Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar 90mm f/4

Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 90mm f/4 Close Focus VM

The Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 90mm f/4 Close Focus VM is a compact apochromatic medium-telephoto lens for Leica M / VM-mount rangefinder cameras. Cosina specifies a 90mm focal length, f/4 maximum aperture, eight elements in six groups, ten aperture blades and full-frame coverage.

The lens is designed around close-focus performance. Cosina lists a minimum object distance of 0.5m and rangefinder coupling from infinity to 0.7m, depending on the camera. The lens includes a tactile click at the 0.7m rangefinder-coupling boundary, so the user can feel when focusing has moved from the coupled range into the closer uncoupled range. Leica Rumors also reports 0.5m close focus and a click-stop at the rangefinder-coupling limit .

This entry covers the Leica M / VM-mount version. It should be kept separate from the older Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 90mm f/3.5 Close Focus SL / SLII SLR lenses, the Voigtländer APO-Skopar 90mm f/2.8 VM, and the Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM. The 90mm f/4 Close Focus VM is a new 2026 M-mount lens with its own optical and mechanical design.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The APO-Lanthar 90mm f/4 Close Focus VM is positioned as a high-correction apochromatic telephoto lens. Cosina describes the APO-Lanthar name as a marker of ultimate performance and states that the optical design uses anomalous partial dispersion glass to reduce aberrations while maintaining high resolution and contrast.

Sharpness

The lens is designed for high resolution and contrast reproduction. Cosina states that the lens uses anomalous partial-dispersion glass in six of its eight elements, with the aim of very high optical performance despite the compact 54.8mm length. Since full independent testing is still limited at launch, measured sharpness claims should remain conservative until reviews and sample comparisons are available.

Aberrations

Apochromatic correction is central to the lens identity. Cosina states that the lens is designed to reduce axial chromatic aberration and other aberrations, using an eight-element, six-group optical formula with six anomalous partial dispersion elements.

Close focus

The close-focus ability is the defining handling feature. The lens focuses to 0.5m, going beyond the normal 0.7m rangefinder-coupled limit of many Leica M cameras. Cosina lists rangefinder coupling from infinity to 0.7m, with the closer 0.7m to 0.5m range intended for live view, EVF or adapted mirrorless use.

Bokeh and transitions

The lens has 10 aperture blades according to Cosina’s specification table. As a 90mm f/4 lens, it can provide moderate subject separation, especially at closer distances, but it should be described as a compact apochromatic telephoto rather than a fast portrait lens.

Handling

Cosina lists the lens at 53mm maximum diameter, 54.8mm total length and 235g weight, with a 43mm filter size and dedicated hood included. Leica Rumors notes that the short dedicated metal hood projects by about 9mm, designed to reduce flare while avoiding interference with rangefinder framing.

Digital use

The lens is optimized for full-frame M-mount sensors and can be used on Leica M digital bodies. In the close-focus zone below normal rangefinder coupling, users should focus with live view or an electronic viewfinder. It can also be adapted to mirrorless systems, where the 0.5m close-focus range is easier to use.

History

Development and Launch

Cosina first showed the APO-Lanthar 90mm f/4 Close Focus VM as a CP+ 2026 reference product. The official VM lens catalogue records the production introduction on 26 August 2026.

Production Evolution

No production end year or production quantity is currently documented. The launch specifications list silver and black finishes, VM mount, full-frame coverage, 43mm filter size and dedicated hood included. It appears to replace or complement the discontinued APO-Skopar 90mm f/2.8 VM in Voigtländer’s compact M-mount telephoto lineup, but it should not be merged with that earlier lens .

Special Editions/Variants

No confirmed special edition is currently documented. The main variants at launch are the silver and black finishes. Any future limited editions, paint variants or anniversary versions should be documented separately if officially announced.

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the APO-Lanthar 90mm f/4 Close Focus VM engraving, VM mount, finish, serial number, original hood, caps, box and documentation. Important practical checks include smooth focusing, click feel at the 0.7m rangefinder-coupling boundary, aperture operation, optical alignment and whether the close-focus range reaches 0.5m correctly. Do not confuse this lens with the older APO-Lanthar 90mm f/3.5 Close Focus SLR lenses or the APO-Skopar 90mm f/2.8 VM.