Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 for SLR - impressions sought and which version?

I was fortunate to come across the latest version with the silver nose that focuses to 0.25m. What a fantastic lens! Looks like a vintage Nikkor and the very close focus and focal length offer so much flexibility. Great for film and great adapted to Fuji...
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
I went out on Saturday for some street photography (mainly also to try out some Fujicolor 200). I took a Bessaflex with a 35mm Flektogon and a 50mm Zeiss Ultron, both of which are gorgeous lenses. I hardly used the Ultron - 50mm is just a bit too long, and all my 35mm shots are just a bit wide.

As I like the 40mm Canon F2.8 pancake for focal length and size, I was wondering about the Voigtlander 40mm f2 Ultron for Nikon - fast, small and seemingly well built, and well rated.

Looking around there appear to be three versions - the SL aspherical, the SL II and the SL II S.

Is there any fundamental difference in results between them, and how generally do users rate them?

Help, as always, much appreciated!
Click to expand...

While I can't compare it, I've had the SL on my F3 for a couple of years, it never leaves the body.




 
Just got the 50mm Nikkor f1.8 pancake lens from Japan. What a beautifully made and finished lens - again another Ken Rockwell recommendation. 4 days delivery too as it fell below the duty threshold.
 
Just arrived and what a beautiful lens! Lovely construction and materials. Just that tiniest bit shorter than the 50mm Nikkor f1.8 pancake, both shown below. The weekend offers plentiful shooting opportunities if I can rest my foot enough.

pancakes-1-of-1.jpg


Compared with the lenses they will replace in my kit bag

pancakes2-1-of-1.jpg
 
splitimageview said:
I was fortunate to come across the latest version with the silver nose that focuses to 0.25m. What a fantastic lens! Looks like a vintage Nikkor and the very close focus and focal length offer so much flexibility. Great for film and great adapted to Fuji...
Click to expand...

Sweet lens but I much prefer the black nose versions as they theoretically will have a lower tendency to flare. There is a reason that the inside of lens hoods are black, not silver!
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
Just arrived and what a beautiful lens! Lovely construction and materials. Just that tiniest bit shorter than the 50mm Nikkor f1.8 pancake, both shown below. The weekend offers plentiful shooting opportunities if I can rest my foot enough.

Compared with the lenses they will replace in my kit bag
Click to expand...

Congrats, looks great! You'll love using them.
 
Huss said:
Sweet lens but I much prefer the black nose versions as they theoretically will have a lower tendency to flare. There is a reason that the inside of lens hoods are black, not silver!
Click to expand...

The glass is pretty recessed so this is likely entirely theoretical. I like the vintage look!
 
Took it out for a spin on the Nikon FE to Notting Hill this morning. Rather lovely rendering with TriX, and a super little lens. Ideal for street shooting, no cropping needed on any photo so far. Colour to follow!

stuffed-1-of-1.jpg


gassed-1-of-1.jpg


overcome-1-of-1.jpg
 
Doug said:
Yes, I have that one too, also in Pentax KA mount. Cannot explain why but I find it more frequently useful than the 40...
Click to expand...

There's something about the AOV of 58mm FL that lends itself better to portraits; tighter by just the right amount. Found this to be the case with the NOCT Nikkor as well, over standard 50mm lenses.
 
Voigtländer 2/40 SLI>>experiences?

Voigtländer 2/40 SLI>>experiences?

I’m considering the first version with a cone hood for my FM2-T. Any optical differences between the 3 versions?
 
According to the Cameraquest website there's no optical difference between the first two, doesn't mention any difference between those and the third. They all have six elements in five groups and two aspherical elements. My (uneducated) guess is that they're the same, optically.

I have the second version, and enjoy it. It's a good, sharp, tiny lens. It's reliable and makes for a good "standard" or workhorse lens, even if its rendering isn't the most exciting. I use it on my Nikon FM2n.

48584536002_f380d89cfa_c.jpg
 
Thanks for the link!
I was looking for a less-specialized normal lens; presently own a NOCT from the olden days, an optic with a narrow performance envelope and best utilized for what it was designed for. Never cared for the 50/1.4 and my choices were between this lens and the Nikkor 45/2.8.
 
I have the penultimate version as a result of that thread and I think it is a lovely lens. It is sharp, decently contrasty and with rendering that is actually more attractive than the bokeh on a Summicron 40mm. It's very much like the 45mm Canon (other than not being AF) and it is now my standard Nikon prime.
 
My SLI version with the cone hood just arrived from Japan in what appears to be mint condition. Really like the chrome focusing ring, velvet smooth and properly damped. Compact!!Will pick up a roll of Ektar or Portra 400 in the next few days and give it a spin on my trusty FM2-T.
 
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