APO-LANTHAR is a title given to particularly high-performance products among Voigtländer lenses, and APO is derived from the apochromatic design.
The APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 Type I is an extremely high performance manual focus standard lens optimized for full size VM-mount sensors. The apochromatic design thoroughly eliminates chromatic aberration on axis and other aberrations, while pursuing ultimate performance in terms of resolution and contrast reproduction (see attached MTF chart). While adopting a maximum aperture of F3.5, the lens is composed of eight elements in six groups, four of which are made of anomalous partial dispersion glass to achieve uncompromising optical performance.
The Voigtländer APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 Type I VM lens combines ultimate optical performance with easy handling and classic vintage rangefinder lens styling. As a tribute to classic rangefinder lenses that appeared in the mid-20th century, the more expensive vintage style straight slot screw heads were chosen instead of less expensive modern Phillips head.
Equipped with a high-precision rangefinder-linked mechanism, and the silky feel of the all-metal helicoid allowing the photographer to experience the true joy of focusing using a traditional rangefinder. The minimum focusing distance of the Type Ⅰ is 0.45m. The rangefinder close focus is 0.7m (depending upon camera capability), which is linked to the rangefinder. A mechanism is provided to recognize the junction point of the rangefinder-linked range by a clicking sensation during focusing operation.
APO-LANTHAR 50mm F3.5 Type I VM
The filter diameter is a retro-inspired φ34mm. Two versions of Type I are available: a two-tone black paint and chrome model with a heavy feel using brass materials (body weight: 245g) and a lightweight model with a matte black paint and aluminum construction (body weight: 150g). Each version includes a metal hood and a metal cap with the same finish as the lens body
