Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM § 03 Head to head
Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM vs Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM
Zeiss 85mm f/2 has a wider field of view. Voigtlander 90mm f/2 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Leica M mount: the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM is an 85mm f/2 prime, and the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM is a 90mm f/2 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM 
Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM 01
Key differences
Why is the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM better than the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM?
- Wider field of view (85mm vs 90mm)
Why is the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM better than the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM?
- Longer reach (90mm vs 85mm)
- 110 g lighter (340 g vs 450 g)
- Focuses 10 cm closer (0.9 m vs 1 m)
- More aperture blades (12 vs 10)
- Smaller filter thread (52 mm vs 58 mm)
- Newer design (2024 vs 2004)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM has the edge: it is 110 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM | Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 90mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 450 g (15.87 oz) | 340 g (11.99 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | — | 63.3 x 61.9 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 1 m (39.37 inches) | 0.9 m (2.95 feet) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | — | No |
| Aperture ring | — | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 10 | 12 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 6 elements in 6 groups | 8 elements in 7 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm | 52 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Leica M | Leica M |
| Released | 2004 | 2024 |
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Sample frames
Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM or the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM?
- The Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM weighs 340 g, 110 g less than the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM (450 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM or the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM?
- The Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM focuses down to 0.9 m, against 1 m for the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 85 mm f/2 ZM or the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Apo Ultron 90 mm f/2.0 VM has the edge: it is 110 g lighter to carry.