Sharpness issues on Ultron 35/1.7

[Assaf]

Good evening friends,
I own an Ultron lens 35/1.7 that I bought new in August. I shot a few rolls with it and I currently got concerned with it's sharpness. I wasn't decisive about it earlier because I mostly shot in low light where sharpness wasn't so good anyway (fast film, slow exposure, lot's of OOF etc.).

I only recently shot in broad daylight and and I thought the results werent' as sharp as they shood. That was also the feedback that I got from the lab that scanned me negatives.

I'm not such an expert in lenses and in shapness on film in particular, therefore your help in the following topics would be appriciated:

1) Can you advise me on a "controlled environment test" that I can conduct? preferably using color film (easier development).

2) Can anyone show me examples of how sharp this lens should be, especially wide open and in f16?

3) Has any of you had these issues with this lens or any other CV lens?

I'm sure that the RF on my M6 is 100% accurate (recently CLA'ed and also checked by me), so it's not a focus issue. I'm a very small expert in lenses, but I recently got a Zeiss Planar and it's way much sharper, evern wide open and with a wonderfull 3D feeling. Even with simple minilab development and automatic scan. I'm aware that the comparison between these two lenses isn't fair.

OK, any help would be highly appreciated
Assaf

 

[zuikologist]

Assaf

I have a couple of shots in my gallery - a good copy of this lens should be sharp.

It has been favourably compared to some Leica lenses, including on the the Cameraquest site.

 

[gregg]

I had the same "issue" with a 35mm Ultron and M6 last year. It turned out to be a poorly machined LTM to M adapter. I returned the adapter and spent the extra $20USD for a Leica adapter - problem solved.

Not counting out a mis-aligned Ultron, but the adapter thickness is critical to proper focus.

 

[photogdave]

I've never experienced any sharpness issues. Here's what I consider to be a fairly sharp shot in low light with the lens wide open:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70053&ppuser=3291
I almost never shoot stopped down so I don't have any good examples.
I think Gregg is on to something with the adapter though.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Assaf

I have a couple of shots in my gallery - a good copy of this lens should be sharp.

It has been favourably compared to some Leica lenses, including on the the Cameraquest site.

😀 Well, that's of course an objective comparison isn't it... 😉

Would it surprise you if the Leica rep compares Leica lenses favourably to Zeiss lenses?

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[gregg]

OK - here are a few in my gallery with the Leica adapter...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=48188&ppuser=6210

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=48189&ppuser=6210

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=48185&ppuser=6210

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=48186&ppuser=6210

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=48187&ppuser=6210

Nothing at f16 that I can see but they do show close/near/infinity focus performance at around f4. Pretty sharp.

 

[zuikologist]

😀 Well, that's of course an objective comparison isn't it... 😉

Would it surprise you if the Leica rep compares Leica lenses favourably to Zeiss lenses?

Best regards,
Uwe

Indeed - point well made, although the favourable comments are spread across cyberspace.

Dave - gorgeous shot. The life and atmosphere come through really well.

Gregg - flowers 2 shot is my favourite.

 

[ocean7]

Assaf,

Too bad for the 35 Ultron. I also got this lens recently and I am getting my first roll with it scanned this evening. If you want I'll send you some samples although most of the shots have been taken wide open in low light so not the best for sharpness.

That being said I am happy that you like the Zeiss 😀

 

[rogue_designer]

My Ultron is my second favorite lens - my copy at least is very sharp indeed.

What adapter are you using?

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Indeed - point well made, although the favourable comments are spread across cyberspace.

Actually, I was thinking of getting one of those before I stumbled across the M-Hexanon 35/2.0.
Unfortunately, it does not fit my Bessa R, so maybe...

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[ocean7]

Actually, I was thinking of getting one of those before I stumbled across the M-Hexanon 35/2.0.
Unfortunately, it does not fit my Bessa R, so maybe...

Best regards,
Uwe

Off topic but I'd be happy to offer you a trade Uwe 😀

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Off topic but I'd be happy to offer you a trade Uwe 😀

😉
Nice try, but I'll definitely keep the M-Hex...

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[laptoprob]

Assaf, if it is an adapter issue, this means you have a little back- or front focus.
If this bad in-focus appears without adapter or on the spot it must be something in the lens. Not perfectly adjusted. But you bought it new? Warranty!

 

[Dektol Dan]

Most likely a bad adapter

Most likely a bad adapter

I've had very bad luck with Voigtlander Cosina adapters, stick with Marumi or original Leitz. Even though most Leitz adapters go for around $60, they can be had for as little as $30 ebay, at least mine was. One went for $33 this morning although it was for a 28-50; no matter, all the adpaters go for that much.

Remember VC gear is entry level and cheap (flame on tightwads!) my Ultron is okay, but very bad wide open. However, I risked trying mine out for my son's graduation and that was a disaster, but the culprit was the shoddy VC adapter. VC quality is a crap shoot, and in my opinion and experience, if you have the bucks go used Leica or Zeiss.

You can check the adapter by focusing on infinity. If you have to back focus it's trash.

 

[Assaf]

Hi all,
thanks for the informative feedback!
With adapter my lens back focuses at infinity. However, I heard it from other people as well, and I don't understand why it should effect the image quality. As I see it, the adapter should be an issue only if it is not completely symmetrical - then the focus plane is non- uniform. Am I right?

Can anyone recommend a test that I can do in order to make sure that it's an adapter issue, or a test that would definitely show the lens is not sharp?

PS Philippe : the Planar is wonderful, very very sharp, great 3D feeling. Some minor vignetting wide open, but I guess that's normal.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I haven't used the Marumi adapters but have found no difference whatsoever between the CV and Leica adapters. Different story for some other cheap ones that came off eBay.

BTW, I am surprised that the 28-50 adapter only reached $33. It must be super rare because I haven't ever seen another. I have seen 50-75 and 28-90 though. 😉 😀

Kim

I've had very bad luck with Voigtlander Cosina adapters, stick with Marumi or original Leitz. Even though most Leitz adapters go for around $60, they can be had for as little as $30 ebay, at least mine was. One went for $33 this morning although it was for a 28-50; no matter, all the adpaters go for that much.

Remember VC gear is entry level and cheap (flame on tightwads!) my Ultron is okay, but very bad wide open. However, I risked trying mine out for my son's graduation and that was a disaster, but the culprit was the shoddy VC adapter. VC quality is a crap shoot, and in my opinion and experience, if you have the bucks go used Leica or Zeiss.

You can check the adapter by focusing on infinity. If you have to back focus it's trash.