Voigtländer 20mm f/3.5 SL lens review with samples (Full-frame & APS-C)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm glad to see you review this one, Christopher. I reviewed it at the same time as the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 ART lens, and obviously the Sigma is a much sharper optic. I ended up purchasing a used copy of the Voigltänder, however, because of the usefulness of such a compact lens at this focal length. It ends up going into my bag on trips and outings and has delivered some great photos along the way. One underrated aspect of the lens is the amazing color rendition, which I actually preferred to the far more modern Sigma, even if I did prefer most other aspects of the image quality from the Sigma.

[@kenward251]

One of my absolutely favorite reviewers commenting on a video by one of my other absolutely favorite reviewers? #mindblown Thank you both for your great reviews and for helping me decide to take a pass on this Voigtlander for my needs.

[@christopherfrost]

I think I had a look at your review a while ago - I really agreed about the colour rendition. It's such an enjoyable lens to use - if I weren't using my new Sony camera all the time I'd be tempted to get one :-)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I know what you mean. I've actually hung onto the Voigtländer 40mm f/2 lens for use on Sony, as I liked it better when I reviewed the a7R2 than I did on my Canons. I'll evaluate after I get my new a7R3 whether or not to keep it or sell it to help pay for the a7r3!~

[@charruaporelmundo]

I got one because of you two reviews :). Intend to use it on a7iii, let's see.

I have, and absolutely love, this lens. Not because it is the best lens ever made, but because it is immensibly usable. I often carry a 24-70 and a 70-300, and I throw the Voigtländer in to cover my ultra wide angle need. The same when I pack only primes. While the characteristics demonstrated in your chart tests are accurate, my real life experience tells me that the lens is beautifully contrasty, has lovely colour and saturation. My 16-35 f/4L may have fewer issues, but I use the Voigtländer much more, because it is just so convenient. To lend your phrase, I highly recommend it :-)

[@alinthemind]

I absolutely adore this camera lens for capturing landscapes!

[@dxkaiyuan4177]

please add a focus breathing test in your videos. The canon 85mm 1.8 works great but the strong focus breathing really ruined it a bit, ive watched several reviews on it but none of them mentioned the issue

[@diegorivera2711]

killer ninja I second this one.

[@CzornyLisek]

Well those are photo lenses not cinema lenses.

[@diegorivera2711]

Czorńy Lisek yes, but focus breathing can affect the focal length (an effect more pronounced at the lens minimum focus distance), to a very large extent. Even at the point of "losing" more than 30 mm than the advertised focal length. It's an interesting test to add.

[@OdO_Gee]

I had this lens a couple years ago on a canon t2i that had been converted to infrared. I achieved super sharp results.

[@PrzemekSmyrdek]

Such a great channel - tons of very useful informations. Keep it up!

[@matrixxhunter]

Thanks for the review. I love your channel.

[@mikewhiles4635]

Love your videos and also 'classic' glass - Voightlanders tend to have high quality but sometimes also high CA levels. Made in the same factory as 99% of Zeiss camera lenses by the same people. Merry Christmas Chris. 🎄🎄🎄

[@TechItOut]

Hope you are enjoying a blessed Christmas from the southern diocese youtuber ;)

[@christopherfrost]

You too - Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@KCAPELGAE]

Damn I miss my little voigtländer... oh well, great review as always, thanks Chris!

[@AlanJurgensenPhotos]

What about sunstars... are there any at f11 f16 or f22 ?

[@tizio83]

Thanks for for time. Precious

[@johnjon1823]

Do you suppose it may have field curvature?

[@raksh9]

I tried the EF mount version on my 5D Mark II in 2010, considered it as a part of a kit for a trip to Japan. I found it pretty soft and a bit glowy wide open, maybe I was trying a bad copy?

[@sergioserramusic]

I think it may be a very interesting lens, for half of its price. Nice to see the 6D again, I’ll probably be getting one soon

[@markbray3038]

I like this alot. I do have this lens for my Nikon D800 which I shot at F16 Hyperfocal style. Its lens hood is an LH-20 which in made in Japan and is also metal screw on type. All my Voigtländer show Ca and all vin a bit. Nothing that cannot be taken out in post which most people will do anyway. I can walk around with 3 lens in my pockets and one on the camera No problem. Nobody thinks your a Pro - because you are carrying big heavy lens and bags. There microcontrast is stunning and there build is wonderful.

[@lauuura007]

Hey christopher! I love your reviews, allways very precise and complete! I really look at your reviews for lens considerations :) have you tried the Voigtländer 58mm 1.4 Nokton for nikon?

[@2artb]

Hey just curious. When you're comparing your full frame to your aps-c camera, how are you keeping the light levels the same. I'm sure you're not adjusting ISO or using ND filters. Are you dimming the level of your lights for the background? Thanks, just curious.

[@FULLofJOHN]

Yay! Been waiting for this one Chris.

[@uncatila]

Can I adapt the canon one to Nikon

[@schregen]

Hope you had a nice Christmas! 🍄💋

[@christopherfrost]

You too - Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@uaglio666]

Merry Christmas Christopher, If your favorit focal length 20mm, you should try the Samyang 20mm f1.8... I can send you mine for a review if you want.

