Used Ultrons??

[ampguy]

I've read where these sometimes just fall apart in 2 pieces and cost $175 to be put back together, though this was in 2003. What's the current suggestion for buying a used Ultron 35/1.7. Is a seemingly working one worth $300?

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Roland

Thanks Roland

Great info.

The Ultron is a great lens, Ted, and worth US 300. Easy to disassemble, and re-assemble. The only complaints I have heard are about size and ergonomics. Less contrasty than Summicron or Canon 35/2, but sharp, much bigger, and half stop faster.

Roland.

 

[Krosya]

Mine is fine

Mine is fine

I have one. Have had it for about 2 years. Works well and I I think is good for the money. No optical or mechanical problems. Sometimes it flares, so hood (larger than one that comes with it) is a good idea. Only complaint - black paint wears off. So silver one maybe a better choice.
I think CV had (and maybe still has) quality control issues, so thats where some stories come from. But if it works, it's a great lens.

 

[pizzahut88]

Falls apart?

Falls apart?

I've read where these sometimes just fall apart in 2 pieces and cost $175 to be put back together, though this was in 2003. What's the current suggestion for buying a used Ultron 35/1.7. Is a seemingly working one worth $300?

Just falls apart?😱
Really?

Manfred

 

[pizzahut88]

Tips welcomed.

Tips welcomed.

I have one. . . . Only complaint - black paint wears off. So silver one maybe a better choice.

Hi Krosya,

Could you provide information on how the paints wears off?
I would like know . . . so as to prevent/better care for my CV lens.
I have bought the black paint version for my 90mm, 28mm, etc.

Thanks.
Manfred.

 

[rover]

Manfred, I think it just chips off with bumps over time. Best thing to do is to just use'um and enjoy and not worry about the paint. I had a black Ultron which I sold when I bought my 35 Summicron. The paint had chipped off around the edge of the hood. I liked the Ulton so much though that I bought another one. Just get out and shoot.

 

[markinlondon]

Manfred, the paint just flakes or rubs off, my Ultron was pretty well brassed when I sold it. Re the "falling apart" problem. There is, IIRC a how to put it back together thread somewhere on p.net a search on "Ultron+assembly" should find it. I used one for the best part of 4 years without anything working loose.

 

[irq506]

I have a silver 28 Ultron, the paint is fine. I shoot everyday.
My lens actually is a little loose because I have a cable tie as a focussing lever, and installing that I was perhaps a fraction too physical.
Id like a view finder for this, or that R4 idea, as I end up with "spacious" images. As for shrpness, its a nice lens.

 

[RayPA]

I've read where these sometimes just fall apart in 2 pieces and cost $175 to be put back together, though this was in 2003. What's the current suggestion for buying a used Ultron 35/1.7. Is a seemingly working one worth $300?

Yes. Worth the $300. I have a 35/1.7 in silver. It is well made and a great looking lens, too.

🙂

 

[ampguy]

Thanks all, I bought one that is well used, but great optically and mechanically. I hope the separation thing was isolated incidents.

It's great to know that repair folks now know how to assemble and disassemble these. My first report based on a pnet thread was from many years ago. Thanks.

 

[RichC]

Ampguy, here's a comparison you might be interested in.

A friend of mine has a Summilux 35/1.4 Aspherical that I've lusted over (the one that costs $3000 new!) , and we happened to meet in the local coffee shop the other day when I had my Ultron 35/1.7 with me and my R-D1.

Out of curiosity I took comparison shots with both lenses, and was amazed at how similar they were. Yes, the Summilux is better, but not by much.

After seeing the results, I'm now perfectly happy with my Ultron, and am no longer lusting after a Summilux!

Here are the comparison photos - they're no works of art (I don't function well at 9 am on Sundays, when these were taken!), but they're adequate to compare the lenses.

The images are 100% unreduced images, cropped slightly to obtain similar views. All images have treated identically: default settings in RawShooter Premium.

http://www.richcutler.co.uk/downloads/index.php?path=01_Ultron_vs_Summilux_35mm/

 

[irq506]

Ampguy, here's a comparison you might be interested in.

A friend of mine has a Summilux 35/1.4 Aspherical that I've lusted over (the one that costs $3000 new!) , and we happened to meet in the local coffee shop the other day when I had my Ultron 35/1.7 with me and my R-D1.

Out of curiosity I took comparison shots with both lenses, and was amazed at how similar they were. Yes, the Summilux is better, but not by much.

After seeing the results, I'm now perfectly happy with my Ultron, and am no longer lusting after a Summilux!

Here are the comparison photos - they're no works of art (I don't function well at 9 am on Sundays, when these were taken!), but they're adequate to compare the lenses.

The images are 100% unreduced images, cropped slightly to obtain similar views. All images have treated identically: default settings in RawShooter Premium.

http://www.richcutler.co.uk/downloads/index.php?path=01_Ultron_vs_Summilux_35mm/

Hey this link is broken.

 

[RichC]

Hey this link is broken.

Sorry about that - try this instead:

www.richcutler.co.uk/downloads/35_ultron_vs_summilux.zip

(1.7 MB download).

Was using a funky interface for my downloads page, but the PHP code has stopped working 😡

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Rich

Thanks Rich

Great info., and I have an Ultron on the way. Will check out your photos later today.

Ampguy, here's a comparison you might be interested in.

A friend of mine has a Summilux 35/1.4 Aspherical that I've lusted over (the one that costs $3000 new!) , and we happened to meet in the local coffee shop the other day when I had my Ultron 35/1.7 with me and my R-D1.

Out of curiosity I took comparison shots with both lenses, and was amazed at how similar they were. Yes, the Summilux is better, but not by much.

After seeing the results, I'm now perfectly happy with my Ultron, and am no longer lusting after a Summilux!

Here are the comparison photos - they're no works of art (I don't function well at 9 am on Sundays, when these were taken!), but they're adequate to compare the lenses.

The images are 100% unreduced images, cropped slightly to obtain similar views. All images have treated identically: default settings in RawShooter Premium.

http://www.richcutler.co.uk/downloads/index.php?path=01_Ultron_vs_Summilux_35mm/

 

[ampguy]

Have been using an Ultron 35/1.7 for a day, and like it a lot, with the RD1. However, I can't tell a whole lot of difference from the Rokkor 40/2, and it's quite a bit larger. Any specific tests or things to look for?