One Year Later - Voigtländer Ultron 35mm F2 ASPH (Type I & II)

[@rashikgmc9141]

Man, I wish all other tech reviews would have been like this! You talked about the lens with such personal perspective or characteristics that it was very relatable and enjoyable to watch.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Thank you Rashik!! Very happy to hear that. I always try to deliver something honest and based on personal experience.

[@screentools]

Great job, on the thorough analysis of the Voigtländer Ultron 35mm F2 lens ! Your insights into the lenss features and its compatibility with both Leica and Fuji cameras were really helpful to me. I especially found your explanation, about the focus tab and how it enhances handling informative. The personal photos you included at the end did a job of showcasing the lenss capabilities.

[@UlyssesAokiPhoto]

I totally forgot it was me shooting this video until I made a stupid dad joke

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Haha :D

[@mwales2112]

I'm a very new Leica shooter with an M240 with a 35mm 1.4 MC II lens and very happy with this combo. I also added a 21mm f4 Color-Skopar and love the size of both these lenses.. Thanks Samuel and Alex...

[@homecareful]

I shoot Fujifilm but, used to shoot Nikon and Canon. But, I'm interested in everything that shoots stills (not a movie guy). It doesn't matter what camera line you are discussing, I am enjoying your content and I feel that I am learning something. By far the most important element that keeps me coming back is you. You are straightforward and honest in everythijng you present. Recently you have added two of your friends, and your choice in Tontos is great too, Kemosabe. I think they are a fantastic addition. Keep it going man. You will get worn out, everyone does, but keep it going. You are a natual.

[@MamboFerido]

I’ve had the nokton before but then my wife gifted me with a zeiss biogon. The difference is very noticeable. BUT nokton is still a very good lens and the best bang for the buck M lens.

[@pinmag]

Same here, such a big difference

[@maciejpietowski3050]

Is the Zeiss any good? I've been thinking about getting one.

[@MamboFerido]

@@maciejpietowski3050 great lens.

[@Ostblockjunge]

Very nice Video about the Voigtländer Ultron 35mm F2 ASPH, love the pictures at the end!!

[@dereklee4178]

I brought this one,too. Totally satisfied. No complain.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Niiiice! Enjoy!

[@ivunchow]

Always enjoy your reviews. As an owner of this lens, I totally agree with the things you mentioned, it’s nice!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Thanks Ivan! :) I remember seeing your M-D low light video and nodding in agreement everytime I saw that Ultron look haha.

[@EdwardConde]

I have the 35 f2.5 Skopar but been looking at the 35 ultron to replace it… looking forward to your thoughts a year after use.

[@LucyS565]

Thanks so much for the heads up! I just ordered the focusing tab! Great information!

[@benjhaisch]

Here I am, Friday night in a hotel room watching this video again 😂

[@jonathangonza]

These images just look amazing!

[@benjhaisch]

Still wanting to pick one up. Great review and samples, dude!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Thanks my man! Looking forward to an original Haisch review of this lens some day :)

[@steefen]

So many nice photos.. (and videos lately)

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Immer wieder gerne :) Thanks man!

[@photomorti]

A new samuel video hell yeah :D Ive missed these so much

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Hehe yeah I skipped a week! :)

[@Zetaphotography]

was there a bad copy. Did you try th v2 again?

[@moodyrcf]

i have the 28 f2, 40 1.4 and 75 1.8 really like this lenses on my pro 2 and r-d1s. sometimes i prefer it compared to my fuji lens.

[@kalenderquantentunnel9411]

This review gives a very good impression of what to expect from this lens. I own it but not long enough to really get an impression of its character, and the examples in this video are a nice reference.

[@mt-funk-net5927]

Oh man! You got me buy this lens and the 3D printer made focusing knob in last month!! Love this lens very much on my M240😁📷

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Haha nice! Yeah it is a great lens for the 240/262!

[@taneltinnuri8985]

I did not like too much of the look of the 1st version but very good optics! Voigtländer is on fire!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Indeed!

[@yuyangluo4995]

Just curious, have you tried another Type I? Or are you sticking with Type I for now? Currently deciding between the 2 versions, thank you!

[@jarrettkow5370]

Hey! What's the black rope strap you're using in this video?

[@AlexOnStreets]

I was so convinced by the Ultron I now own the version 2 of this lens! So boom! It's a winner. But I still have my Nokton.. Why? Because the Nokton simply has different characteristics that I think make it still worth owning both. I want to actually also make a video comparing these two lenses more because I do love the nerdy stuff like this. So anyways..lovely photos Sam! Really liked the places you went with it all in just one year.

