Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f1.4ii or Ultron 35mm f2

[Lee S]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

6 hours ago, Dennis said:

This thread, among others, made me made a decision. Recently I bought the 35/1.4 II MC and like it very much. I'm sure this lens will never leave. But I am also interested in trying the Ultron II. My ideal 35 modern lens is f/2; I don't need a faster lens. I have 1.4 on the Nokton, and I use it when I want, but it's not essential for me. The 35/2 Summicron Asph would be an great fit for me, I guess, but unfortunately it's out of the budget. If I spend so much for a new Leica lens, I get the 21 SEM.

The long lenses like CV 35/2 APO are optically (IQ) my ideal lenses, but I can't. I would buy it, but the long lens size doesn't work for me at all. I could arrive to accept up to a 35/1.2 III size, larger but shorter. But not that long like a Distagon, for a few reasons. 

When I see options for a brand new modern 35mm f/2, the Ultron II, I think, could be the one. I have the Nokton Classic and the 2.8/35 ZM; I'm fine. But the 35mm is my most used FL, and I would love to have a few glasses to choose from, according to the mood, purpose, and skills 🙂

 

Dennis I think you might be my  GAS soulmate……….

We might have the same kit (35mm Nokton F1.4 MC II, 35mm F2.8 C-Biogon and perhaps the 50mm Nokton F1.5 MC II.

Despite being happy with with the above I keep getting drawn to the new 35mm ultron. If you buy one please do a comparison 🙂

Agree about the 35mm APO-Lanthar it’s too big but would be palatable in 35mm F1.2 Nokton III size.

I do wonder how small the 35mm APO-Lanthar could be made if they did an F2.8 version and how this would compare to the C-Biogon…

I’m hoping @Harpomatic will do another one of his excellent group reviews. I’d happy to send him some of my lenses. 

Edited July 31, 2021 by Lee S

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[lct]

11 hours ago, Dennis said:

When I see options for a brand new modern 35mm f/2, the Ultron II, I think, could be the one. I have the Nokton Classic and the 2.8/35 ZM; I'm fine. But the 35mm is my most used FL, and I would love to have a few glasses to choose from, according to the mood, purpose, and skills 🙂

Good choice. The only thing you could miss is creamy bokeh at f/2 if you like that but the Ultron's is not harsh and the Summicron 35/2 asph is a more expensive lens obviously.

[6bit]

I do not have the Ultron, but the CV 1.4/35mm ii is my favorite 35mm lens.

[Victor Luo]

Had the Ultron V1 but sold it to get Nokton 35mm f/1.4.

Technically Ultron is super sharp and modern but I do not like its bokeh and heavy vignetting wide open.  Nokton at f/2 is sharp enough for me, and even though some people say its bokeh is busy, it's still way better and smoother than Ultron IMO. The only drawback of Nokton is barrel distortion but I don't shoot fence or architecture so not a big deal. Plus, Nokton has an extra stop of light when I need it. 

[Dennis]

1 hour ago, Victor Luo said:

Technically Ultron is super sharp and modern but I do not like its bokeh and heavy vignetting wide open.  

I heard this. The vignette is easily fixable but not the "kind" of bokeh, right? I guess there is no ideal lens. Can you please tell me more about what you don't like about the bokeh that made you choose the Nokton instead?

I have the Nokton, and I would love to try the Ultron II. But sometimes, I do believe that with a Nokton and a 35/2.8 ZM, I don't need the Ultron II. Maybe it's better to wait for a good used 35 Summicron v4, or even the Biogon 35/2 ... I know it's longer, but it has the extra stop I would use for sure. Not sure how good it is @f2. Is it like the biogon with an extra stop, sacrificing a little for size and weight? Or there are some issues? No idea.

.

Today, it's about 35/2 Ultron II and 35/2 ZM 🤣  

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Dennis

[Victor Luo]

41 minutes ago, Dennis said:

I heard this. The vignette is easily fixable but not the "kind" of bokeh, right? I guess there is no ideal lens. Can you please tell me more about what you don't like about the bokeh that made you choose the Nokton instead?

I have the Nokton, and I would love to try the Ultron II. But sometimes, I do believe that with a Nokton and a 35/2.8 ZM, I don't need the Ultron II. Maybe it's better to wait for a good used 35 Summicron v4, or even the Biogon 35/2 ... I know it's longer, but it has the extra stop I would use for sure. Not sure how good it is @f2. Is it like the biogon with an extra stop, sacrificing a little for size and weight? Or there are some issues? No idea.

.

Today, it's about 35/2 Ultron II and 35/2 ZM 🤣  

 

At f/2, Ultron has less boken with more out of focus definition than Nokton which results in busier rendering. Also there is quite a lot of 'swirling' in Ultron's bokeh. Nokton has some, but not as much as Ultron. From what i can tell, 35/2.8 ZM is overall a great lens except 1 stop less of light than ultron. I had the Biogon 35/2 but sold it as well due to its size. But from what I can remember, Biogon 35/2 has better rendering than ultron(no swirling). Although I think ultron is sharper than biogon 35/2 at f2. 

So yeah, there really is no ideal lens 😅 it all depends on your preference. 

