Zeiss 28mm f2.8 Biogon vs Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron

CrisR · 10-03-2012

So I've missed the 35mm FOV on my M8 and my lenses jump from the VC 35mm f1.4 Nokton to the VC 21mm Color Skopar. A 28mm is in order.

My No1 lens right now is the Zeiss 50mm f2 Planar, the sharpness is amazing - so the question is, Ultron or Biogon?

The Ultron has a stop more speed and bokeh (and is cheaper) but I've been lead to believe the Biogon is Planar-esque in its sharpness.

I have no experience with either - recommendations? Size is a factor, I'd prefer smaller but i think the 35mm Nokton has spoilt me there

Thank you!

filmfan · 10-03-2012

As if we didn't already have this thread, you started two new ones:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...d.php?t=109011

CrisR · 10-03-2012

Sorry? Isn't this a discussion forum?

Perhaps some different people who weren't around 18 months ago have had some different experiences? I can't say that thread was particularly helpful, which is why I started my own.

Godfrey · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrisR

So I've missed the 35mm FOV on my M8 and my lenses jump from the VC 35mm f1.4 Nokton to the VC 21mm Color Skopar. A 28mm is in order.

My No1 lens right now is the Zeiss 50mm f2 Planar, the sharpness is amazing - so the question is, Ultron or Biogon?

The Ultron has a stop more speed and bokeh (and is cheaper) but I've been lead to believe the Biogon is Planar-esque in its sharpness.

I have no experience with either - recommendations? Size is a factor, I'd prefer smaller but i think the 35mm Nokton has spoilt me there.

I've got the Ultron 28mm f/2 and find it a good performer. Can't compare it to the Zeiss because I don't own one of them. 28mm is not my favorite focal length on FF with the M9, but it works a treat for me with the Ricoh GXR-M's APS-C format.

I've heard that the Ultron 28mm f/2 focus shifts a little from f/2 to f/2.8. This isn't relevant with the GXR since you're viewing and focusing TTL, but might be with the M8-M9. Thus far, I've found it hard to detect if it is doing this on my M9.

CrisR · 10-04-2012

Thanks for the input Godfrey! It's nice to get some personal takes on a lens, rather than just comparing numbers.

28mm isn't really a FL i've used before, but 35mm on an M8 is one i'd love to have.

How do you feel with regards it's performance on the M9? Worth shooting at 2? Or are you always stopping it to 2.8 anyways?

cheers

slava · 10-04-2012

I have used my 28mm 2.8 biogon allmost all the time on my zeiss Ikon. The image quality is superb and you can get a nice bokeh with it to. I have nothing bad to say about this lens. Also it is small even with lenshood. I don't miss the f2... allmost all the time I shoot my biogon wind open 2.8...

-Slava

Godfrey · 10-04-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrisR

..
28mm isn't really a FL i've used before, but 35mm FOV on an M8 is one i'd love to have.

How do you feel with regards it's performance on the M9? Worth shooting at 2? Or are you always stopping it to 2.8 anyways?

As I said, it's not my favorite FoV on FF cameras, but I've used it a couple of times on the M9. It produces a bit of corner light falloff wide open, which cleans up a lot by f/2.8 and is gone entirely by f/4 to my casual inspection. I like the effect, actually. Youll see less of that on the M8. Color shifting seems minimal to nonexistent, in contrast to the Color Skopar 28/3.5 (compact design really does put the primary nodal point too close for the M9 without using CornerFix).

Beyond that I'd need to do a bit more shooting with it to make a credible evaluation.

CrisR · 10-04-2012

Thank you very much Godfrey and Slava!

kram · 10-08-2012

Also the ZM 28mm focuses down to 50cm, not 70cm like the Ultron, which is nice.

back alley · 10-08-2012

never used the ultron but had the zm 28 for awhile...it's a great lens...sharp and contrasty and much better than it's detractors claim.

mfogiel · 10-08-2012

Iìve had the Biogon, Ultron f2.0, Ultron f1.9, Elmarit ASPH and Summicron ASPH.
If you are using a cropped sensor, the Biogon will serve you right, because it is similar in sharpness and microcontrast to the Planar, and the only weakness it has ( beyond not being faster), is field curvature, which is evident especially at the edges of the frame.
Of the other lenses, I liked the Ultron f2.0 the least, because of focus shift, and in the end I have kept the Ultron f 1.9 and the Summicron. The Elmarit ASPH is a very good lens too, but it is VERY contrasty (while the microcontrast is lower than Biogon's), and I din not like too much it's bokeh.

CrisR · 10-08-2012

Thanks Mfogiel, I think you're right!

I've had a play and test on my M8 with both lenses and the Ultron just isn't sharp enough for me since getting hooked on the planar. I was chatting to the chap and he recommended I consider the 25mm Biogon for sharpness, but didn't have one in stock so I'll be popping back.

back alley · 10-08-2012

the zm 25 is a gem...maybe the sharpest lens i have ever used.

mfogiel · 10-08-2012

Biogon 25 is a reference lens in its category, but I would just try it alongside the 28 mm to see how you feel the field of view. At these levels, sharpness does not matter, you will not be printing wall size anyway.

Shab · 10-08-2012

When I read comments about Biogon T* 2.8/28 and read it isn't so good (looking at its graphics) I can not understand it. I enjoy a lot this lens. Some examples:

Zeiss Ikon ZM + Fuji Superia 200:

Voigtlander R4M + Argenti Pan-X (APX100):

Zeiss Ikon + Kodak P3200 T-MAX

Zeiss Ikon + Fuji Neopan 100

I LOVE this lens... (like all lenses I have from Zeiss :-) ).

back alley · 10-08-2012

zm 28...

CrisR · 10-10-2012

Shab, Back Alley, truly wonderful photos indeed and excellent examples of the sort of image qualities i've been hoping for! Clearly, whether i end up with the 28 or 25 Biogon, i'm in for a veritable treat! Thank you! I think i'm sold over the Ultron

ChrisC · 10-15-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrisR

....... whether i end up with the 28 or 25 Biogon, i'm in for a veritable treat........

Before making a decision based on focal length choices, I recommend you give serious consideration to the practical side of picture construction using your camera's viewfinder framelines.

I used to work with a 24mm Elmarit on the M8, with the 24mm framelines every picture constructed was done so with the distracting interference of a [twinned]' 35mm frameline plonked in the middle of my viewfinder. Others might tell you that the 'twin's' frameline isn't a distraction, I say it is. The 28mm frameline has a less distracting viewfinder experience, and because of that I suggest it is a much better user experience with [particularly] the M8. I now use 28mm in preference to 24/25.

................. Chris