[@AlexOnStreets]

btw the Ultron v2 does take some initial working-in of the focus ring so it becomes smoother. I think it has something to do with the brass construction and the lube oils needing to spread around the hidden zones. Once the lube is spread around you can really work it quickly. Don't go too quick though! It's the first time. And do put a hood on it. We don't want any mistakes we can't undo.

[@MarcWynter]

I had the v1 Nokton earlier. Definitely a different rendering than the Ultron. The Ultron is a bit more modern looking with a lot better sharpness and contrast at wider apertures. The Nokton has that “glowy” soft look wide open or close to it but stopped down it’s great. Different lenses and different looks but both great options for the $$$

[@howardko]

I just got the v2 ultron earlier this week. Then I watched the video and was like, damn Alex has a Nokton! Gotta try that. Then come to the comments and Alex is like “i just got an Ultron”. Lol. I noticed the stiffer focusing as well on my digital M. But on my MP it is super smooth. I also noticed the extra stiffness around the 0.7m range, and thought maybe that was by design so you can tell when you hit the rangefinder mfd, and prevents you from focusing to 0.58m. 🤷🏻‍♂️ It is getting smoother the more I use it though.

[@daryljohnson9010]

I have the V.1 Nokton Classic for that 1960’s-1980’s photojournalism look and a 35 Cron ASPH for everything else. The Cron is so good it got rid of its soul whereas the Nokton with its softer, glowier look at wider apertures and wonky bokeh has buckets of character. The 2/35 Ultron fascinates me though with rendering a bit like the Leica 50mm Summitar.

[@reyrey5250]

@@AlexOnStreets hey Alex, so if you could only have one would you choose the Ultron V2 over the Nokton?

[@FotoPirata]

7:16 *That's what she said XD I almost bought the Nokton for my M6 but a Summicron non ASPH V.4 appeared and I couldn't say no. I'm still curious about the Nokton, and modern Voigtländer glass is way sharper than vintage Leica lenses; but in bnw, when the sun hits just right, the V.4 is pure magic, you should try it some time if you have the chance.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Is that the King of Bokeh Summicron? I would love to try one out but it hard to come across them. On film it is probably a fantastic lens. On digital I found the Nokton too soft for example but the Ultron had good sharpness on digital.

[@FotoPirata]

@@SamuelStreetlife Yes, it's the King of Bokeh (misleading name). I think the Nokton might be sharper than the KoB at larger apertures, but the Leica has virtually 0 distorsion and from what I've read it's better with color. I went for it because it has the right amount of character without being distracting (for me at least). If you ever come to Peru I'll let you borrow mine ;)

[@herobear]

I really liked this camera, with a lens, thanks for the accessible review! thanks for all Samuel. Voigtländer Ultron 35mm F2 ASPH (Type I & II) 📯

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Thank you for watching & commenting :)

[@herobear]

@@SamuelStreetlife always please thank you for the good content

[@amitsh71]

Keenly looking forward to this video, I have NOKTON 35mm (single coated) and I love it. Let's see your views of Ultron. I have my reminder ON.

[@VariTimo]

This is probably my favorite lens to use. And I have some really nice lenses, including a set of Veydra Mini Primes. I first had the 35mm f1.4 Nokton Classic but was really disappointed with the utter lack of sharpness. I’m not a sharpness guy. I’m not a modern lyns, Sigma kinda guy. But I also don’t want me lenses to feel low fi. I like older lenses, that were amazing at the time and the Ultron fits right in. It’s really nice and sharp, has nice 3D pop but without looking clinical or overly sharp like the Sigmas. It still has character without that ever getting in the way and the color reproduction of all these modern Voigtländer lenses is up there with the Leicas. It’s that good! But the main reason I love it is that it’s just the most fun to use. I have the version 1 with the screw and I’m just enjoying the hell out of this lens in use. Aperture is confident and the focus as smooth as you’d ever need it to be. And while I don’t really care about what my gear looks like. Because, you know I’m busy actually taking pictures with my gear not taking pictures of my gear. This lens is stunning. Both on my Leica M5, which is my daily driver and that pesky M6 I’ve been having to use since August.

[@abrooklyngirllinda]

super good video and great shots at the end!! definitely will consider this lens!!

[@ayahtiiv]

Just got this lens after watch this vid and order focus tab already , thanks :)

[@JJ_Photo]

It is a great lens. Somehow it looks like that setup made you very creative. Your images in this video has a personal feel and touch. I guess that is what the M system can do to you...

