Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 50mm f2.0 Aspherical VM-Mount Lens for Leica M, (BA362A)

This lens is perfect. Colors pop, contrast is crazy good, and it has that 3D pop (excellent mircrocontrast). The lens is a bit longer (physically speaking) than what I like but that is a minor thing. It is pricy, but that is also dependent on what you are used to, because coming from other Voightlanders, Zeiss, and Leica glass, some will see it as a bargain.I did start this review by sayin that this lens was perfect, so if you are looking for character; you will not get it here. I would have kept the lens had not I had the Nokton 50mm f1.2 already which serves two purposes for me. Wide open, the Nokton gives me that dreamy softer look which is great for portraits. Step down to f2 and the Nokton is sharper in the center but it does not match the sharpness across the frame of the APO at f2. If you are worried about this being an f2, nothing to worry there; there is plenty of shallow depth of field. It is not a Nokton f1.2 which melts the entire background but the APO at f2 does a fantastic job. I may eventually come back to this lens at some point but could not sell my Nokton for this lens today, but that could change :-)

one year after playing with this lens I cant stress enough how incredible it is. We can sit here and make arguments about the rendering vs a summicron or any other m available 50mm but this piece of glass could be use for a lifetime and never need any other. It is that good. F2 is the sweet spot for me. Clean, with some character and absolutely incredibly smooth bokeh.You want to be picky, I wish it was the size of a summicron V5 or I wish it did not have a chrome nose, but lets be honest, those are just silly complains that mean nothing.Possibly in the top 5 of best 50mm lenses ever made, And I have a plethora of them

The hype is real. This lens is breathtakingly sharp, wide open.

When pairing with Leica M11, for some reasons pictures show some magenta casts, I.e. not as vivid as my Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux lens. Built quality decent for the price. The hype is just over the top. Not recommended as there’re many cheap and cheerful 50mm M mount out there.

An excellent modern lens for Leica M.

The lens is not just (said with disdain) a "good value for the money" or "a good value for those who can't afford the Leica APO Summicron". It actually as good or better than the APO Summicron. Look at the reviews in and out of Amazon. Bascially, for about 80 percent less money than the Leica APO, you get intense, lush color and microcontrast, and tack sharp detail , Cons? well. . .it doesn't focus quite as close, it's slightly bigger, and slightly homely compared to Leica's 8000 dollar plus lens. Can you live with that, and get a lens that takes photos which look as good or better than the Leica APO --- for 80 percent less money? I could, did, and have the 35 APO Lanthar as well. My go-to lenses now.

Perfect mechanics.....period.Premium optics.VM version 100% compatible with Pentax Q7.

Excellent product & service!