Summaron 35mm/f3.5 or Voigtlander Ultron 35mm/f1.7 ?

[is98wayi]

I am not new to range finder cameras,but definitely new to Leica camera.
I recently got a Leica IIIF with 50mm lens,now I need a 35mm lens.Due to the budget,I can only choose one of them,Summaron 35mm/f3.5 or Voigtlander Ultron 35mm/f1.7

Which lens you'd like to recommend?

I think I would use IIIF to do b&w street photography only.(others leave to my dslr 🙂 )

 

[GeneW]

I've not used a Summaron, but I have the Ultron 35/1.7 and have always liked it. It's less contrasty than the current CV 35 lenses, but has a good tonal balance.

 

[payasam]

I've owned two examples of the 35/3.5 and now have a 35/1.7. The Summaron is small and slow, and it is notoriously prone to fogged elements. However, it gives a roundedness or plasticity which other lenses do not give. The Ultron is a fine performer though much larger.

 

[xayraa33]

I own both lenses, for street photography it is hard to beat the 35mm/f3.5 Summaron or the all chrome Canon 35mm/ f2.8 lens for that matter.

 

[kermaier]

Why not consider the CV 35/2.5 Skopar Classic, or the Canon 35/2.8 in LTM, both fine performers depending on the look you want (high vs. medium/low contrast, etc.)?

Either should be within your price range if you're considering a Summaron or an Ultron, and they'll probably be easier to find.

::Ari

 

[ferider]

Second the Color Skopar recommendation. Tiny, fast (half stop faster than Summaron 2.8, full stop faster than 3.5 Summaron), and really a great performer. For all practical purposes it behaves like a Summicron.

That said, the Ultron is a great lens, too. Just more prone to flare and bigger.

Never really understood the comments on contrast of this lens vs. that. Contrast is so much easier to control via exposure and development, than via lens choice ....

Roland.

 

[bawang]

I don't have the CV Ultron 35/1.7 but uses the Summaron 35/3.5 in M mount. My experience with it is it flares so bad (or is that 'glow'). I am entertaining the thoughts of getting the CV Skopar 35/2.5, as mentioned by kermaier above and have tried a friend's copy of the lens. I like it a lot. If you don't need the speed and most street shots doesn't need it, I would suggest the Skopar and it's available in LTM.

I haven't decided yet, as I am also thinking of the Nokton 35/1.4 or just be contented with the Summaron. decision, decision, decision.....

 

[Sparrow]

third … or is it fourth the Colour Skopar, I have both it and two copies of the f2.8 Summaron and there isn’t a clear “winner” I tend to do monochrome with the Summaron and colour with the Colour Skopar … they were probably telling me something with the name.

 

[kermaier]

Never really understood the comments on contrast of this lens vs. that. Contrast is so much easier to control via exposure and development, than via lens choice ....

Sorry, Roland -- I'm shooting digital these days on the R-D1, so it's sometimes easier to adjust for lighting conditions with wide brightness ranges (e.g., bright sunlight or spotlights in a dim room) by using lenses that deliver a more compressed contrast range to the sensor.

But for film (or digital sensors with wide latitude), you're 100% right -- choices of film stock, development and printing are much more important for contrast control than lens selection.

::Ari

 

[ferider]

That makes sense, Ari. 🙂

 

[kermaier]

BTW, if you can find the early chrome Canon 35/2.8 in clean condition, it's a solid little gem of a lens. Very compact, will handle wonderfully on your IIIf, good performance (not up to the level of modern lenses like the CV Skopar, but probably more flare-resistant than the older f/3.5 Summaron). The Skopar is not nearly as solidly built as the Canon or the Summaron, but it's an outstanding performer for the money.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Summaron 35mm f/3.5 is one of the finest lenses ever created.

Leica MP, Summaron 35mm f/3.5, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Voigtländer Ultron 35mm f/1.7 is one of the finest lenses ever created.

Leica MP, Ultron 35mm f/1.7, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

I have 35mm skopar but to my taste it is too sharp. I will keep it but I am dreaming summaron to get!

 

[helen.HH]

OUTSTANDING Shots Erik !!
though that summaron is one of my FAVs of yours
Touche'....😀

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks Helen!

Erik.

 

[lawrence]

I have 35mm skopar but to my taste it is too sharp. I will keep it but I am dreaming summaron to get!

I've have the Ultron and have owned the Skopar and Summaron -- these are my highly subjective impressions:

COLOR-SKOPAR. I found it rather harsh -- perhaps 'snappy' is a better word. Anyway, I couldn't get the look I wanted in the highlights of Tri-X (developed in D76 1:1) and sold it. I would mention that the build quality of the Skopar was not as good as the other two -- aperture ring rather loose and a generally cheap feel.

SUMMARON. I tried the Summaron f3.5 and found it not sharp enough at wider apertures (apparently the f2.8 is better). I also didn't like the long focus throw either and f3.5 is simply too restrictive to me. Mine didn't have any fogging and the build quality was superb (no, make that 'fantastic'). A beautiful lens if you can live with its limitations.

ULTRON. I have the Ultron and I think it's just great but probably a bit big to go on an LTM Leica. Build quality is excellent and definitely better than the Skopar. The lens is very sharp from f2.8 onwards and highly usable at f1.7 without any significant vignetting at wide apertures (in that respect it's better than my 'cron IV). I can thoroughly recommend this Ultron and also the 28mm f1.9 if you want to go wider.

 

[LeicaTom]

I don`t really use wides at all, but I'm considering one for my M8?

Here's one no one seems to talk about........

The Nikkor f2.5/35mm how does that lens rate???? Any users out there, let's hear it for vintage Nikkor Wide Angle.

Tom

 

[VinceC]

I'm biased, but the Nikkor 35/2.5 is a very highly regarded lens, very small (tiny, even) in LTM. Very sharp with middle contrast, good tonality.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I don`t really use wides at all, but I'm considering one for my M8?

Here's one no one seems to talk about........

The Nikkor f2.5/35mm how does that lens rate???? Any users out there, let's hear it for vintage Nikkor Wide Angle.

Tom

Tom,

I'm biased like Vince, but the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f2.5 is an excellent lens! If the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f1.8 wasn't such a darn good lens, there would be a lot more talk about its slightly slower but no less worthy sibling. Here's a few pics taken with my sample 🙂