in masses. That's more or less all. It's a collector's item. Though I can't say anything about it's quality.
I would go for the Voigtlaender instead. I am very satisfied with mine.
Alternatively you could look for a Jupiter 12 in LTM. It's also F2.8 like the Tanar but far cheaper and offers quite good quality.

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

Thank you, it was my flower!! Very Happy

I partly agree, the Tanaka is perhaps more of a collectors item, but can shoot nice pictures as well. Build quality is good, and the classic drawing is nice and I would rate it better than the J-12, but slightly behind Nikkor 35mm f/2.5 and Canon Serenar 35mm f/2.8.

More samples here:
http://manuellfokus.no/tanaka-kogaku-tanar-35mm-f2-8/

Corner sharpness is not really good at f/2.8 and it has only been observed about 900 copies between earliest serial and last known serial.
So yes, the Tanaka is more expensive because of rarity.

I have never tested the CV 35 f/1.7, but I`m pretty sure it is just as good as the Tanaka or probably better Wink

wayno · Joined: 08 Jun 2015 Posts: 52 Location: SE Indiana, USA

tb_a & Nordentro

Thanks for the response. As a person unfamiliar with the lenses, I am going to go with your responses and pull the trigger on the Voigtlander. I figure it is a safe bet.

Nordentro

Wow! What a great set of photos. I am amazed. If you do not mind my asking, what camera were you using to create them?

Best regards, and thanks again to both of you.

Wayne

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

Wayne, I used the Sony A7 II on these.

Good luck in pulling the trigger and do not forget to share some results as well Wink

Cheers
Lars

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

I don't have the Tanar nor the CV 1.7/35 but some other RF lenses from the 50s and a few other CV wide angles and believe it is safe to say that RF lenses from the 50s, as compared to CV lenses, will have less contrast, additionally will be more susceptible to contrast loss if shot against light, most likely more easily will exhibit color fringing and produces glowing highlights. Therefore one may say that the more modern CVs are 'better', however some of us will prefer the look created by the old lens.