Your thoughts on Nikkor 50/1.8 AI-S Japanese pancake version

hap said:
What would be the advantage of let's say a Nikkor pancake v CV 40 Ultron?
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Honestly, apart from 10mm difference in focal length and f/0.2, probably nothing except price. :eek: By most objective standards, the CV is probably a better lens. I think the CV Ultron 40/2 has a closer minimum focus distance, has more aperture blades (9 curved blades) for rounder bokeh, includes a close-up lens...

But, I found my Nikkor for a great price, so I have no complaints. It's not better, it just what I have and enjoy using.
 
dourbalistar said:
Honestly, apart from 10mm difference in focal length and f/0.2, probably nothing except price. :eek: By most objective standards, the CV is probably a better lens. I think the CV Ultron 40/2 has a closer minimum focus distance, has more aperture blades (9 curved blades) for rounder bokeh, includes a close-up lens...

But, I found my Nikkor for a great price, so I have no complaints. It's not better, it just what I have and enjoy using.
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I happen to have a CV 40 Ultron, but somehow got a little GASSED by the thread.

thanks for your reply
 
hap said:
I happen to have a CV 40 Ultron, but somehow got a little GASSED by the thread.

thanks for your reply
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No problem, we all get GAS from time to time. Or is it all the time...? :D

I probably should have added a caveat: I'm just going by objective "on paper" standards, since I've never personally tried the CV Ultron 40/2, or done any side-by-side comparisons. Thankfully, if you succumb to GAS and want to do some subjective testing of your own to compare, the Nikkor isn't too expensive. I was able to source mine from a domestic US seller on the Big Auction site for <$125 shipped. Otherwise, I hope the images I've posted help to provide a sampling of the Nikkor's qualities. :)
 
dourbalistar said:
No problem, we all get GASSED from time to time. Or is it all the time...? :D

I probably should have added a caveat: I'm just going by objective "on paper" standards, since I've never personally tried the CV Ultron 40/2, or done any side-by-side comparisons. Thankfully, if you succumb to GAS and want to do some subjective testing of your own to compare, the Nikkor isn't too expensive. I was able to source mine from a domestic US seller on the Big Auction site for <$125 shipped. Otherwise, I hope the images I've posted help to provide a sampling of the Nikkor's qualities. :)
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Sounds like you did get a very good deal. that never hurts. If I succumb, I'd like to know that the HS-11 hood I just bought for the Nikkor RF 10.5cm 2.5. It should work. But it would helpl justify the relatively steep price I had to pay for the hood. quite scarce.
 
I have had both, the latest version 40/2 that focuses to 0.25 without requiring a close-up lens.

Ended up keeping just the Nikkor, but this doesn't reflect anything negative about the Ultron. It's a fantastic lens.
 
hap said:
Sounds like you did get a very good deal. that never hurts. If I succumb, I'd like to know that the HS-11 hood I just bought for the Nikkor RF 10.5cm 2.5. It should work. But it would helpl justify the relatively steep price I had to pay for the hood. quite scarce.
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According to the MIR website, the HS-11 hood should be compatible with the Nikkor (see the Technical Specifications sections near the bottom of the page):
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index6.htm

splitimageview said:
I have had both, the latest version 40/2 that focuses to 0.25 without requiring a close-up lens.

Ended up keeping just the Nikkor, but this doesn't reflect anything negative about the Ultron. It's a fantastic lens.
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Seems there are 4 different versions of the CV Ultron 40/2. The current version released in 2017 is not quite "pancake", with a length of 37.5mm, and its styling takes after Nikon's older non-AI lenses. Lens-DB.com has a good rundown of the Ultron 40/2 model history:
https://lens-db.com/cosina-voigtlander-ultron-40mm-f2-aspherical-sl-ii-s-2017/
 
dourbalistar said:
According to the MIR website, the HS-11 hood should be compatible with the Nikkor (see the Technical Specifications sections near the bottom of the page):
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index6.htm



