CV 35/1.7 Ultron vs. Canon 35/1.8

[varjag]

On a few occasions, for each of these lenses here it been mentioned that they're not very sharp wide open and a bit prone to flare. This left me wondering for how they compare to each other in performance wide-open?

Also, there seem to be quite a few illustration photos of Ultron wide-open, much less so for the Canon - would love to see some samples :)

[mjflory]

Eugene, I'm sorry I didn't see your message sooner. The topic interests me as well. Frank Mechelhoff has posted a direct comparison of the Ultron and a Canon 35/2 here (http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Canon_RF_2.html). I haven't seen a direct comparison of the Ultron with the Canon F1.8, but I gather that the F2 and the F1.8 are not radically different lenses. The Canon doesn't come off badly, but the Ultron does seem sharper. His pictures don't really test for flare. He comments that the Ultron is a little sharper, but that the Canon is contrasty and warmer.

By the way, only the German-language version of the page contains the Canon-Ultron comparison, but the rest of the page is translated into English -- see the link at the top of the page.

There's another discussion comparing several 35mm RF lenses here (http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Gnq1), with a few shots taken with the Canon 35/1.8 lens. (There are suggestions that the 35/1.8 has less flare resistance than the Canon 35/2, incidentally.)

[ferider]

The big difference is situations like this:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/photos/193655662-L.jpg

Where the Canon "glows" wide open. This might be good or bad depending
on what you need. Raid has posted several wide open Canon street examples
when he came back from Portugal.

I have had two Ultron samples and found them resistant to flare. Nice
bokeh wide open (which the 35/1.8 has too, but the 35/2 does not have).
I kept the Canon. The Canon is very small. There is also a difference in
min. focus distance.

Roland.

[Bingley]

I'm interested in the subject of this thread and hope it keeps going. You might get some idea about the relative qualities of these two lenses by checking the Gallery. I believe that RFF member Tuna uses an Ultron 35/1.7, and I think Raid used a Canon 35/1.8 on his recent trip to Portugal. I don't know whether Roland has posted any shots in the Gallery w/ his Canon 35/1.8.

[raid]

The Ultron is a more modern design lens with better flare control than the Canon, but I like the 35/1.8 for what is is and what is can do. I wonder if recoating the Canon would help with flare.

[wlewisiii]

I posted samples from my 35/1.8 in these two threads:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38448
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44344

Hope these are of some use. I consider my 35/1.8 to be one of the finest lenses I've ever owned.

William

[varjag]

Thank you folks, your opinions and examples are appreciated!

Not making choice any simpler though.. :)

[los]

canon 35/f1.8 @ f4 over pan F.

http://home.mindspring.com/%7Ecarlosjackson/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/cool_car.jpg

[Bingley]

Lovely tones on that shot, Los. There haven't been a lot of Canon 35/1.8s for sale recently. I'm waiting on the mail for the Ultron, purchased from another RFF member. I seen my chances, and I took 'em.

[varjag]

Have to add that am now also waiting for the Ultron: getting one at a price point I couldn't resist :) The shots from Canon also impressive though - would've just as easily bought it if it came my way before the Ultron.

[Luddite Frank]

My first 35mm RF lens for my thread-mount Leicas is a Canon 35 / f 1.8.

A very nice lens that set me back only about $90.


I was about to buy a new CV 35, when the Canon popped-up on e-Bay.

Since then, I've also gotten a 35 /f 3.5 Elmar...nice, but slow.


Can't speak as to flare tendency; I've been trying to avoid pointing the camera into "flare territory" lately...

Let us know how you like your Ultron...


Luddite Frank

[patrickjames]

Here are a couple with the Canon. These are nothing special believe me, but maybe they will help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9707097@N08/tags/canon35mmf18/

[raid]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/31360010.jpg

[raid]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/32250026.jpg

[raid]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/31360006.jpg

[raid]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/31380020.jpg

[raid]

These were all photos taken with the Canon 35mm/1.8 wide open. I like the results. Still, I am having the lens cleaned professionally and expect it back in service any day. Then I will compare it to Mark's Biogon and my Canon 35/2.8.

[Bingley]

I look forward to seeing that comparison, Raid. Even though I just bought the Ultron, I'm still interested in the Canon 35/2.8, as a lens w/ different character than the CV 35s.

[raid]

These two lenses were compared with respect to flare resistance and sharpness, plus bokeh and contrast in an earlier test in which Roland and I teamed up to arrive at the final results.

Here is one link, but the analysis was posted in a separate thread by Roland.

http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/2836741#151905649-L-LB

Here is another "slice" from the test:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/2836741#152182206-O-LB

[raid]

I look forward to seeing that comparison, Raid. Even though I just bought the Ultron, I'm still interested in the Canon 35/2.8, as a lens w/ different character than the CV 35s.

Steve,
The Canon 35/2.8 is a sleeper of a lens. I somehow bought the lens from KEH as ugly [it was beautiful and not ugly]. then I added the finder [maybe from Joe] and then I got the case for the lens & finder.

Here are a few photos taken with the Canon 35mm/2.8in open shade.

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=606479

[Bingley]

See, those pictures are why I'm interested in this lens! In the last one, is your daughter imitating her dad pressing the shutter???

Nice work, nice lens. Thanks!

[raid]

See, those pictures are why I'm interested in this lens! In the last one, is your daughter imitating her dad pressing the shutter???

Nice work, nice lens. Thanks!

Thank you, Steve.
Lina is a smart little girl, and she may have been making fun of her Dad taking photos.She imitates me often and so does Dana. Both girls are now used to see me with a few cameras every weekend. I "trained" them since birth.

As for the lens, like many older lenses, they will do great in open shade. I don't often face flare when taking photos of my family.

The Canon 35/2.8 sometimes sells for a good price as a set (case with lens and finder) for about $200.

[DrLeoB]

Following this thread for awhile and now that I have both of the lenses and the R-D1, thought I would share ...

[DrLeoB]

To complete the comparison .... I like each one, now what?

[raid]

To complete the comparison .... I like each one, now what?

Leo,

Thanks.

The photo taken with the Ultron covers the window whereas the photo taken with the Canon lens does not. It would be more useful to show similar exposure to externalsources oflight.