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Voigtländer Ultron 28mm f2


NicolasGOD

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Tried this lens twice on an M8. Both copies had focus shift as the lens was stopped down and since I wasn't thrilled with the f2 performance I decided to go for a 28mm f2.8 lens without focus shift instead.

 

-Thomas

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Nicolas, I suggest you to consider the previous lens, the Ultron 28/1.9 Aspherical, I had the 28/2 but sold (didn't like it) and bought the 28/1.9 and I love it much, much more.

It needs an LTM to M adapter (can be codified) but while i did not use very much the 28/2 for the problems stated above by other members, I now use the 28/1.9 a lot and with great pleasure. Not a Leica lens, but quite close IMO.

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Good cheap lens, no focus shift on mine, soft in the corners at all apertures.

 

Same here, albeit on M9 and M3. No problems at all with focus shift, corners are a tad soft but not in print after about f/2.8, f/4.0. I consider vignetting quite “harmonic” and rarely correct it in post-pro.

 

I switched to the Ultron after realising the Elmarit 28 (III) simply was one stop too slow for me, while being heavier and bulkier with the shade attached. I keep the Elmarit in case I reconsider – I might still be in GAS mode, only had the lens for a few short weeks. But I’m quite happy with the results:

 

5980460085_fe0c452b4a_z.jpg

Passages, day 2. by nggalai, on Flickr

 

More here: Flickr: Search nggalai's photostream

 

The Ultron is turning out to become my always-on. We’ll see.

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Cheers, Enrico. :)

 

Detail at f/8 is quite something, too. I was very surprised about the Ultron’s performance in that respect, too. Below’s a 1:1 crop of that brown hut thingy next to the hotel building:

 

What I really like about the Ultron is that it’s only about 250g, ships with a decent hood which won’t block the viewfinder too much (the Elmarit came with a vented hood), and the “traditional” feel to both aperture and focus ring. Also, with the hood attached it’s still sticking out less than the 1990s Elmarit. And image quality might not be in ’Cron vicinity, but close enough for the odd poster or two.

 

Bang for the buck, this is my favourite lens next to the 50mm Summicron Rigid.

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Thanks for the advices.

 

I think I'm gonna wait to go back France to try the lens in a Shop, as it seems that there is difference between the production from 1 lens to another 1.

 

Seems to be a good value for the money. :p

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I like this lens on the M8 and have no problems

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From my first shots with the 28mm Ultron f2... Regards

 

First (left): ISO320-f2 1/45 +1 exp (untreated)

Next: ISO160-f8 1/250 +1 exp (untreated)

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This lens has noticeable (by most) focus shift. Focus shift is basically determined by design, and is not variable by sample so all will have it. Whether it bothers you or not is a completely different matter.

 

The earlier f/1.9 has a lot less focus shift on stopping down, but is lower contrast and is otherwise maybe not quite as good, but still an excellent lens. For digital Leicas, this one would be my choice.

 

Better options are a lot more expensive. :)

 

Henning

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This lens has noticeable (by most) focus shift. Focus shift is basically determined by design, and is not variable by sample so all will have it. Whether it bothers you or not is a completely different matter.

 

I agree focus shift is due to design and not a question of manufacturing tolerance. Perhaps some find the Ultron’s focus shift negligible and others noticeable due to different sensor sizes? Depth of field of the 28mm Ultron is quite a tad deeper on an M9 or film M than on an M8; at 1m and f/2 we’re talking 15cm vs/ 11cm, at 3m and f/5.6 6.6m compared to 3.9m.

 

Focus shift will appear more extreme on a crop camera than on full-frame.

 

Addendum: … which means the Ultron can front-focus up to 8cm and back-focus up to 12cm @ f/5.6 focussed at 70cm on an M9 or film camera to still have acceptable sharpness where you wanted it (i.e. 70cm focus distance). With an M8, it’s 7cm front-focus and 9cm back focus only, i.e. should be more noticeable and a larger problem.

 

Is there a lens review available which measured the Ultron’s focus shift? Would be mighty interesting. :)

 

Cheers,

-Sascha

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Is there a lens review available which measured the Ultron’s focus shift? Would be mighty interesting. :)

 

I Think Sean Reed have a complete review on the Ultron 28/2 and, if i remember well, point on the focus shift of this lens.

De facto, I've sold mine and bought the 28/1.9 and I'm more than satisfied with it. It is sharp, no focus shift and I also like the contrast. I remember a quick test i did with a friend: we took the same picture with the Ultron 28/1.9 and with the Cron 28/2. Well, after mixing up the pictures we couldn't tell which one was the CV and which the Cron. For what is worth.

Anyway a beautiful lens.

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Hi

 

You need a ruler or similar uniform patterned material (e.g. news print) at 45 degrees axis, and a camera clamp or tripod.

 

Not to clear why the focus shift would be different between M8 or M9, as the sensor is actually the same pixel separation, you may not detect focus shift with a film Leica, even if it is there... The depth of field would be different between a M8 and M9, on a final print cause of the enlargement ratios, but that is a different problem...

 

Noel

P.S. it is easier to code the f/1.9 send an adapter to machine shop for milling - no risk to lens

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P.S. it is easier to code the f/1.9 send an adapter to machine shop for milling - no risk to lens

 

You can also find Cosina adapters with a groove already milled on the mount that can be permanently coded wit a brush and some opaque black paint. It is the less expensive way to put a permanent 6 bit code on a lens

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