Voigtlander Ultron 35mm/1.7

[Peter]

Dear Fellow Ultron Users,

I have heard from my friends that the Ultron has construction defects that will result in the front ring coming loose in the most unexpected moment. Does anyone have similar experience.

Regards,
Peter

[rover]

I have heard it occurs when adding and removing the hood and filters. The front assembly can unscrew itself.

Peter, what is your experience with the Ultron compared to your other 35s. I just got some shots back and I was very happy with the results. It produced very sharp images. On the same roll of film I had some shots from my 50 Summicron, the Ultron shots had a different character, but they were nice and sharp.

[Peter]

The Ultron is my favourite 35mm lens! It is like you say very sharp and very contrasty too! Some of my best shots are made with Ultron as evidenced by the photos in my member gallery. I have heard the same thing about the front ring coming loose when changing filters but there are also users swearing by its excellent construction. Could it be a case of poor quality control? I am looking for another fast lens to complement the Ultron and I am looking at the Classic Nokton 40mm/1.4 very closely!

[rover]

Me too regarding the 40, I have my fingers crossed that it will get some great reviews.

My scanning abilities were not with me yesterday, but here is an Ultron shot that just stuck out to me as very sharp when I was looking through some new prints. The scan doesn't do it justice.

It is on Kodak 400 TMY.

[Peter]

Sharp and contrasty! It does has the familiar Ultron look to it and you must be very glad to buy one. I do hope that the 40mm/1.4 will be up to our collective expectations, I will be very disappointed if it is mediocre lens! What about other CV 35mm lenses that you have used before?

[Tim]

hmmmmm.....wonder if I can use rumours of questionable quality control on the Ultron 35 to justify a Summicron 35 to the missus????

I've had no problems with my Ultron 35 at all. Love that lens, I bought it because I wanted the extra 1 1/2 stops from the Color-Skopar. Very happy with the results from both of them, but I think the Ultron has the definite edge.

It feels very good to handle, too. This is the first I've heard of problems with that lens, hope they aren't widespread...

tim

[rover]

Tim, the 35 Summicron has a wonderful character to it, I really like the look of images taken with it. Take a look at Todd Hanz gallery for a lot of great examples. The 4th version of the Summicron, the "King of Bokah" version, shares the same issue as the Ultron though. So, shop smart, and buy the Leica lens because you like the "look" of it, not because of a potential problem with the Ultron.

Peter, I haven't tried any other 35. I am tempted to find a CV Classic, you can get them for a low price now a days, but I keep getting good results back from the Ultron, so my desire isn't that great. I am looking forward to seeing some tests and results from the Zeiss 35/2. It is about the same size as the Ultron and from my handling of it the other day a wonderful feeling lens.

[Peter]

You know what Rover, you should be like Tim and have both the Ultron and the Color Skopar 35mm!

[denishr]

Well, after I've seen the results from Summilux 35 Asph (35/1.4), everything else looks rather.... ordinary

Man, but that thing sure IS expensive (found one used for 1,300 EUR - something like $1,5000).

...NO, I did not buy it!

But, I keep thinking about it every now and then - e.g. whenever a question of 35mm lens pops up

[peter_n]

I have a CV 35/2.5 Pancake 1 and it is an excellent lens. Very short throw from infinity to close-up, terrific build quality (barrel and rings are brass). Color rendition is warm, it is sharp, and the OOF area is very nice at f2.5 (something you can't say about all the CV lenses). I love the lens!

[back alley]

i'm very happy with my cv classic .

as to the end of the lens unscrewing when taking off a filter - my 'new' canon 135 ltm does the same thing. i think it's part of how it's designed. brian may know more about this though.
i can see if you are REALLY NOT paying ANY attention at all how the front element might come undone. but then your white cane might stop the fall.

joe

[rover]

I just read some threads over at photo.net. Whenever someone mentions a 35mm lens, the 40mm C and CLE are brought up as better options. Makes you think......

[Peter]

Brian, if you are reading this thread, why some lenses come loose when you change the filter?

[David Kieltyka]

Originally posted by rover
I just read some threads over at photo.net. Whenever someone mentions a 35mm lens, the 40mm C and CLE are brought up as better options. Makes you think......

Hah, I've probably done that myself once or twice. The 35–40mm range is my favorite with RF cameras. I have the CV Ultron and the Color Skopar II. Both first rate, with the modern sharp & contrasty look. Though strictly a matter of personal taste the best of the whole lot, IMO, is the 40mm Summicron-C. It's a high resolution lens with lower contrast than the CVs, though still high enough for snappy images, and bokeh at least as smooth as the acclaimed v4 35mm Summicron. It sees into the shadows real well. It and its Minolta Rokkor equivalent can also be had used at reasonable prices for a Leitz/Leica lens. Worth a try if you happen to come upon a used sample in good condition.

-Dave-

[rover]

I think I would have to agree Dave

40/2 Rokkor CLE

[tonal1]

Originally Posted by rover

I think I would have to agree Dave

40/2 Rokkor CLE

That's one of the better "bokeh" examples I've seen with this lens.

[Brian Sweeney]

Just read the thread. I have not seen or taken apart a CV 35 F1.7; but...

Some lenses have a front "module" that screws into the lens. The Nikkor-S 35mm F2.8 in Nikon F mount and Nikkor-H 5cm f2 in S-Mount are two examples. Most Wollensak lenses are this way. The Nikkor 13.5cm F3.5 in S-Mount comes apart in several modules, made cleaning it really easy. The filter thread is part of the module. The problem is that it unscrews in the same direction as the filter. No set-screws to hold the module in. If the filter is tighter than the module, out it comes. So the thing to do is to hold the lens by the outermost part of the module and unscrew the filter. If it is tight, use rubber bands for extra grip. Most later lenses added set screws, sometimes hidden under rubber grips to correct the problem.

If the module does come undone, just screw it back in.

[rover]

It sounds like the issue may be compounded with the Ultron because of the hood design. To change filters you have to screw off the hood, so there are two times you are stressing this module.

[Sonnar]

Compared to my VL 4/25 and 4.5/15 the Ultron 1.7/35 is missing contrast at middle apertures. At f/1.7 it's OK but I would expect significant improvement when stopped down to f/5.6 or 8.
Even it's a nice lens in chrome, I prefer my 40 year old Canon 2/35 which I get later for about the same price. Its much smaller and better to handle.
To see some comparison pictures see http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/C...ANON_RF_2-35mm

regards Frank

[Peter]

Thanks Brian for the information.

[back alley]

uh frank, it's in german...

joe

[Sonnar]

Hi Joe, sorry - sometime I translate all the stuff :-)

[ddutchison]

Peter,

You'd have to google the photo.net site to find the threads, but some of the 35 Ultrons had a problem with three internal set-screws coming loose (Quite a different matter than a front lens group un-screwing).

This problem wasn't too common. As I remember, one user was quoted a ridiculous price for the repair , so he took it upon himself to repair the lens, and posted the method, which turned out to be pretty quick and simple.

[rover]

Here is that repair thread David mentioned. Interesting.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-...?msg_id=006dyD

[Peter]

Thanks David and Rover. I have PDFed the article for future reference.