Voigtländer Heliar 3.5/10.5 cm (1927)

[Ingo]

This is a really legendary lens, the Voigtländer Heliar. This is the fastest version of the orginaly Heliar the f 3.5/ 10.5 cm. It was mounted on the top model BERGHEIL ( 6,5 x9cm) from 1927.

Inspired thru a forum member, I made a simpel adapter, and used my Sigma SD14 as cheap Digback on my Voigtländer Bergheil. The only disappointment on this construction, no focus to infinity.

The Heliar was designed in 1900 from Dr. Hans Harting for the Voigtländer company. The Heliar is one of the reason of Voigtländers world renomee,
the other reason was the unbelievable quality of there products.

BTW: After WWII, in 1945, Dr. Hans Harting (in the age of 77 years) came back from pension, and became chief scientist of the Carl Zeiss Jena Company (Zeiss East). He was one of the persons, who made the rebuilding of Carl Zeiss Jena possible.

What´s so special with this lens? Generally the resolution is very high (much higher as comparable tessar types, but the micro contrast (edge contrast) is low.
That is no contradiction, it´s only uncommon. The result is, the edges of objects have a smooth transition from the edge of the object to the background.
Voigtländer called this in german "duftige Schärfe" it meant in english fluffy sharpness..

The overall image contrast is great for a uncoated lens and of the same level as the Helios-40. The low edge contrast is visible from f3.5 to f6.3. At higher aperture, the edge contrast increased.

What is the purpose for this type of lens? This lens has many faces. First one, in the range of f3.5 to f6.3 it´s a perfect portrait lens. It reproduced all details, without a harsh sharpness.
The bokeh is dreamy. Stopped down to f9 and above, this Heliar has a breathtakingly resolution and it´s useful for every work.

Thank you for your interest

Ingo

Voigtländer Bergheil 6,5x9 cm (1927)



Bergheil with Sigma SD14




#1 wide open f3.5



#2 wide open f3.5



#3 100% crop f3.5



some bokeh samples

#4 wide open f 3.5



#5 f4.5



#6 f6.3



#7 macro handheld f6.3 and 1/160s



#8 100% crop



#9 macro 1:1, f11, tripod, MLU, IR-release



#10 100% crop



#11 100% crop

[luisalegria]

That is seriously good for such an old lens ! It is indeed very sharp at f 3.5, with no flare or contrast problem and a very delicate effect.

And you have a very cute daughter btw !

[Laurence]

SERIOUSLY good is right! Wow! Very impressive output, with the macros taking the prize among these. Although...the portraits are simply luscious as well. NICE work!

[Orio]

Seems like a great lens with an excellent bokeh. Congratulations!

[LucisPictor]

Defnitely a WOW-lens!
It looks gorgeous and it performs really well. Congratulations!
And I like your solution to mount the lens to the cam.

[Attila]

Amazing !! Lens and your presentation too! Mount is so clever!

[vilva]

Heliar is one of the very few lenses I'm still hunting for, but the price level is generally well above what I'm prepared to pay for one.

Veijo

[estudleon]

Heliar. For medium format. Apo lanthar in the greats leages. Voigtlander quality. Greats pictures. Wonderfull models. I like all the pictres. But Continue, and show us shots at 5,6 (or equivalent), 8, show more, please!!!

[padiej]

That´s unbelievable!
This art of precision in the past, to create such lenses, i can´t believe it.

Thank´s for the pictures.

greetings Peter