[@para39gt]

what is the location in the background in osaka? It is beautiful

[@stephanpaier9887]

Hallo Samuel! Hat das Ultron einen Fokus-Shift wie das Nokton, Version 1? Das musste ich genau deshalb zurückschicken, unbrauchbar :-( Der kurze Arrest bei 0,7m bei Version 2 ist übrigens absichtlich, weil viele Rangefinder nur bis 0,7m funktionieren… Lg, Stephan

[@chrisli6525]

Why didn't you get another Ultron v2? Sounds like you may have had a bad copy?

[@ameyadchule]

What hood are you using on the lens? Where can i get that!

[@rotorfpv4117]

Can I use it on fuji x ? APSC? Ok, I see, xe4, but the quality will be the same like on FF ?

[@Boygenius81]

Using the LH-12 Hood on the 35 Ultron does it obstruct the viewfinder in anyway?

[@snoogly]

Why didn’t you adapt this lens to your new Nikon ZF?

[@detectivejonesw]

Samuel, would you make a video on your thoughts comparing the leica m system to the sl system

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Hm I don't have an SL anymore but I think I can talk about it in a future video. I will think about something :) But I also can only talk about the SL from the perspective of someone who adapted M lenses on it. So I have never experienced the full potential of the SL :)

[@chloescanlon1107]

@@SamuelStreetlife Why did you get rid of it?

[@sebvz89]

Great video men! Im glad to see photos made with the CLE ✨ i like the colors of the lens, that "vintage look" is awesome!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Glad you liked it Sebastian :D

[@Renzsu]

I've never been a fan of the 1.4 Nokton. Yes, it's a 1.4 fast and compact lens, but the way it draws oof backgrounds is so distracting. I always preferred the 1.2 and put up with its size (which is actually quite comfortable in handling if you don't have tiny hands), because it just renders so dreamy. I'm now tempted to try the f/2 though, for street photography at least (where you mostly shoot at f/5.6 and higher apertures). Yes, the bokeh might be less intense, but it's character reminds me of the f/1.2 more than the f/1.4 and now we can have nice bokeh, sharpness AND a small size. Pretty hard to beat such a package :)

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Yes I totally agree. Never liked the nokton look. But thankfully they are more than enough options :)

[@Renzsu]

@@SamuelStreetlife I actually went a different direction to my first comment and I got the 35mm f/2.5 Color-Skopar, and used the money I saved to also get the 21mm f/4 Color-Skopar. The 35 is tiny, is plenty sharp, very little chromatic abberation and has nice colors. Bokeh from strong lights in the background can be a tiny bit busy, but otherwise it's very nice and smooth. For street photography, I think it will be great (and it has the nice focusing tab ;) ).

[@christophercaballero9473]

What’s that lens hood on it?

[@Traveljournalist]

great vlog ! good work as always !

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Thank you man!

[@maksmara]

Great content, thanks folks! Wonder how it compares against CV 35mm f/1.7? And also, any plans doing similar video on 28mm lenses?

[@benficaM8888]

apart from the improved focusing tab, is the lens characteristic changed?

[@noephoto85]

your humor is going up to the sky...like the Camera's do you use 😜🙏🏼

[@panoslykidis2172]

Very curious about your comment that you would not recommend this lens for a cropped lens. I was thinking of getting it for my Leica CL to get a quasi 50mm feel as I could then also use it on my M6 TTL as a pure 35mm. Not a good idea? If no, anybody have a 35mm lens that would be ideal for a cropped lens Leica CL?

[@ofeykalakar1]

18mm Elmarit is tiny and sharp and autofocus. Slapping an M mount lens like a 28 mm f2 ultron on the CL digital will require the L-M adapter, which costs as much as the ultron

[@davidgatchalian885]

Hi Samuel, wondering if you have had experience with the Ultron on a Fuji body like the XE-4? Btw like your videos and very nonchalant personality that I find very approachable. Thanks

[@JK_bnw]

it would be great to see deeper comparison between 35f2 and 35f1.4 voigtlander. Thanks for sharing this video 👍

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Maybe Alex can do that in a future video because he has both now! But I think my sample images tell you everything you need to know to see the differences. The Nokton has a soft glow wide open and is less sharp. The Ultron has no glow and remains better contrast and is sharper overall. Stopped down both lenses should be the same. Bokeh is smoother and softer with the Ultron. The Nokton has harsh bokeh and flares a lot (some people like that for portraits).

[@maciejpietowski3050]

Hi Sam, how would you compare this lens to the Zeiss 35mm 2.8? How was the experience of using the Ultron on the X-E4 - I'm thinking about getting one but not sure how it'd work on Fuji?

