Eyes for The Night: Cosina Voigtlander 25mm f0.95

I was lucky enough to find a Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 locally in Melbourne, and bought it instantly. Shot it around the town at night, and found it to work like a dream on the OM-D E-M5. The lens was easy to focus using the EVF and even on the LCD worked pretty well, did not need to magnify the view at all, and composing before focusing is possible as there are no focusing aid (like a RF patch or AF spot). Focus throw was a bit on the long side for fast street shooting, but estimating the distance and pre-focus always helps. The lens was heavy for the OM-D, so the olympus grip is a must have for this, other wise it handled beautifully. The focus was smooth, the aperture was firm and clicked nicely, it is one of the best build for a lens I have seen, and I would say its better built than some of the Leica lenses (Yes I am looking at you Mr 50mm Summlux pre-asph with shitty aperture ring).

Because of the nature of this lens, I found myself wanting to take shots that utilises the large aperture and shallow depth of field. The shots I have been taken with this lens are mostly done at f0.95, focusing on a single subject, although the 50mm equivalent focal length is very versitle, you will probably end up taking alot of bokehlicious shots. (Yes its an official word now.....coutesy of Kai from Digital Rev).

At f0.95 to f1.4, the depth of field is carboard papre thin (not as thin as paper like a proper full frame 50mm f0.95.), and gives creamy, melting, make you horny type of bokeh, and the in focused bits are sharp, not super sharp, but sharp enough for you to know its the in-focus bit. Colors at the max aperture is also good, not too much different from stopping down. However, this lens does have "characteristics" when shooting wide open, firstly theres the purple fringe, its there, its noticible when you have it, but you only get it if you have very high contrasting things like a window reflecing off sunlight or chrome fitting on a car, and of course you can get rid of it in Lightroom. Secondly, theres the "glow" as some people might call it, where you get abbration around the edges, its there, you can see it when you zoom right in and stick you nose up the screen, but who cares, it doesn't ruin the picture, and some people like it. Some reviews say theres some distortion from this lens since its not corrected, I didn't notice any in the photos.

I can't say much about the lens when its stopped down to below f1.4,  becuase I havent shot it below that aperture :)

I highly recommand this lens, its feels like a weapon in the hand (and can be one too if throw it), it gives you beautiful bokeh, and very usable f0.95 for shooting in the night, in dark places and where ever your imagination takes you. I love this lens on the OM-D, but its a shame I had to sell both the OM-D and this lens for personal reasons :( If anyone is interested in Melbourne, go to Camera Lane in Little Bourke street, they have a copy.