Compact telephoto lensAPO LANTHAR SL 180mm F4
A review and Photo example of the Voigtlander APO LANTHAR SL 180mm F4 with the SIGMA SD9.
Table of contents
Gallery
- The examples were taken with the SIGMA SD9
Review
1．Overview
The APO LANTHAR SL 180mm F4 is a compact telephoto lens with a focal length of 180mm, the longest focal length of all Cosina Voigtlander lenses.
Its main specifications are a lens configuration of 9 elements in 7 groups, a minimum shooting distance of 1.2m, 9 aperture blades, a filter diameter of 49mm, and is screwed onto the front of the lens.
Two types of lens hoods can be attached: a round hood (LH-75S) and a square hood (LH-75).
This hood is common to the Color Heliar 75mm, Apo Lancer 90mm, and Apo Lancer 180mm.
2．Usability
The APO LANTHAR SL 180mm F4’s depiction combines the compression of 180mm with smooth bokeh in front and behind, making it a lens that allows you to enjoy the true pleasure of a telephoto lens.
The camera I used was the SIGMA SD9, which has a small sensor size, so the focal length in 35mm equivalent is 306mm, which is a long focal length even for a telephoto lens. However, it is not difficult to use and is a lens that I found useful when photographing cats that were running around freely.
The image captured by the SIGMA SD9, which cuts out the center, is flawless, and despite the long focal length, I was not bothered by camera shake as long as I used it during the day. There is also no problem with backlight resistance.
Although it has a long focal length of 306mm, the strength of this lens is that it can get close to the subject with a minimum shooting distance of 1.2m.
It is slightly difficult to operate, with the focus ring located closer to the lens mount than the Macro Apo Lancer 125mm, and the heavy lens located at the front of the lens barrel, resulting in poor weight balance when shooting.
When focusing, the silver ring at the base was only slightly hooked with the finger, and the entire lens barrel was used to extend the focus.
I owned the M42 mount version, but sold it before introducing a 35mm full-frame sensor camera, so I have no examples of 35mm full-frame photos.
This lens is manufactured in small numbers, so it maintains a relatively high price on the used market.
The LH-75 with its crepe-finish hood has a nice texture, and can be found on the used market for around 10,000 yen, with the price difference depending on whether a hood is included.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the APO LANTHAR SL 180mm F4 is a compact telephoto lens that is a welcome addition for photographers who value portability. As far as the image quality is concerned, it produces sharp, clear images even at full aperture, so you can use it with confidence.
Specification ,Study and more
The APO LANTHAR SL 180mm F4 is compact for a 180mm lens, with a total length of just 80mm at its shortest focal length at infinity, while the APO-spec Leica APO TELYT 180mm F3.4, which has the same focal length, is 135mm.In addition, the minimum shooting distance of the APO LANTHAR is 1.2m, while that of the APO TELYT 180mm is 2.5m. These two points also show the superiority of the APO LANTHAR.
| Items | APO LANTHAR | APO-TELYT |
| Focal length(mm) | 180 | 180 |
| Max aperture | 4 | 3.4 |
| Min aperture | 22 | 22 |
| Leaf blade | 9 | 8 |
| Lens Construction | 9 elements in 7 groups | 7 elements in 4 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 1.2 | 2.5 |
| Lens length(mm) | 79 | 135 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 65.6 | 68 |
| Lens hood | LH-75S | Built in |
| Filter Size(mm) | 49 | 60 |
| Weight(g) | 485 | 750 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F Olympus OM Canon FD M42 Pentax K Leica R CY | LEICA R |
| Release date | 2003.08 | 1975 |
| Price(Yen/No-tax) | ¥65,000 | ? |
| Production numbers | ? | 17,000 |
As of 2024, the longest focal length in the Voigtlander lens lineup is only 90mm. The Carl Zeiss brand, which is also handled by COSINA, only has a long focal length of 135mm, and it seems that COSINA has completely abandoned the telephoto market.
Finally, the following seven SL lenses were released at the same time as this lens.
The 12mm and 15mm lenses are used with the mirror up, so they are not suitable for general photography. In reality, the lens series starts at 40mm.
The later SL II series added the COLOR SKOPAR 20mm, COLOR SKOPAR 28mm, NOKTON 55mm, and NOKTON 58mm, which is a modified version of the Auto Topkor 58mm, increasing the variety of focal lengths.
- Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm (for mirror-up only)
- Super Wide Heliar 15mm (for mirror-up only)
- Ultron 40mm
- COLOR HELIAR 75mm
- APO LANTHAR 90mm
- Macro APO LANTHAR 125mm
- APO LANTHAR 180mm
All lenses except the two for mirror-up only have a unified lens design, with a black barrel and a silver accent on the focus ring, creating a pleasing combination of classic and modern styles.
| Items | ULTRON | COLOR HELIAR | APO LANTHAR | Macro APO LANTHAR | APO LANTHAR |
| Focal length(mm) | 40 | 75 | 90 | 125 | 180 |
| Max aperture | 2 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 22 | ← | ← | ← |
| Leaf blade | 9 | ← | ← | ← | ← |
| Lens Construction | 5群6枚 | ← | ← | 9群11枚 | 7群9枚 |
| Min distance(m) | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.38 | 1.2 |
| Lens length(mm) | 29.5(Ais) | 40.2(Ais) | 57.6(Ais) | 88.2(Ais) | 79(Ais) |
| Max diameter(mm) | 63.5 | ← | ← | 76 | 65.6 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 52 | 49 | ← | 58 | 49 |
| Weight(g) | 255 | 250 | 390 | 690 | 485 |
| Release date | 2002.05 | 2000.07 | 2002.03 | 2001.06 | 2003.08 |
| Price(Yen/No-tax) | ¥45,000 | ¥50,000 | ¥55,000 | ¥95,000 | ¥65,000 |
- The following is a list of early COSINA / Voigtlander brand lenses for SLR cameras. Two lenses, 15mm and 12mm, are excluded from the table below because they are special lenses that are used with the mirror up.
Reference links
Update history
- 2025.7.13
- 2024.03.28:modified article
- 2023.11.08:firest post
Afiliate Link
- Voigtlander Lens・Ads by Amazon
- Voigtlander Books・Ads by Amazon
Leave a Reply