Seems there are 4 different versions of the CV Ultron 40/2. The current version released in 2017 is not quite "pancake", with a length of 37.5mm, and its styling takes after Nikon's older non-AI lenses. Lens-DB.com has a good rundown of the Ultron 40/2 model history:
https://lens-db.com/cosina-voigtlander-ultron-40mm-f2-aspherical-sl-ii-s-2017/
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according to paperwork with the box is a MFD of .38. there's nothing on the lens that tells me otherwise. the last model 2017 has MFD .25
 
I actually have both these lenses. Both are great but the ultron to me has it’s own color and contrast. This is making me want to test them out against each other for fun. You really cannot go wrong with the 50 1.8 though. It’s such a perfect fit in my F3.
 
hap said:
according to paperwork with the box is a MFD of .38. there's nothing on the lens that tells me otherwise. the last model 2017 has MFD .25
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Yes, that's correct. I was referring to the length of the 2017 model, which is a bit larger in diameter and longer than the previous pancake version that you have.

Ccoppola82 said:
I actually have both these lenses. Both are great but the ultron to me has it’s own color and contrast. This is making me want to test them out against each other for fun. You really cannot go wrong with the 50 1.8 though. It’s such a perfect fit in my F3.
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Yeah, we're really spoiled for choice. That's the great thing about photography, all the subtle differences between lenses, not to mention all the variables along the way (film/sensor, developer/post-processing, scanning/printing, personal shooting style, etc...). Better "on paper" isn't necessary what's best for me or for you, but finding out what one likes and doesn't like is half the fun! For me, what really matters is whether am I improving as a photographer, whether I'm making images that I like, and whether I'm enjoying the process. :p

Oh and by the way, there's also a thread about the CV Ultron 40mm f/2 here in this same subforum:
Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 for SLR - impressions sought and which version?
 
Beautiful shots, as always, dourbalistar.
It's really impressive how much you can do with such a minimalistic setup.
You have a very good eye for composition, sir!
Also - added your flickr page to the favourites. Love your BW stuff!

As for the CV40/2 vs N50/1.8 I have both (although my 50 is Series E) and they are in constant use.
One on my sisters FM2n and the other on my F3.
They are awesome and very compact lenses.
I've been on a lookout for the japanese version of the AI-S 50 for some time now...
 
Sierra Club said:
Beautiful shots, as always, dourbalistar.
It's really impressive how much you can do with such a minimalistic setup.
You have a very good eye for composition, sir!
Also - added your flickr page to the favourites. Love your BW stuff!

As for the CV40/2 vs N50/1.8 I have both (although my 50 is Series E) and they are in constant use.
One on my sisters FM2n and the other on my F3.
They are awesome and very compact lenses.
I've been on a lookout for the japanese version of the AI-S 50 for some time now...
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Thank you for the kind words, Sierra Club, much appreciated! :) I think all the 50/1.8 pancake versions are optically identical, with perhaps only small differences in the coatings for the Series E lenses. If push came to shove, I'm not sure I could tell the difference in a blind test.

The Japanese pancake version is a bit more difficult to find, since it was only made for the domestic market. I think also had a shorter production run compared to the other 50/1.8 pancake versions. You could try searching on the Big Auction site for a reputable Japanese seller, but then you might have to contend with import duties depending on your location. Or other pandemic related shipping vagaries...
 
Trichrome self portrait, taken using a tripod and self timer.

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Ultrafine eXtreme 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen #25 Red, #58 Green, and #47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.


2020.10.13 Roll #261-05340-positive-trichrome.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
 
dourbalistar said:
Trichrome self portrait, taken using a tripod and self timer.

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Ultrafine eXtreme 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen #25 Red, #58 Green, and #47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.


2020.10.13 Roll #261-05340-positive-trichrome.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
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This is just pure awesomness!
I love how you keep experimenting and pushing the boundaries of photographic expression.
 
Sierra Club said:
This is just pure awesomness!
I love how you keep experimenting and pushing the boundaries of photographic expression.
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Thank you for the kind words, Sierra Club! It's not an original idea, so I won't take any credit for pushing photographic expression. That said, it's the first time trying the concept for myself, so I guess I'm pushing my own personal boundaries. Enjoyed a nice day out climbing too, so that's a huge bonus. :)
 
A big thank you to the Head Bartender and to the Mods (jonmanjiro and possibly others) who helped revive this thread! I see it's been made a "Sticky" thread, too! :D
 
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