Quick subjective review of the Apo-Ultron 90/2 on MEV1

[lct]

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Is the Apo-Ultron 90/2 the best 90/2 lens for M cameras? Depends for what purpose but it is probably the best compromise so far.

• I had been disappointed by the Apo-Skopar 90/2.8 that produces too much color fringing for an f/2.8 lens, especially apo, but the Apo-Ultron has solved this issue apparently. At full aperture, it beats both Apo-Skopar and Summicron 90/2 v3 on color fringing. It could beat also the Summicron 90/2 apo in this matter but i would need to do side-by-side comparos to be sure.

• On sharpness, the Apo-Ultron has a bit less acutance than the Summicron 90/2 apo but it has not its relative harshness on portraits. It looks a bit sharper than the Summicron 90/2 v3 at f/2 so the latter remains my favorite on gentle portraits but the Apo-Ultron is no slouch in this regard.

• Contrast wise i would rate the Apo-Ultron in-between the Summicron 90/2 apo and 90/2 v3 but it is just a subjective viewpoint.

• Flare wise, the Apo-Ultron seems immune from it when strong light sources are inside the frame. When such sources are just outside the frame, flare can appear at extreme corners but it disapears when moving slighly the camera.

• As for focusing, it is not a problem at any aperture on the MEV1 thanks to its built-in EVF but i did not test the lens on a rangefinder yet. Same for focus shift that does not appear with the MEV1 but remains to be checked on rangefinders.

• Overall, the Apo-Ultron reminds me of my favorite Summicron 90/2 v2 wihout the bulk or the latter. The Apo-Ultron is sinificantly lighter and shorter than both Summicron apo and v3 and also than the otherwise excellent Elmarit 90/2.8 v2.

• At less than 1,000 EUR, the Apo-Ultron appears like a bargain when used on the MEV1. Makes a great team together with current Summicron 35/2 and 50/2 non apo.

• Couple of snaps with Apo-Ultron on MEV1 below, all handheld at f/2. Details in exif data.

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[M Street Photographer]

A very interesting and good lens. I think Fred Miranda's review says it all.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1886307/0

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-voigtlander-vm-90mm-2-0-apo-ultron/

Phillip : Once more, I am sure this Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron is exactly what people expected of it, as again it outperforms the several times more expensive Leica pendant in almost every category while being smaller and lighter. What is not to like here?

 

Edited 1 hour ago by M Street Photographer

[lct]

• For better sharpness, vignetting and distortion, the Summicron 90/2 apo is the way to go.
• For compactness, closeups and macro, the Macro-Elmar 90/4 is unrivaled AFAIK.
• For compactness at f/2.8, the Tele-Elmarit "thin" 90/2.8 has no competition i'm aware of either but i don't know well the latest lenses coming from China. Beware of flare with the T-E 90/2.8, but it is not a problem on EVF1 since flare is visible in the EVF.
• For those interested, i pen code the Apo-Ultron 90/2 as Summicron 90/2 v3 (000111). Works for auto lens detection on MEV1, also on M11 and M240, probably on other digital M cameras as well but i did not try the lens on my M8.2.