Ultron help.

[Becoming]

Hello there.

I'm buying a R4A as a second body, with which I'll (obviously) be working exclusively in wide angle. I have a 21mm/f4P Color Skopar already but am thinking of pairing it with a 28mm/f2 Ultron for low light work, as this is the only limitation I find with the Skopar.

I was just wondering what experiences people have had with the Ultron in low light and any opinions on the matter. How does it stand up shooting wide open, for example? I also thought it might be worth mentioning that I plan on (pretty much) only zone focusing with this set up.

Thanks a lot.

Michael.

 

[brainwood]

Personally I find the gap between 21 and 28 not great enough and as such I went for the 35/1.7 Ultron .This is a lovely lens wide open very sharp with great Bokeh. The 21/4 you already have is one of my favourite lenses - a true classic but I find the combination of 21,35 an 50 to cover most of life in front of my lens with the occasional use of a 90 for those further away/smaller moments.
Ultimately it's what suits you both in terms of focal length and what kind of photography you are into.

As far as zone focusing goes the wider the lens the greater the latitude but I find the 35 ultron has enough depth at around f5.6 to make it a viable zone focus for street use .

Hope this helps

Chris

 

[Becoming]

Hey there Chris, thanks for getting back to me.

Well you see I did consider the 35mm but as I already have the Nokton 40mm I thought a 28mm would make a nice bridge. The set up I've been thinking of is 21-28-40-75.

I have the 40mm on the R3A at the moment which is a match made in heaven I think. I'm also drawn to the fact that the R4A has solo 28mm framelines (also one of the reasons I'm desperate to try the 75mm Heliar on the R3A).

 

[bwidjaja]

Michael, wow, I guess I am not the only one with that setup (lens wise)
I have 21-28-40-75. I use the R4M for the wides and Leica M2 for the longer ones.

Though, since I have the 40mm nokton, I did not feel like getting the Ultron, and use the 28mm f3.5 color skopar instead which has great reputation.

 

[shadowfox]

Michael, I am really curious how are you going to manage switching between four lenses in one trip.

I have one lens (Ultron 35/1.7) and I already have enough to think about on how to shoot proper photos. 🙂

In your situation, I'd use the 21/4, just hold it close to your chest in low light. No need to spring for another lens.

 

[brainwood]

The set up I've been thinking of is 21-28-40-75.

Good sound reasons for using the 28 ultron. Sounds like a nice set up, I have personal preference for a 50 mm lens in the selection but as I said I think it really is down to what works for you. Unfortunately I don't have any experience of the 28 ultron but if it's anything like the 35 then it should be a fine choice but Im sure there are members here with direct experience

chris

 

[Tom A]

The Ultron 28f2 is very good. It is comparable to the Leica 28f2 (with lots of money left over for film). It is probably better at close in than the Summicron 28 - though the difference is so small that it is insignificant. The Summicron is a bit better in the corners at f2 - but the Ultron has better center sharpness.
The R4 and the 28 works very well. The independent 28 frame makes it easy to use - no confusion - just as with the 75 and the R3M/A.

 

[Becoming]

Michael, I am really curious how are you going to manage switching between four lenses in one trip

Hehe this made me chuckle.

Well, *deep breath* as a general carry-in-the-hand-at-all-times camera I plan to use the R4A with the 21mm during the day and switch over to the faster 28mm when light demands (I swear it's 'low light' here in the UK 75% of the time).

The 40mm Nokton stays pretty much permenantly with me on the R3A but the shot rate on this camera is lower because I use it only for colour work.

Oh and the 75mm will not come with me on every trip, I will use that in more specific situations (when I can afford to buy one).

I didn't think a two body kit was a rare thing and besides I've just bought a new bag! 🙂

bwidjaja: I think the 21-28-40-75 set up is really nicely balanced. For me personally it worked out some of the issues I have with the 35 - 50 thing.

 

[Becoming]

Thanks a lot Tom for your hands on advice. The '(with lots of money left over for film)' bit rings very true with me. As much as I'd love some high quality Leica lenses *cough* 21mm/f1.4 Summilux *cough* I am only a beginner and of course the only real way I'll get any better is by shooting more film. It's clear what Cosina Voigtlander hanve done for the beginner is incredible.

 

[shadowfox]

Hehe this made me chuckle.

Well, *deep breath* as a general carry-in-the-hand-at-all-times camera I plan to use the R4A with the 21mm during the day and switch over to the faster 28mm when light demands (I swear it's 'low light' here in the UK 75% of the time).

The 40mm Nokton stays pretty much permenantly with me on the R3A but the shot rate on this camera is lower because I use it only for colour work.

Oh and the 75mm will not come with me on every trip, I will use that in more specific situations (when I can afford to buy one).

I didn't think a two body kit was a rare thing and besides I've just bought a new bag! 🙂

bwidjaja: I think the 21-28-40-75 set up is really nicely balanced. For me personally it worked out some of the issues I have with the 35 - 50 thing.

Ah, that makes more sense to me. I too always carry two or more cameras in my bag, including a small medium format, I'm addicted to those large negatives 🙂