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

[Sierra Club]

It's an extremely sharp lens, I have the SL version and it's one of my most used lenses. When set to f/8 eyes just hurt with the amount of detail. It's a perfect streetphoto lens for me.
One little detail that I don't really care about is that it has quite a bit of chromatic aberration wide open and focused to MFD (by the way, you can reduce the MFD considerably with the OEM attached close focus lens).
Also - very resistant to flare.

Extremely universal glass overall.

SOOC, digital:

Converted to BW, no other editing, digital:

I also like how clear all of the relevant markings are, really useful when shooting in low light.

 

[the_jim]

Updated random thoughts after having the Ultron for 6 months:

1. I love it. If I could only have one lens for my Nikon cameras, this would be it.

2. The build quality is really top-notch. At first, the aperture ring felt different enough from my Nikkor lenses to bother me. I managed to get over that.

3. It isn't perfect (but who is?). The most glaring issue for me is the apparent onion ring pattern in out-of-focus highlights. It's about as apparent as the VM Nokton 50mm 1.5 (version one). Example:

Carbonic Pinot Noir by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

4. It isn't as flare resistant as I initially thought. But I don't view this as a negative. The way that it flares is predictable and beautiful. To me, this is a feature not a bug. Example:

Old Blue by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Taylor by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

5. This is just a personal taste thing, but I don't care for the rounded blade iris. I wish the aperture shape were more like the Leica mount Voigtlander lenses. This is a small thing, but I wish...

6. It's sharp enough (it's not in the same league as some of the more recent ultra resolution lenses). Wide open it produces absolutely lovely results that have the mix of crisp in-focus and smooth fall-off. The contrast is pleasant and the tones (in black and white) are very pleasing to my eye. Examples:

Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

No Clos Radio by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Taylor by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Angie by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

In summary, it feels wonderful in-hand and takes lovely photos. I am very happy that I purchased this lens.

 

[the_jim]

I'd like to point out another characteristic of this lens...barrel distortion.

Eleanor by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Granted, my perspective wasn't perfectly square to the window, but the amount of bowing is pretty apparent. I guess, I'm learning to avoid having straight lines in the frame. Unrelatedly, the close-focus ability is really wonderful:

Eleanor by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Also unrelatedly, the draw is really lovely:

Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

Dad by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

In some ways, the flare resistance is wonderful.

Silvershot Vineyards by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

And again...that close focus ability:

Silvershot Vineyards by Jim Fischer, on Flickr

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

That black-and-white portrait is excellent. You captured a wonderful facial expression.