[@SamuelStreetlife]

I have never used a Zeiss 35mm before. The experience of using the Ultron on the X-E4 is good! The Viewfinder is not the best but you can still confidently manual focus with focus peaking. But the Ultron doesn't show all of its character on a crop sensor. So I prefer using it on a full frame camera.

[@HotzenplotzTV]

…dieser Focus Tab ist schon eine prima Idee. Muss ich unbedingt mal ausprobieren. Danke für deinen Beitrag! 🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Beste Grüße aus Hamburg ⚓️ Jens 🤓👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Freut mich das es dir gefallen hat :) Grüße zurück!

[@vitthavasniponkit4513]

try color voigt skopar 35mm f2.5 👍

[@SamuelStreetlife]

I have a few friends who use the skopar. But haven't had a chance to try one out.

[@dinodemopoulos3336]

Nice shots Samuel! Do you use the Classic or TTL M6? So torn on which to get. But definitely picking up this Ultron, love how it looks and the results look awesome.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Hey Dino. I don't own any M6! What you saw in this video was a Leica M Typ 262 :) I always lusted after a TTL M6 though. But decided I will not invest in film anymore. The Ultron is great on film though!

[@dinodemopoulos3336]

@@SamuelStreetlife Thank you Samuel!

[@downtofun]

Hey, love the video, really keen to pick one o these up. I'm sure someone's already asked but I didn't see it anywhere - which lens hood is this?

[@downtofun]

Just kidding, it's a LH-12, right? Damn that thing is a lot of money!

[@jaegerschtulmann]

Hi Samuel, unfortunately I can't afford a Leica so I shoot the poorman's version; the fuji xpro3 & an xt5. What lens from Voigtlander's vm mount would you recommend to adapt to fuji, (factoring crop It would be nice to have a 35mm equivalent but Voigtlander makes so many different variations it's always confusing to know which ones are great) Thanks for your content and greetings from Bangkok!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Hey man! I am sorry but I don’t have any experience with the voigtländer lenses for Fuji x mount. A 35mm equiv would be a 23mm. With voigtländer lenses you have three (I think) different types of lenses. Classic lenses (nokton, vintage character, not super sharp), Ultron (modern sharpness with a little bit of character) and APO lenses (very modern, sharp and well corrected). I personally always loved the Ultron lenses because they have a great look that feels a bit vintage but still smooth and very sharp like a modern lens. Hope that helps!

[@dansomerville]

Another option - 7artisans makes really good adhesive focus tabs. I’ve had some installed for a few years even and they have never come off. Even have them on some Leica lenses *gasp. Anyways, you could unscrew the finger tab and put one over the hole too. They are like 10 bucks. The shape is also much more like the Summarit you showed, I prefer the shape of them to a lot of the more rounded native ones on lenses I have

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Yeah I wanted to try that but other Ultron users said the 7Artisans Tab is too wide for the Ultron.

[@BenjaminJudelson]

I use the 7artisans tab on my ultron. It’s too wide to fit in the gap but there’s a sort of step on the back that fits perfectly and the remainder overlaps the ridged focus ring. Works really well!! I don’t think this lens has left my m10 in the past 6 months

[@kenmonahan9924]

The Etsy focus tab guy charging £57 including tax postage for a uk purchase……think I will try the 7Artisans route thanks for the tip!

[@bynajmniej1]

What hood do you have?

[@mrdasboot45]

How does it compare to the Carl Zeiss biogon-c 35 f2.8 ? That is my favorite 35mm

[@SamuelStreetlife]

I have never tried the Zeiss Biogon so I cannot tell. But the Biogon will be much more clean and modern looking. The Ultron is from a vintage line so it has a vintage look that the Zeiss Lenses usually don't have.

[@marcooilman8360]

Do you tried the ultron on a m6 as well? Because the minimal focus distance is lower than 0.7m and I've heard this is a small issue in dayly situations. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts about this topic

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Not on an M6 but every Leica M has a minimum distance of 0.7m with the focus patch so I have the same issue on my 262 but I didn't find it to be a problem. Whenever I focus closer than 0.7m on my 262 the focus patch will just stop moving so I always check the focus patch and then move my body to adjust focus. It works great. The only thing that can be annoying is when you are used to putting the lens to its close focus limit without looking down on the lens. With the Ultron you have to look at the distance scale.

[@ohstanley3058]

Great video! And thank you for using other music than Lofi hip hop!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

I feel you and you are welcome :D

[@solomonessix6909]

If the Norton is stopped down to f2 is the Ultron still sharper?

[@ofeykalakar1]

Ultron, Yes edge to edge and zero focus shift.

[@IDaumI]

I like the Nokton. Name me a 35mm 1.4 Leica lens that is the same size and weight with modern coatings...

