Ultron 35mm f2 Aspherical vs Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH

Each person here may have a different "situation" when it comes to adding another 35mm lens to the ownership. I bought lenses but then hardly ever sold any lenses, so in the end I have lenses that used to be quite popular years ago. I have the Summicron V1 35/2, which is a wonderful lens overall, plus I have Canon 35mm 1.5; 1.8; 2.0, 2.8. If we call these lenses "kinda old", I added a more modern Biogon 35/2. The main advantage to now adding CV 35/3 (if I do it) would be the smaller size as compared with the Biogon. I have done many lens comparisons over the years, and I know what works for me and what does not.

It is really great that CV is bringing out such great lenses year after year.
 
jonmanjiro said:
I have a roll of Natura 1600 waiting to be scanned, Alkis. Meant to do it over the weekend but got sidetracked with other stuff. Will post some pics from that roll soon!
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Thanks Jon, Definitely looking forward to seeing a few frames on colour film. Natura 1600 too, what a treat! :)
 
lynnb said:
I'd be interested to see how the new CV Ultron 35/2 compares to the M-Rokkor 35/2 and Summicron-C 35/2. Not a huge difference in focal length, and the 40mm lenses are also very compact, like the Ultron. Anyone?
Edit: something to discuss in another thread...
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You mean M-Rokkor and Summicron-C 40/2 i guess. It a nutshell it is one modern vs two classic lenses. The CV 35/2 is sharp at all apertures with similar macro and micro contrast as current Leica asph lenses whereas both 40/2s are less "clinical" with less contrast and softer results at f/2. As far as size is concerned, the CV 35/2 is similar to the Summicron 35/2 v4 more or less i.e. a bit larger than both 40/2s but smaller than the Summicron 35/2 asph.
 
@raid your would you say it compares to the Biogon 35? I am deciding between the two (and the C-Biogon). Your insight is greatly appreciated.


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Benjamin Marks said:
Anyway, what I am interested in is whether the new (and exciting) f:2 offering is more like the 1.2 in rendering at f:2 or whether it is busier in the background. Happy to take an answer off-line if you think your impression is going to stoke the passions unhelpfully. . ..
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Hi Ben, no need to take it offline in this regard as the Summicron probably has the edge over the Ultron when it comes to smooth backgrounds. Not sure how it would compare with the Nokton 35/1.2 though. That's a hard lens to beat. The Ultron is smooth with a touch of "classic" busy, although not near as busy as the W-Nikkor 35/1.8. I quite like the mix that the Cosina optics engineers came up with!
 
I just received my Ultron 35/2 and tested it against Summicron V2 and Summilux pre-Asph v2.

My copy suffered from a focus shift at any apertures so I can't give any "bokeh" pictures.

I prefer the Summicron for everyday shooting because of performance and kind of elegance in the pictures and Summilux for unique portraits but I found the Ultron was the best of the three lenses for very low light situations because of the good resolution and high macro contrast.
When I take a picture at 1/30s, shapes are important to me. Micro contrast, not so.. (By the way I don't see the Summilux pre-Asph v2 as a great low light performer because of its low contrast)
For a landscape I could take the Ultron too because of the resolution in the corners that the summicron v2 doesn't have but on the biggest part of the picture it is close to the Summicron and even on a tripod, my Leica M9's sensor isn't resolving enough to show much resolution differences between the two lenses.
The Ultron has this kind of impression of sharpness that makes me want to zoom-in always more when I watch the pictures on my computer. But when I zoom at 100-150% I can't tell the Ultron is "sharper" than the Summicron. It is a different sharpness.

Anyway, nice lens and same size as the summicron ans summilux so very compact.
My version is still in new condition so the focus ring is still a bit stiff but the little metal focusing "stick" helps for precise focusing.
Also the Ultron produces some purple fringing I've never had to correct with the Summicron and Summilux.


About colors and overall rendering I don't have the Biogon 2.8 anymore but I would say the Ultron is closer to this more modern one than to an "old" Leica.

My strictly scientific analysis tells that the Biogon and Ultron give more impressing pictures and Leica lenses give more elegant ones. (my impression and I'm not a "Leica addict"..! Always very, very happy to use my wonderful Heliar 50/3.5 by sunny days over a Summicron 50 V4)
 
Actually I see this as:
One camera, 7 lenses. 6 never miss the focusing point, one does every time.

My ultron always focuses a bit back of the point I'm focusing. It may be 4cm at 0,7m or more at longer distance. First time I'm noticing this on a lens.
With en EVF I wouldn't mind but with range finder, it's not sooo optimal.

Anyway I've tried to take as much pictures as I could on tripod from f2 to f16 in order to see if it worths sending the lens to Voigtländer back and eventually sell the other lenses afterwards.
 
nutmeg said:
Actually I see this as:
One camera, 7 lenses. 6 are never missing the focusing point, one does every time.
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That's misfocusing, not focus shift. Something isn't right. You need to send your lens back for adjustment or return it for a new copy.
 
Ok thanks! Sorry I was a bit confused with the term "focus shift".

Anyway, nice lens, compact, sharp, fast and not so expensive. Not my favorite for personal reasons but I think it will have a great success and many people will love it.
 
jonmanjiro said:
That's misfocusing, not focus shift. Something isn't right. You need to send your lens back for adjustment or return it for a new copy.
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The lens is going back and I am waiting for new one.
Before sending it back I took some other "landscape" pictures at f8-f11 and the sharpness was very pleasing.
 
Have been playing around with my set for about a week now and i must say for the value, its worth it. But I'm alittle annoyed with the fact of the focusing ring where there is some resistance on it not sure if anyone suffers from this too.


When you're above 1.5M going back down to 0.7m range, the resistance is there. Anyone have the same issue or is it unique to me?
 
juristium said:
But I'm a little annoyed with the fact of the focusing ring where there is some resistance on it not sure if anyone suffers from this too.


When you're above 1.5M going back down to 0.7m range, the resistance is there. Anyone have the same issue or is it unique to me?
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No such resistance with my copy...

I suggest using the lens for a while and see if it smooths out with use. Or just send it back for a relube under warranty.
 
two guys with extremely low post count report issues... sounds like a leica marketing department decided to kill the competition....
 
Really? It's not out of the ordinary. Someone bought a new lens, it arrived with some kind of glitch, and they post in the one forum where others also use the lens to compare notes.

Problems happen sometimes with new lenses. That goes for Leica ones too. You should see the Leica dedicated forum.
 
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