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

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CharlesDAMorgan

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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!
 
There are actually 4 versions. The original has the Nikon aperture prongs/ears thing that allows it to meter w the old Nikon cameras like Nikkormat ftn, Nikon F2s etc. After that they all became chipped so work in P and S modes w any film or digital Nikon that supports that. Lost the aperture prong though.
The optics are the same in all of them, just cosmetic changes. I have the 2nd version which has a rubber covered focus ring. 3rd v changed that to metal scalloped. v4 completely restyled it to make it look more classic but also lost the pancake size.
First 3 versions came w really cool small lens hoods, current version is larger and a separate purchase. The v2 and v3 also came with a really nice close focus lens attachment.

Optically the lens is superb and a delight to use. I find it much nicer than my Nikon 45 2.8 AI-P.
Ken Rockwell actually has a very good review of the Voigtlander. Seriously.
 
Thanks very much Huss, and super shots. While I've never had a problem with Ken Rockwell's reviews, it's always better to get a regular shooter's impression.

I'll need to decide if I ever intend to get an older Nikon, my oldest is a F2AS, so that might be a factor.
 
I am no expert in Nikon SLR systems and their differences in mounting certain lenses. But i jumped on one of these lenses online so that i could use it on my F3. Thankfully it mounted perfect and shows the apertures through the viewfinder and everything. It is such a joy to use this lens. It is small and light. Almost makes the F3 feel like one of my Rangefinders. And the big surprise is that the images it produces are amazing. Super sharp wide open like Leica lenses. And the 40mm is such a versatile lens to use. You can get a little wide like a 35mm lens, but at the right distances, it gives nice subject separation like a 50mm.

This is the only image i have online at the moment. It does not show how much detail this lens produces. I will try to upload more eventually.
Nikon F3 + Voigtlander Ultron 40mm F2 + Kodak Gold 200 Scanned with Canon 6D and 100mm macro. by Alex Aguilera, on Flickr
 
This lens was earlier made for several camera mounts including Canon, Olympus OM, Pentax K and M42, etc. as well as Nikon, all optically the same. I have the Pentax K mount version 1, and I like the look. Mine has the dome-shaped hood with rectangular opening, leaving the lens very compact.
U77I1512547304.SEQ.2.jpg


U77I1510818481.SEQ.3.jpg
 
I had the version 3 which is the all metal barrel with CPU chips. Mounted on a F2AS was a perfect combo. In fact, I would nominate say this combo as the most indestructible there is as far as tank-like build quality. The shallowness of the lens body is great for smaller packages and as noted in this thread it almost makes an SLR handle like a rangefinder. The inverted lens hood is also excellent. But more importantly, the images it produced for me are of the highest order. Especially good (compared to Leica) is the MFD of 38cm (or 24cm with the adapter). I miss this combo so much but, alas, sold it as I could not justify two 35mm kits with the amount of time I have (or do not have) to actually shoot. This lens is worth every penny. Avoid the version with the rubber focus ring. The all metal versions as true lifetime lenses.
 
I have version 3 with the scalloped metal focusing ring. Silky smooth focusing and handling, great image quality. Highly recommended.
 
The first version with bayonet hood is superbly made, up there with the Contarex lenses of the 1960's. Personally I find the second version (rubber focus ring) the most easy to use. The latest, 4th version has a new barrel which made the lens longer and quite a bit heavier, which kinda defeats the purpose.

Optically it's excellent, and rather amazingly, it's a true Ultron design.
 
I had the M42 version, used it on a Pentax MX. Great size, silky operation, lovely lens. Only complaints were some kooky distortion which was noticeable when photographing geometric stuff. Surprisingly hard to fix, so I ended up building a custom profile for it in LR. Other than that, totally amazing lens.
 
Wonderful information and photos, thank you!

I've seen the first type advertised and that looks very much like my original Zeiss Ultron 50mm f1.8 M42, which is a stunning lens in every way but for the weight.

Time to do some hunting for the second. While I like close focus capability (the joy of my Flektogon is it actually focusses to 11cm rather than the 20cm specified) it isn't really my thing for street and finding a set with the close up lens is probably adequate. Thus keeping size to a minimum.
 
Precisely one lens available that I can find in the UK, the latest model, and attached to an F4 that needs a new finder.

I shall keep hunting, I'm keen to avoid buying in from Japan or the US (where 90% seem to be) as one effectively adds 30% to the price in duties, VAT and handling charges.
 
jarski said:
if little photo critique is allowed, sun here looks quite unreal. I'd either crop or edit it out from picture. rest of photo looks nice.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the comment! I thought the sun related to the sunflowers in the field. Maybe that relationship didn't work. The sky is full of smoke from forest fires...
 
Doug said:
Thanks for the comment! I thought the sun related to the sunflowers in the field. Maybe that relationship didn't work. The sky is full of smoke from forest fires...
Click to expand...

relationship is fine, but sun itself looked unreal (to me). it looks like highlights have been significantly pulled back in post process (again, looks to me :p ).
 
Excellent, found a version 3 (metal rim but still pancake) in Spain, so no additional duties to pay, so just had my offer accepted.

Keen to try out an equally compact camera for street work I found a working EM with new batteries for peanuts. I can live with aperture priority, the viewfinder is large and bright and so light and simple.
 
I think the fourth version focuses down to 0.25m compared to 0.38m, but you have the close up lens to make up for that in the V2 and V3 plus I like the mini hood.

I have the third version myself and it’s a perfect match for my FM3a and other F bodies. I have their 20mm pancake too. I think they make for a really great travel pair, those two lenses and my FM3a+FM2n fit into a tiny 5L bag and don’t weigh much at all.
 
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