• Jeffrey Donaldson Mural By Spicebag
• The Patrick Corish Memorial
• The Walled Cemetery At Maynooth College 29 June 2026
• Photographs Of Churches
• More Examples Of Paint-A-Box Art

THE SLIDESHOW BELOW FEATURES A DIFFERENT EXAMPLE OF NEW STREET ART

THE LEGACY CATALOG

* In The Year 2008 * In The Year 2011 * In The Year 2017 * Henrietta Back In 2010

Mural Context: The artwork directly references current political and legal developments in Northern Ireland. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has issued warnings against “wild speculation” and “irresponsible” commentary on social media regarding former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson amid ongoing legal proceedings following his recent conviction.

The artwork captured in this photograph, is by the contemporary Irish satirical artist Spicebag - the working pseudonym of Adam Doyle.

• You can identify his work via the distinct, minimalist three hole skull signature stenciled directly beneath the text. The piece, located near Cross Guns Bridge in Phibsborough, features his signature bold, provocative political commentary blending sharp imagery with bilingual text. Dealing with intense or reactive reactions from passersby is practically a rite of passage when documenting highly charged public art on the street, but I still managed to frame a perfectly sharp and readable capture of the mural's core subjects - thanks to the Voigtlander lens.

Rediscovering the Voigtländer 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar

• A few days after purchasing the Voigtländer 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar, a severe fall in Belfast on a rotating flagstone resulted in damaged ribs and a terminally damaged Sony A7RIII. The lens survived with only a minor scratch, but it was placed on a shelf and forgotten during the long wait for a replacement camera.

• Now, on the first Friday of July 2026, plans are underway to return to Belfast for a five-day stay based in the Titanic Quarter. An unexpected turn of events has expanded the available equipment options to include a selection of flagship bodies, such as the Sony A1 II, a recently arrived A7RVI, and a Leica Q3. While initial intentions did not include acquiring the intermediate Sony models, they now form the core of the kit. Ongoing technical issues with a Fujifilm GFX100F mean it will remain behind, and despite recent stability improvements via firmware version 4.1.0, complete trust in the Leica Q3 has not yet been restored.

• Field testing reveals that the Sony A7RVI, when paired with high-quality compact glass, rivals or outperforms the Leica while maintaining a comparable footprint and weight. The upcoming trip serves as an opportunity to evaluate these systems, particularly regarding low-light performance. The finalised lens selection for the week includes the Sony 28-70mm GM, either the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM or 35mm f/1.4 GM (with the Loxia 21mm remaining a strong alternative to the 24mm), and the Voigtländer 65mm as a distinct outlier.

Below is an evaluation of the Voigtländer 65mm based on recent testing.

• Optical Precision and Sensor Performance

• The Voigtländer 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar stands out as one of the most optically precise lenses available for the Sony E-mount. Unlike lenses that prioritise maximum aperture speed, the 65mm APO trades low-light velocity for absolute optical perfection, making it a compelling match for high-resolution sensors like the 60MP+ A7RVI and the high-speed A1 II.

• Zero Chromatic Aberration: Bearing the "APO" (Apochromatic) designation, the lens successfully eliminates both lateral and axial colour fringing. High-contrast subjects—such as polished stone, metal structures, or sharp geometric edges against a bright sky—render with clean, flawless lines even when shooting wide open at f/2.

• Extreme Micro-Contrast: The lens delivers a clinical, biting sharpness that matches or exceeds the finest offerings in the G Master line, extracting the maximum performance from high-resolution sensors.

1:2 Macro Capability

• This is not a standard prime lens; it offers close-focusing capabilities down to a 1:2 magnification ratio (half life-size) at a minimum distance of approximately 31 cm.

• Detail Isolation: The close-focus capability allows for the precise isolation of textures, architectural reliefs, engravings, and structural elements without requiring a bulky, dedicated 90mm or 105mm macro lens.

• Electronic Integration: As a native E-mount lens with electronic contacts, it communicates data directly to the camera body. Turning the focus ring prompts the electronic viewfinder to magnify the view automatically, ensuring critical focus is achieved easily.

Handling and Mechanical Realities

• The mechanical design offers distinct advantages for a handheld workflow, alongside a few practical considerations:

• The Mechanics: The all-metal, scalloped focus ring is mechanical and perfectly dampened, while the aperture ring provides clean clicks in 1/3 stops.

• In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS): Direct communication with the Sony bodies ensures that the advanced 5-axis image stabilisation works flawlessly out of the box, a critical factor for handheld shooting.

• Weight and Density: Despite a relatively compact physical length, the sheer volume of glass and metal results in a dense, heavy lens weighing approximately 625g. Long Focus Throw: To allow for micro-adjustments at close macro distances, the focus ring features a massive rotation angle of around 290 degrees. Shifting focus quickly from a foreground detail to infinity requires significant rotation.

• Weather Sealing: In line with the standard Voigtländer catalogue, there is no rubber gasket at the lens mount.

Final Verdict

• The Voigtländer 65mm f/2 functions less like a casual walk-around lens and more like a high-precision field microscope. For documenting crisp, geometrically perfect frames, structural textures, and public art with zero optical distortion, it represents an incredibly rewarding tool on high-resolution Sony bodies. Future posts will address the remaining lenses selected for the Belfast project.

___

A SELECTION OF HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO GALLERIES

* Clontarf Railway Station * Docklands Railway Station * Malahide Railway Station