Cosina is at the forefront of photographic lens development, continually pushing boundaries to equip photographers with superior tools. Their latest endeavors, particularly under the Voigtlander marque, reveal a strong focus on refining lens performance, especially in areas critical to portrait photography such as bokeh rendition. A recent patent application showcases their commitment to innovation, hinting at forthcoming optical marvels that could significantly impact the market.
This forward-thinking approach is highlighted by a newly released patent, identified as P2026008235, which details the conceptual designs for an array of distinct lenses. Among these are a 90mm f2, a 100mm f2, and a 35mm f2. One of these designs, the 90mm f2, bears a notable resemblance to the existing APO-ULTRON 90mm f2 VM, suggesting a possible evolution or refinement of an already esteemed optic. This move indicates Cosina's dedication to iterating on successful designs while also exploring entirely new focal lengths and apertures.
The patent outlines specific optical characteristics for each proposed lens. For the 87.28mm focal length (approximating 90mm), an f-number of 2.05 is noted, alongside a half angle of view of 13.71 degrees, a total length of 60.38 units, and a back focus of 27.40 units. The 97.41mm focal length (approximating 100mm) features an f-number of 2.06, a half angle of view of 12.34 degrees, a total length of 67.85 units, and a back focus of 29.99 units. Lastly, the 36.08mm focal length (approximating 35mm) has an f-number of 2.01, a half angle of view of 21.28 degrees, a total length of 37.88 units, and a back focus of 12.49 units. These specifications reveal Cosina's meticulous attention to detail in crafting lenses with precise optical properties.
A primary objective of these new designs is to tackle long-standing issues prevalent in high-aperture, compact lenses, such as axial chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and coma, all while aiming to boost overall image sharpness. Cosina's strategy involves mitigating these distortions without inadvertently introducing or exacerbating other optical anomalies like an undesirable Petzval effect or increased coma. This meticulous engineering promises clearer, more aesthetically pleasing images, particularly beneficial for subjects demanding sharp focus against beautifully diffused backgrounds.
The introduction of a 100mm f2 lens under the Voigtlander brand would represent a significant expansion of their current offerings, bridging the gap between existing 90mm and 105mm options. This focal length provides a superb balance of subject compression and working distance, making it an ideal choice for portrait photographers. Such a lens could align with the Ultron and APO-Lanthar series, upholding the brand's reputation for exceptional color correction and compact form factors, while delivering a distinct, classic rendering.
In a market rich with third-party alternatives, Cosina's potential new lenses face competition from established offerings like Zeiss’s 100mm f2 (though not available for mirrorless systems), Canon’s 85mm f1.2L, Sony’s 90mm f2.8 Macro, and Sigma’s 105mm f1.4. While some competitors offer wider apertures or specific functionalities, Cosina's focus on a balanced performance, potentially at a competitive price point, aims to carve out a niche for photographers seeking high-quality, versatile optics without breaking the bank. The prospect of these new lenses suggests a bright future for portrait, fine-art, and documentary photographers looking for fresh perspectives beyond conventional zoom ranges.