[@vichethm5763]

I like these Easter eggs. One person caught it. The Nokton was the first lens I got for my M6 and yes it was because I couldn't afford leica =)

[@SamuelStreetlife]

And see what you can afford now :D Every story begins with a voigtländer lol.

[@vichethm5763]

That sounds like it should be their slogan hahaha.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

@@vichethm5763 Cosina Voigtländer should steal that haha

[@karma13612]

Liked and subscribed! Great videos, great sound and love your photos. Keep up the streetlife, just be careful out there!!

[@herobear]

Double Like

[@tfylhk]

I heard this lens is shaper than summicron asph, is this true?

[@bora8254]

It is true as you can find a comparison test between this and the summicron asph. Check the review of Jack Takahashi on Google for this lens, it has the comparison.

[@izak001]

I have 40/1.2 - WOW ... but this Ultron is look like APO-LANTAR - that have zero cromatic aberation, ultron 35/f2 is closer - and this is reason why is soo sharp ... apo-lantar is not possible make lighter that F2 ... is nor possible make some like 1.x ... - this line have RGB line like logo of 3 line - this is best for leica, or by reduction. But this is similar and work with IBIS - becuase have chip and electronic - unfortunately not AF ... but best optical quality in fuji-x world ;-)

[@cggg490]

Thank you for this video. Timing is perfect since I just switched to Leica from Fujifilm (sold my X-T4). I have an M6 TTL and an M9 (with replaced sensor). I only have one lens, the Summicron 35mm f2, which I have to switch on and off the two bodies so I was looking for another lens. The Ultron 35mm f2 (type I) seems to be the perfect fit for my needs based on all your comments about it. I believe the Zeiss lens are nice alternative to Leica lenses too but they don't have as much character as the Voigtländer lenses; not really interested in Artisan lenses. You describe the Summicron as "boring", which I kind of agree with. Still plan to hold onto it for a bit; I can always sell it. I plan to use the Voigtländer 35mm on my M9. I like your shots on the M262. I never really understood the differences between M240 and M262 so I settled on the M9. (oh, you also convinced me on the Ricoh, got a GR2 recently which I use for day to day things when I want to travel light). Danke schön!

[@maxwellwellmax878]

I almost got it because of you but then I found the 40mm Nokton 1.2 only 100 dollars more so i went 40 instead lol.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Cool!! I heard it is a great lens. How do you like it? :)

[@maxwellwellmax878]

@@SamuelStreetlife I just got it last night so I havent finished a roll yet, im crossing my fingers its as good as advertised.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

@@maxwellwellmax878 Ohh exciting! Hope it will turn out great! :D

[@maxwellwellmax878]

@@SamuelStreetlife Thank you Samuel! look forward to another of your exciting adventures! by the way if you want to borrow the Nokton let me know.

[@KwyjiboVanDeKamp]

"That's what she said." 🤣🤣🤣 That one came so unexpected!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

I lost count on how many times we said that in past videos haha. But sometimes it is just too good not to do it...

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Great review of the lens. I would have liked to have seen this video when I was about to make my purchase decision. But now I have bought the nokton a year ago.😅

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Haha. The great thing with lenses is that they keep their value and you can always sell them to get another one :D But the Nokton isn't bad. Just different.

[@mb-watches]

Osaka is beautiful, would not complain if you would milk that cow a lil but further 😂 Love those experience reviews, pics look gorgeous and it really is a fun lens. I am more into video but those vids make me want to try out a bit more of street photography... Keep up the good work and cheers from Germany 🙏🏻

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Good thing there are still videos from Osaka coming out soon :) And the Ultron should also be an interesting lens for video! I have never tried using it on full frame for video but the close focus distance would probably annoy me (even though it is shorter than leica M lenses).

[@mb-watches]

@@SamuelStreetlife will check it out, I do shoot apsc as it’s more Studio and Production vids, might check it out though. Really looking forward to further Osaka vids even though I am afraid you give me ideas buying a Leica or something else … keep them coming and have a great Sunday 🙏🏻

[@kevinchen2856]

6:35 oh hi Mark lmao

[@ericthestone]

@2:09...that purple CA looks pretty bad.

[@TKim103]

Did the wife get a Leica Q?

[@SamuelStreetlife]

It's not hers... :D

[@jjordii71]

Best moment: "That's what she said!" :DDDD

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

can you make a video like this where you talk about girls?

[@maximerica]

Hahah same I bought the new version thanks to you basically. A bit of vignetting at f2 otherwise it’s amazing.

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Yes the vignetting is a little annoying but easy to correct with the lens profile in lightroom!