Summarit 35 f2.5 or Voigtlander Ultron 35 f2 ?

[Algarius]

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Which one would you choose for a Leica M240 : SUMMARIT 35 f2.5 (second hand from 2013) or Voigtlander Ultron 35 f2 (new) ? For travel and everyday photos.

I like smooth bokeh and a good separation power ("3D effect")

Thanks for your advice / opinions.

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[lct]

I'm not good at comparing lenses of different apertures but i find the Ultron hard to beat as far as sharpness is concerned. Not to say that the Summarit is soft but it has a bit less acutance, to my eyes, and its OoF rendition is smoother than that of the Ultron which may feel somewhat harsher as a comparison. Subjective matter of course, you can go wrong with neither lens anyway. You may wish to check that the Summarit has no quality issues though. The aperture ring wobbles a bit on mine and its focus ring feels loose compared to the Ultron's.

[spydrxx]

Camera body is irrelevant to me. I'd take the Voigtlander.

[TomB_tx]

I haven't tried the Ultron: found the Summarit 2.5 and it does all I want, so stopped looking.

[rouge_homme]

I have owned both and while the Summarit is certainly a solid performer, I would go for the Ultron (which I still own and use).

In my opinion, the Ultron has better build quality, is sharper while returning a pop of character and it can be purchased brand new for less than the Summarit.

It does tend to vignette wide open but nothing that cannot be easily corrected in post.

[35 mm]

In this video (sorry, it‘s in german language) you’ll find some pictures taken with the Ultron 35mm at f2.
It might be helpful to get an idea of the bokeh. (I‘m not sure If I would call it smooth, but i like it) 
I own the Ultron 35mm and have used it often, but since I bought an Summilux 35mm this one is my favorite.
In terms of sharpness my Ultron is as sharp as my Summilux.

Edited June 21, 2024 by 35 mm

[crons]

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23 hours ago, Algarius said:

Which one would you choose for a Leica M240 : SUMMARIT 35 f2.5 (second hand from 2013) or Voigtlander Ultron 35 f2 (new) ? For travel and everyday photos.

I like smooth bokeh and a good separation power ("3D effect")

Thanks for your advice / opinions.

Chances are you will enjoy the Ultron more. 

If you don't mind the bigger size then the APO-Lanthar is as good as a 35mm lens gets. If you want that 3D Pop and super butter smooth bokeh, forget the size and buy this lens. 

If you like small then the Ultron. 

If you want blurry backgrounds and vintage charm and not perfection then the one I just sold the 35f1.4 II Nokton is lovely. 

Edited June 21, 2024 by crons

[fcracer]

On 6/21/2024 at 1:41 AM, Algarius said:

Which one would you choose for a Leica M240 : SUMMARIT 35 f2.5 (second hand from 2013) or Voigtlander Ultron 35 f2 (new) ? For travel and everyday photos.

I like smooth bokeh and a good separation power ("3D effect")

Thanks for your advice / opinions.

I’ve never tried the summarit but I’ve had the ultron v2 since its launch. It’s a great lens with a short minimum focus distance. I often will take the M11 and just this lens (I also have the FLE). 

[RexGig0]

On 6/20/2024 at 1:41 PM, Algarius said:

Which one would you choose for a Leica M240 : SUMMARIT 35 f2.5 (second hand from 2013) or Voigtlander Ultron 35 f2 (new) ? For travel and everyday photos.

I like smooth bokeh and a good separation power ("3D effect")

Thanks for your advice / opinions.

We cannot know exactly what you mean by “smooth bokeh.” Personally, I would not regard the Ultron as having “smooth bokeh,” at least not in all circumstances. I remember seeing a “soap bubble” effect, in the bokeh, rather than “smooth.” I did not buy an Ultron, but, did extensive search for sample images. I am not saying that “soap bubble bokeh” is bad. It is a matter of personal taste.

My personal standard for “smooth bokeh,” with a 35mm M-mount lens, is the physically somewhat large Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1.4 ZM. For reference, my overall personal standard, for smooth bokeh, in M-mount lenses, is the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH. No 35mm lens has bokeh that “matches” this Summilux 50, but, the Distagon is similarly “smooth.” (The Leica 35mm Summilux lenses tend to show what I would call “busy” bokeh.)

In the Voigtlander line, the 35mm APO Lanthar will show very rounded “bokeh balls.” I do not have a 35mm APO Lanthar, but remember seeing this, during my searches for sample images.

Edited June 22, 2024 by RexGig0

[costa43]

Out of these two I would go for the Summarit as I like a hard stop at 0.7m on an M camera but If you like smooth bokeh and 3d pop and do not mind about having a hard stop at min focus then I would also consider the 35mm f1.2 from Voigtlander. Version 3 is not so big and it gives you something that neither of these two lenses can whilst being super sharp stopped down. 

[rouge_homme]

13 hours ago, costa43 said:

Out of these two I would go for the Summarit as I like a hard stop at 0.7m on an M camera but If you like smooth bokeh and 3d pop and do not mind about having a hard stop at min focus then I would also consider the 35mm f1.2 from Voigtlander. Version 3 is not so big and it gives you something that neither of these two lenses can whilst being super sharp stopped down. 

I'm not sure if it is the same for other M cameras but with my M11, the rangefinder is coupled all the way to 0.5m when using the Ultron (which can be very handy).

I also own the new 35mm Summilux FLE ii with close focus and while the hard stop at 0.7m is a nice feature, the coupling stops beyond this point.

I prefer the rendering (ever so slightly) of the FLE but the smaller size of the Ultron and ability to close focus without LV makes it a great package.

[Algarius]

Thanks to all of you for your answers. I am surprised to read that most of you would opt for the Voigt. It seems to get great review actually and it is said to be up to the Summmicron !

[rouge_homme]

17 hours ago, Algarius said:

Thanks to all of you for your answers. I am surprised to read that most of you would opt for the Voigt. It seems to get great review actually and it is said to be up to the Summmicron !

Honestly, unless you get a great deal on the Summarit or simply want to use a Leica lens on a Leica camera (which is fine and many of us do), the Ultron just ticks more boxes.

Best of luck with your decision!

[a.noctilux]

On 6/24/2024 at 2:39 PM, costa43 said:

Summarit as I like a hard stop at 0.7m on an M camera

My two Summarit-M 2.5/35/50 close focus stop at 0.8m.

Not bad, but I don-t know why not 0.7 as other Leitz/Leica lenses, minus those 1m limits (Summilux/ Noctilux) of course

[Smudgerer]

Nobody has yet mentioned Voigtlander's Color Skopar 35mm, the new version is pretty wonderful in performance and size too.......

Edited June 28, 2024 by Smudgerer
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