Zeiss Ultron 1.8/50-Photo Heavy

[newst]

OK, I will admit it, I let my GAS get away from me. I have been Jonesing after an Ultron for some time so I sold off a bunch of lenses and used the proceeds to get this lens. You won't find these cheap on Ebay, the Icarex mount lenses start around $400 and the M42 mount lenses go for up to three times that.

Having scored an Icarex lens ($450 and free shipping from a US source) I immediately ordered a Kipon Icarex-NEX adapter. I have been pleased with the quality of the other Kipon adapters I had bought and there are a limited number of sources for one of these. When it arrived I learned that it would not work with a Sony A7II. I can't blame Kipon, it fits on my A6000 with no problems. It is the A7II mount. I have other adapters that work on my other NEX cameras but won't mount on the A7II and other A7II owners are writing about this same issue in Sony forums.

Meanwhile, I am emailing other mount manufacturers to ask if they can confirm the mount will work on an A7II but I haven't received any replies yet. So I bit the bullet, mounted the Ultron on my A6K, and went out to take some pictures.

All of these are OOC jpgs.












Steve

[radissimo77]

I guess you talking about the one with concave front element.

What I like about this lens is that contrast (big enemy of mine) is not too high, not too "Zeissy", I guess lack of T* coating is to "blame" for this behaviour. [don't get me wrong I admire T* coating when shooting in difficult, flare-prone conditions).

First 2 pictures showing that nicely and thet is why this lens is fairly unique, no just due to construction, but mainly due performace-sharp, not too contrasty, unique bokeh.

Unfortunately hoods are difficult to get and you can forget about the usual filters.

p.s. I did not realise that prices are so high! (As I bought my M42 version about 3 years ago)

[newst]

Yes, this is the second edition Ultron with a concave front element. I like how it works on the APS-C sensor but I really want to use it on a full fame camera. My search for a correct adapter continues.

I know what you mean about a lens hood. I don't know what I am going to do for that. I am just lucky it came with the original front lens cap.

Steve

[radissimo77]

what is the problem with an adapter anyways? sony E-mount should be the same on both cameras.

Here are my Ultron zeiss concave 50/1.8 shots from year ago-hope you don't mind.
all SOOC (no PP)
cheers,
rado


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[newst]

Of course I don't mind if you post photographs. Who knows, there might be other Ultron owners out there who could join us.

I suspect the problem is with the A7II mount redesign. All NEX cameras and most of the A7s have a two part mounting plate, one part is metal and the other plastic. The A7II has a single metal plate. On the earlier cameras if an adapter was tight there was enough give in the plastic for it to fit.

The Icarex adapter fits into the mount but will only rotate a small distance before it requires more force than I am willing to apply. The 'slot' does not reach the locking pin and the adapter is stuck at an angle to the focal plane. Not good.

Steve

[radissimo77]

Oh I see,
I think I had problem with one of my adapters (MD) on my A7s.

As I shoot my manual lenses always on A7 I was not too upset about it
I hope you will find some quick solution.
Cheers,
Rado

[newst]

Yes. I think the A7S also has the all metal mount plate.

I'll keep checking with adapter manufacturers to find one that will confirm that their adapter will fit on an A7II. Until then I still have an A6000 to use it with.

Steve

[calvin83]

You can by a Icarex 35 -> to EF adapter...
Click here to see on Ebay

[newst]

[bernhardas]

Edited

[kds315*]

It is a wonderful lens, sharp and high contrast + microcontrast. I like it a lot and my results on my Panasonic were excellent.
Honestly I#m not so impressed what I saw here so far...

Here a link to my album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/sets/72157632970595464/

[newst]

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