[@christopherfrost]

I hear it's good! Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@yakutoid]

Hi chris, i want to buy low budget ultra wide for my canon 700d, between canon ef-s 10-18mm vs samyang 10mm, which one is better?

[@christopherfrost]

I'd prefer the Canon lens, myself. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@yakutoid]

Thanks, i think i will choose itbas my ultra wide lens. Happy new year to.

[@nikons]

Is canon 24mm 2.8 pancake a better option for canon aps-c?

[@christopherfrost]

Yeah, to be honest. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@nikons]

you too!

[@yehezz]

Will you review tamron 18-400mm soon? Im still waiting ur review for this lens hehe

[@christopherfrost]

It will happen as soon as I can borrow a review copy :-) Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@yehezz]

Christopher Frost Photography okay i'll wait for it. Merry Christmas and Happy New year too btw ! Thankss for replying ehehehe

[@eldiabolico3750]

You definitely need to try the 28mm. I had the 20mm and exchanged it for the 28 f2.8. Never looked back, good corners from f8 to f16

[@mohammedasif1955]

Hi Christopher, can u tell me what microphone do u use for audio recording?

[@christopherfrost]

Audio Technica AT2020 USB. I recommend it. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@mohammedasif1955]

Christopher Frost Photography Thanks.

[@Cal94]

this actually looks pretty decent for its focal length... minus the corner fuzziness. saw one available locally used for 300 CAD and dunno if i should pull the trigger on it, or go nikkor 20mm f/2.8D, or Rokinon/samyang 14mm f/2.8... considering i'm trying to force myself to learn wide angles, this thing would fight the least for attention in my camera bag, being so small... but it would have no excuse to not be in there either...

[@mindprison88]

Despite its benefit of being a pancake lens, it's still a very overpriced piece of gear. I've managed to get a secondhand Cosina 19-35mm f3.5 - f4.5 lens for only 1/6 of the price of the Voiglander (around 80 USD to be exact) and it has a very similar image quality (I'm also using the Canon 6D) and on top of that, it does have autofocus (which works pretty well from my testing). It is bigger and made of plastic, but for the price of 80 bucks you really can't expect to have it all, can you?

[@sahilbrar7330]

Thanks for the suggestion i am going to check it out right now

[@matteobernardis7757]

Are you gonna test the Sigma 16mm f1.4 for Sony APS-C cameras? I would love to know your opinion on it! Besides keep up with the content you're killing it !

[@christopherfrost]

I will at some point - I hear really good things about it. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@simons700]

Tamron 100-400?

[@christopherfrost]

What about it?

[@simons700]

Not sure if i remember it correctly but i thought after the Sigma 100-400 test you said that you would like to test the Tamron 100-400 for adopting it to the A7rii :D

[@kathleenaureldaphne760]

voigtländer 21mm f/1.8 ultron M with adapter Techart LM-EA7 please? ( techartpro.com/product/techart-pro-leica-m-sony-e-autofocus-adapter ) Leica MOUNT Manual Adapter to Sony "Autofocus" how about this ultron distortion?

[@christopherfrost]

I don't think I can afford it!

[@albertomarmi2499]

I prefer my 17-40 l😊

[@ZaberAnsaryOfficial]

Very Soft...

[@albertomarmi2499]

Zaber Ansary if you use at f4 maybe is not so sharp at corner ..but if you use a f8 is very sharp.

[@henryjiang9664]

Alberto Marmi I prefer my 16-35 f4

[@albertomarmi2499]

Henry Jiang too much expensive than the 17-40😊

[@albertomarmi2499]

is my honest opinion, for the price better the 17-40. and...i see better pancake with a better price..

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

I personally do use soft lenses, but never soft wide angle lenses

[@christopherfrost]

Same here, hehe. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@petermitchell2729]

I don't get why anyone world want this. Seems very expensive for what you get.

[@LucisPictor]

BTW, the "oi" in the brand name is not a diphtong. It is pronounced rather like "Fawktlander". ;)

[@christopherfrost]

Actually, I asked my friend from Germany, and she said I pronounced it just right.

[@LucisPictor]

Christopher Frost Photography Sorry, than your friend is wrong. I am German, too. Remind her how to pronounce the old title "Vogt". “Voigt“ is just another way to spell it and the "i" is what we call "Dehnungs-i" (lengthening i) in German, a letter that is not pronounced and only lengthens the vowel before.

[@christopherfrost]

I'll refer her to your comment when I next see her :-)

[@LucisPictor]

Christopher Frost Photography I hope you take no offense. Plesse, don't take this as criticism. You do a great job and I really like your videos.

[@christopherfrost]

No offense taken! I'm not known for my German pronunciation, although I do think it's a beautiful language. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@ViewandReview]

industar 3.5 better and cheaper :)

[@Bakawhite17]

Two words: overpriced shit. (sorry for the language)

[@SohamSarkar17]

I can't even pronounce the name.!