[Dennis]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

1 hour ago, Victor Luo said:

Also there is quite a lot of 'swirling' in Ultron's bokeh. Nokton has some, but not as much as Ultron. From what i can tell, 35/2.8 ZM is overall a great lens except 1 stop less of light than ultron. I had the Biogon 35/2 but sold it as well due to its size. But from what I can remember, Biogon 35/2 has better rendering than ultron(no swirling)

I can't picturing the swirling, I would have to see it to understand... I can only see you don't like it very much, maybe it doesn't feel natural.

But I'm glad to know the Ultron it's very sharp at f/2, so I would expect the same or better for the Ultron II

[lct]

I have never seen swirly bokeh out of the Ultron 35/2 so far but i use it only on the digital CL

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[adan]

7 hours ago, Dennis said:

I can't picturing the swirling, I would have to see it to understand...

Looks like this - although this is an extreme example with a modified lens (front element taken out and reversed).

http://www.verybiglobo.com/extremely-swirly-bokeh-short-tutorial/

Basically a combination of edge aberrations:

- "cat's-eye" bokeh balls "()" due to vignetting wide open (see lct's 2nd and 3rd examples - left side)

- plus really strong astigmatic coma to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the bokeh balls even more, as they travel around the center of the picture.

[Boojay]

9 hours ago, Dennis said:

I can't picturing the swirling, I would have to see it to understand... I can only see you don't like it very much, maybe it doesn't feel natural.

But I'm glad to know the Ultron it's very sharp at f/2, so I would expect the same or better for the Ultron II

Both of these at f/2,  you can see some swirly bokeh in the buttercups version (taken on CL)  with busy background, second of clematis (on M10R) with more distant background not such an issue... some vignetting for sure. My copy is version one of the Ultron which is optically identical to version II I believe.  

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

 

 

 

[Rus]

A few banal test shots with the Ultron 35mm f/2 Type II. All at F2. 

Just to clarify, the last photo was shot through a double-glazed window at a bit of an angle. Normally I don't seem to notice as much vignetting with this lease. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2021 by Rus

[Dennis]

7 hours ago, adan said:

Looks like this - although this is an extreme example with a modified lens (front element taken out and reversed).

http://www.verybiglobo.com/extremely-swirly-bokeh-short-tutorial/

Basically a combination of edge aberrations:

- "cat's-eye" bokeh balls "()" due to vignetting wide open (see lct's 2nd and 3rd examples - left side)

- plus really strong astigmatic coma to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the bokeh balls even more, as they travel around the center of the picture.

 Thank you for the link and explanation. I see. Well, the example are extreme, and TBH I don't like them. But it doesn't bother me on the samples above that Ict, Boojay and Rus shared. Maybe I should test and take some photos before to blindly buy it.

.

My point is that I would love another 35mm, f/2, more Biogon and less Nokton 🤔 Let me explain it. I really like my CV 35/1.4 II MC; it's a bargain. Lighter than 200Gr, fast, and an exceptional commitment in many situations. I love its peculiarity wide open and sharp enough at f/4 or f/8. But if I usually shoot at a medium and long-distance such as infinity or so, I don't love how it performs; I just embrace it. I can't tell you if my copy has something, or just all the Nokton's are like this. I repeat I want to keep the lens and use it for daily snapshots to travel light. Considering all, the lens will never leave.

From what I can see, the Ultron is definitely sharper than Nokton at f/2 and f/4, and besides the swirly and the vignette, it looks like an attractive lens to me.

 

 

Edited August 2, 2021 by Dennis

[astrostl]

Ultron bokeh swirls bug me too. It's my only real knock against the 50/1.5 II - I can easily fix vignetting in post, to the extent it's undesirable.

[Dennis]

19 minutes ago, astrostl said:

Ultron bokeh swirls bug me too. It's my only real knock against the 50/1.5 II 

So, maybe all the new "II" (v2) lesnes are swirling 🤣 This is the price for a newer modern lens.

You all made me think about the Ultron II in a different way, thank you. I guess the best way is try it hands-on and make the decision after looking at my photos.

 

[lct]

Swirly bokeh out of the CV Heliar 40/2.8 at f/2.8. 
Another favorite triplet of mine, the only M-mount lens sans focus ring AFAIK. 
Never seen such OoF rendition with the Ultron 35/2 so far but i have no experience with it on full frame cameras. 
No Leica gear here sorry (Sony A7r2 mod) but the lens works only at infinity on Leica bodies.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

[astrostl]

[deleted]

 

Edited August 2, 2021 by astrostl

[Ralf11]

can someone tell me the difference between the Nokton 35mm 1.4 MC 1 and 2 ?

[Dennis]

1 hour ago, Ralf11 said:

can someone tell me the difference between the Nokton 35mm 1.4 MC 1 and 2 ?

In a very few words, the MC II is definitely better. They corrected almost all focus shift issue. Plus is sharper.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Marckyokay]

On 8/2/2021 at 11:30 AM, Rus said:

A few banal test shots with the Ultron 35mm f/2 Type II. All at F2. 

Just to clarify, the last photo was shot through a double-glazed window at a bit of an angle. Normally I don't seem to notice as much vignetting with this lease. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

 

 

Rus...

You might have a Totoro problem in your garden ...

[Rus]

12 hours ago, Marckyokay said:

Rus...

You might have a Totoro problem in your garden ...

If only it'd give me a bag of magic beans!