Why isn't the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.7 Ultron more popular?

It is out of production, and not many come up for sale.

That's because the owners tend to hold onto them. Like me.
 
aperture64 said:
Plenty of people have posted photos...or are you being sarcastic and I didn't get it?

I see that you own the 1.2. I am referring to the 1.4.
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I'm referring to the 1.2, which while not know for having perfect distortion correction, it's not known for being abnormal.....such as the 1.4.
 
leicashot said:
I'm referring to the 1.2, which while not know for having perfect distortion correction, it's not known for being abnormal.....such as the 1.4.
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Both 1.2 and 1.4 have similar levels of distortion. What is known is that people have opinions about lenses without actually trying them - as your post shows. Even the 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH has 2% distortion which comes close. The 1.7 Ultron has less distortion than all three of them.
 
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Brian Sweeney said:
It is out of production, and not many come up for sale.

That's because the owners tend to hold onto them. Like me.
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Held on to mine, which I've had since it first came out. True, it did start to wobble and rattle after a few years. So I had it tightened up and it's now better than new, except for the all the brassing (lousy factory paint). I never had any problem with its size, handling or minimum focus distance, but YMMV. Personally, I prefer its rendering to that of the Pancake Color-Skopar, which is a worthy lens in itself, and I was never tempted to try the Nokton 35/1.2, just because of its weight and size. So there, I've said it: I've prejudged that vaunted lens without giving it a personal trial. Another confession: I've been using the Nokton 35/1.4 since it came out, and my daughter now has custody of the Ultron 35/1.7. I'm a happy camper, and so is she.
 
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Min Focus issue - no more!

Min Focus issue - no more!

dragunov said:
... minimum focus distance maybe? all I've got are screwmount lenses right now and that 1 m thing gets really annoying.
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For all of you who is not happy with Ultron 35/1.7 because of it's 0.9m min focus - read this thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97167

In short, lens can be made to focus to 0.7m:
IMG_0326.jpg


Superb lens - I love mine!
 
ferider said:
Both 1.2 and 1.4 have similar levels of distortion. What is known is that people have opinions about lenses without actually trying them - as your post shows. Even the 35/1.4 Summilux ASPH has 2% distortion which comes close. The 1.7 Ultron has less distortion than all three of them.
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Well that's your opinion, but accusing me of not knowing what I'm saying based on experience is a little naive of you. There's no need to take lens V lens personally. Opinions are only that, opinions, respectfully.
 
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It's a good lens, but
1) too big compared with many 35/2 lens
2) I worry about the build quality
3) ugly look without the hood, too long with the hood

I sold mine and never regret for it.
 
So, it's just another polarizing lens for Leica cameras. Some love it, some hate it. I happen to think it is a steal as my 50mm lens on my M8. However, if I was using the M9 or film M, I think I may agree with Leicashot.
 
Well, I don't know. Maybe I caught a bad copy, maybe I should have caught it before it hit the pavement that one time out...

I was happy with it until I tried it alongside a 35 Summarit. Unfortunately, no pixel peeping was necessary to see the differences at f/2.8...

You can see from my signature what I own now. No regrets.
 
I think that Ultron, just like some other CV lenses vary sample to sample and can easily be misadjusted by design. I made sure mine was adjusted properly when I took it apart to make it focus closer. Now it's a super lens. But some screws may losen up and lens will not perform to it's full potential. If you have a good one - it's very very good!
 
I would agree with the .9m meter focus being somewhat of a head-knocker, but as I mellow in my old age I have come to accept it. I am really impressed by the lens and have been shooting it next to the 35/2.5 that I got from jsrockit. I love the handling of the 2.5, but maybe I prefer the 1.7 because of larger aperture. I'm curious to shoot a v3 or v4 'cron next to it. I suspect that the 'cron is the best of both worlds but for extra $. I'll probably look into acquiring one with the post new years price drops, but until then I will be enjoying the two CV lenses.

Attached is a pic with the Ultron (I think) on Tri-X.
 

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sazerac... to me, the 35mm 2.5 is a very modern lens and the ultron feels a bit more vintage. That's just my impression. I'd agree though... the Summicron would be the ideal lens to merge speed and size.
 
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