Ultron 28mm F2

[padraigm]

Now this should be interesting... Great focal length for the M8. Hopefully it performs close to the 28 cron. Anybody with info?


L&VM Wide- Lens

[stunsworth]

It's been a matter of time really. Interesting that it looks smaller than the older lens. After saying that, if it's the same performance as the existing 28mm Ultron, then the older lens would be a better choice for an M8 user IMHO.

[sdai]

The 28/2 is a new design which has no aspherical lens like the 28/1.9 ... their Japanese site says the new model is optimized for open aperture performance with focus on smooth bokeh and 3D portrayal rendition.

[biglouis]

Yummy. I'm as pleased as punch with the performance of my CV28/3.5 but I'd probably be quite keen to get one of these if it was available.

LouisB

[stunsworth]

Sdai, thanks for the clarification. Sounds interesting - which is another way of saying I can feel my wallet getting lighter <grin>.

[sean_reid]

I'll have one for testing by August if all goes as planned.

Cheers,

Sean

[spylaw4]

I'll wait for Sean's review - hopefully compared with the Ultron 1.9 amongst others. It's only some 20g lighter - but is it that much more compact?

[biglouis]

You know.... one other thing which occurs to me.... I wish all their lenses were LTM because then M8 users can opt for Milich adaptors to support lens coding. I appreciate they are serving a bigger market (including their own cameras) but nevertheless......

LouisB

[dynax9]

Originally Posted by biglouis

You know.... one other thing which occurs to me.... I wish all their lenses were LTM because then M8 users can opt for Milich adaptors to support lens coding. I appreciate they are serving a bigger market (including their own cameras) but nevertheless......

LouisB

That's actually quite a nice idea. It may happen if the sales of M8 or the upcoming model are quite well to push for a demand.

[vieri]

The Ultron has been mentioned by Tom A on the RFF forum in this thread

Torn Between Two Lenses - Super Angulon 21/3.4 vs Elmarit M 21/2.8 pre-ASPH - Rangefinderforum.com

just scroll down a bit, but basically Tom says that

...

I have had the opportunity to use one for the last two month and it is impressive. At f2.0 and 0,7 meters it beats any of my other 28's (Elmarit 28 v.III, Color Skopar 28f3.5, Ultron 28f1.9 Asph and the 28f2,8 ZM Biogon). Going back through my files, it also looks sharper at f2 than the 28f2 Summicron Asph!

...

which definitely is quite an achievement. I am looking forward to seeing what Sean and others think of it, anyway by the time it will come here (Istanbul, Turkey) there will be plenty of posts about it on all the forums - we get stuff quite a few months later than the rest of Europe or the US here.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by biglouis

You know.... one other thing which occurs to me.... I wish all their lenses were LTM because then M8 users can opt for Milich adaptors to support lens coding. I appreciate they are serving a bigger market (including their own cameras) but nevertheless......

LouisB

I've been pushing them to do that for two years now but they've still stuck with the M-mount for the time being (for new models).

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by spylaw4

I'll wait for Sean's review - hopefully compared with the Ultron 1.9 amongst others. It's only some 20g lighter - but is it that much more compact?

Yes, new lens compared to Ultron and current 28 Summicron.

Cheers,

Sean

[hnaa]

Well,
obviously I can't comment on this lens yet, but I did own the 28mm Ultron, and passed it up for the Summicron Asph. However, I do think it is a matter of opinion, I happen to like the look of Leica's ASPH lenses, and had a chance to compare the Ultron to the Summicron ASPH. Bad luck for my wallet I'm guessing this upcoming lens will probably make you, and most other buyers a very happy photographer, just don't try out the Summicron!! By the way, I just picked up a 50mm pre-asph, latest model, and chose it over the ASPH, so I guess the choice really comes down to the particular focal length involved. Also, I'm really looking at the voigtlander 15mm and 21mm. Just to let you know I'm not Leica ASPH religious

[stnami]

.
It's here! The Ultron 28/2 M-Mount!~ - Rangefinderforum.com

[pelikan1931]

[lct]

The Ultron 28/2 is 26 grams lighter and one centimeter longer than the Summicron.

Ultron 28/2
Optical design: 8 groups 10 elements
Aperture blades: 10
Focus tab: Yes
Nearest distance: 0.7m
Filter ø: 46mm
Diameter x length: ø55 x 51.2mm
Weight: 244g

Summicron 28/2
Optical design: 6 groups 9 elements
Aperture blades: 10
Focus tab: Yes
Nearest distance: 0.7m
Filter ø: 46mm
Diameter x length: ø53 x 40.8mm
Weight: 270g

The Ultron 28/1.9 is discontinued: Discontinued CV items

[thrid]

Good news for M8 shooters, bad news for Leica.

Even if this lens is 'only' as good as the 1.9/28 was, it's going to be one heck of a bargain
compared to anything Leica is making.

[lct]

Good news to me. Young photogs can use good lenses this way and Cosina helps Leica selling bodies to people who cannot afford new or s/h Summicrons.

[biglouis]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

I've been pushing them to do that for two years now but they've still stuck with the M-mount for the time being (for new models).

Cheers,

Sean

Sean

Would they be violating some kind of copyright or patent if they at least supplied them with pits ready to be hand coded on the M mount lenses? I'm assuming this is the case but otherwise they are missing a great opportunity.

LouisB

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by biglouis

Sean

Would they be violating some kind of copyright or patent if they at least supplied them with pits ready to be hand coded on the M mount lenses?

LouisB

Hi Louis,

Yes, I believe they would. IMHO, the only way that Zeiss or Cosina will include any kind of coding provisions on their lenses will be if that system is licensed to them at some point in the future. For now, its not their decision to make.

Cheers,

Sean