Rangefinder linked Color Skopar VM 25mm
A review and photo examples of Voigtlander Color Skopar 25mm F4P.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Sample photo taken with the LEICA M8.
Review
1．Overview
The Color Skopar 25mm F4P is a wide-angle lens with a Cosina Voigtlander VM mount.
The lens configuration is the same as the previous model, with 7 elements in 5 groups.
The minimum focusing distance is 0.5m, and the rangefinder coupling range of Leica M-type rangefinder cameras is up to 0.7m.
A 39mm filter is screwed in. The lens hood is the same as the previous lens, and the LH-1 can be used.
The exterior of the lens barrel has been changed to a design similar to that of the Nokton 40mm and Nokton 35mm.
As of 2024, production has ended and no successor lens has been released.
2．Usage
The Color Skopar 25mm F4P has the same lens configuration as the previous model, Snapshot Skopar, so the image is close to symmetrical, so there is a fair amount of vignetting, but the tendency to make the central subject stand out remains unchanged.
One improvement is that the minimum shooting distance has been shortened from 0.7m on the Snapshot Skopar to 0.5m.
This means that when used with a mirrorless camera, closer shots are possible than with the Snapshot Skopar.
The finger grip on the focus ring on the lens barrel has been enlarged, improving lens focus operability.
Because the lens barrel is compact, the distance between the finger grip on the focus ring and the aperture ring is close, and the aperture ring, which is quite loose, sometimes changes unintentionally. I feel that there would be no problem with operation even if the aperture ring control protruded a little less.
3．Summary
To sum up the Color Skopar 25mm F4P VM, the compact lens barrel makes it easy to handle, and the close-up shooting capability of up to 0.5m is also appealing if you have a mirrorless camera. The lens is short in overall length, so it fits easily into a camera bag.
Specification and Competitor
Carl Zeiss uses 25mm focal length lenses for the Leica M mount. Leica and Ms-optics use the close focal length of 24mm.
Comparing the 25mm focal length lenses, the Calas Kopar and Biogon, the Voigtlander lens is a step less bright, but has a more compact lens barrel than the Carl Zeiss.
| Item | COLOR SKOPAR | BIOGON |
| focal length(mm) | 25 | 25 |
| Maximum aperture | 4 | 2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | 22 | 22 |
| Leaf blade | 10 | 10 |
| Lens configuration | 7 elements in 5 groups | 9 elements in 7 groups |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Lens length(mm) | +hood 30.3 No hood 25.4 | 46.6 |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 55 | 53 |
| Filter type | 39 | 46 |
| Weight(g) | LH-1 | Carl Zeiss lens shade 21mm/25mm Carl Zeiss lens shade 25mm/28mm |
| Hood | VM | ZM |
| Lens mount | 144 | 260 |
| Release date | 2007.4 | 2005 |
| Price | 50,000(VM) | -110,000 |
Reference links
- Voigtlander VM & Carl Zeiss ZM Lens WORLD (Japan Camera MOOK) Large book – 2010/10/18, Lens introduction and sample photos on page 19, ・Ads by Amazon
- Photo Yodobashi
Update history
- 2025.4.25
- 2024.11.26
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