Pentax Lim. 43/1.9 vs. Voigtlander Ultron 40/2 - which one?

no-X

According to reviews they are different, but none of them is better in general:

Pentax seems to be better for bokeh shots and Voightlander for landscapes (lower-CA)...

Any real-world experience with these lenses?

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

I only have seen the Pentax "in use" and this is a fantastic lens, really!
But then, the Ultron surely is a great lens as well.

Oh well, I guess I'm of no help here. Wink

BTW, they say that the 1.8/31 LE is even better than the 43mm...

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4045 Location: Netherlands

Carsten, there's no doubt at all that the 31mm Limited is better than the 43mm. I have read quite mixed reviews on the 43. Some like the lens to death, while others hate it. I think the 43 performs less well on APS-C, bokeh wise, than on full frame. After all, the 43mm was designed with the diagonal of the 24x36mm frame in mind (which is indeed 43mm).

Having said that: I don't have the lens but I do have the FA77 Limited, and I love it to death. Smile

indianadinos · Expire: 2011-12-05

Hi,

I don't have the Ultron, but i currently use my FA-43 Limited (well, when not using the 50/1.4) and it is worth every cent you spent on it, in terms of sharpness and color rendering (never tested, up to now, for bokeh and CA).

Nevertheless, the reputation of Voigtlander is a kind of warranty for the Ultron ...

I would say, if you can, to go to your preferred shop and test both lenses ...

Sorry, cannot help more than this ...

Cheers

P.S.: I can confirm, too, that the FA-31 is far better than other 35mm i have used (Flek 35/2.4 and 2.8, SMC 35/2 ...). The only issue i have with it is that its hood may become quickly useless ...

no-X · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks...

So, I should try Pentax Lim. 31/1.8, Lim. 40/2.8 and Voigtlander 40/2... Laughing

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4045 Location: Netherlands

womble · Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 987 Location: Hertfordshire

I have the FA 43mm Ltd but I must admit I don't use it that much on my K20D. I expected it to blow me away but I have never fallen in love with it in the way I have with my S-M-C Tak 28mm! Partly it seems a funny focal length on an APS-C sensor: too long to be a "normal" lens, too short to be a telephoto. I ought to use it on my LX with a roll of slide film and see if that works better for me.

K.

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

I love mine and use it on both film and digital. It does stone really well, which is a sign that the lens is capable of retaining subtle tone and detail.

About the only thing I'd change is to have it focus even 6" closer; Pentax as a rule doesn't seem to be keen on close focusing primes. For my needs, if the Voigtlander gets to a bigger magnification, I might opt for it. In another parallel universe that is, where I didn't already own the 43 Smile

no-X · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:04 am Post subject:

thePiRaTE!! · Joined: 31 Oct 2008 Posts: 416 Location: Canada

And how the rabbit hole goes - Jiri, if you did consider the 31 - then it would be competing against the Distagons. FWIW, I've owned the FA 31 and T*25/2.8 at the same time and now have the T*35/1.4. If your plans ever include the 31, I can show you some tests I had done a couple of years ago.

K.