Photokina saw some really awesome product announcements, one release that you might have missed was the Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens for Sony's FE mount. This weird little lens is will come in Leica's M mount but will not, I repeat, will not, work on Leicas due to the lack of helicoid for focusing. Rather, it's been designed to be used with the VM-E close foucs adapter.
Below is the information from the press release:
The Heliar 40mm F2.8 is designed only to be used with Voigtlander VM-E Close Focus Adapter. It does not have built-in helicoid. Focusing is done by rotating the helicoid of VM-E Close Focus Adapter. Super compact style when the lens is collapsed.
The Heliar 40mm F2.8 is manufactured only for the purpose of using this lens onto E-mount camera body via VM-E Close Focus Adapter. You can not do focusing when you mount this lens via adapters not designed with built-in focusing-function or M-mount camera body directly. If you collapse the lens on M-mount camera body, it might result in damage the equipment. Any claims or damages due to improper use of this lens, which it was not designed for, are not covered by the warranty.
Below is an image from DC Watch of the 40mm and VM-E converter on an a7R.
[Via Sony Alpha Rumors, DC Watch, & Voigtlander]
What do you think of this interesting little lens? Let us know in the comments below.
I don't get it, if it can only be used with the adapter why didn't they just make it part of the lens?
My thoughts exactly, Greg. I thought I had read the press release wrong the first time. Here's an idea: just make it in FE mount...
Hi all, this is my first post here.
I think it does make sense as it is. I use mostly M mount lenses, and only a Sony A7 body, so in the interests of speed, it's best for me to leave the adapter on the body as far as possible. I guess I end up working with an M mount Sony A7!
Julian