I am curious if anyone has compared these two lenses. The Ultron has been out for some time and is smaller and lighter but not as fast.. Would be love to hear or see some examples on a Leica RF.
I used to have 21/1.8 Ultron in VM mount and currently have 21/1.4 Nokton in FE mount and used them on Sony A7R2/A7R4A cameras.
21/1.4 Nokton was a much better lens.Sharpness across ths frame is good right from 1.4,from the center to farthest,whereas farther borders and corners of Ultron 21/1.8 were soft,no matter f stop.
So I have the 21/1.4 NOkton on the Sony mount and the Ultron on the M mount. I think I had read from Fred somewhere that the Nokton Sony mount was much better than using the M mount with an adapter. That is why I was wondering on the M mount if a direct comparison. My Ultron does pretty good and not sure if the Nokton would do even better.
not sure about the ultron but the 21 1.4 Nokton is one of my favorite lens on m system. sharp and beautiful rendering. also one of the best feeling focus ring helicoid (feels like the newer leica almost)
I would not listen to anyone who was using the M version of the 21/1.8 on a Sony camera and then switched to a Sony optimized version of the 1.4. It's pretty obvious which one is going to be better in that situation.
If you're using an actual Leica, especially film, they're both great! The 1.4 is newer, a stop faster, and probably a bit better. But also bigger, and the 1.8 is not small. I use the 1.8 and it's sharp corner to corner on film. Fantastic lens overall. I really love mine. Given the size of the 1.4, I am happy with my choice. TBH, I would have been happy with the Skopar 3.5 too which is tiny! But I found a deal on a 1.8.
I have no experience with the f/1.4 version but using for years now the CV 21/1.8 in M-mount both on my Sony A7R with adapter and on my Leica M cameras both for film and digital. The lens causes some slight pink coloration in the corners of the photo frame when attached to the A7R which can easily be removed via PP. No issues at all on my Leica M cameras. I like its 58 mm lens diameter which is ideal to use for standard lens filters (ND, polarizer etc).
Biggest con for me with the CV 21/1.8 is its fixed hood. It does not allow to use step-up rings for larger filters or graduated ND filters. The lens copy I got is also very sensitive with its black paint - it easily scratches and shows metal underneath for example by often moving the focus ring. I read this was a common issue with a bit older Cosina-made M lenses (my CV 35/1.2 II has the same issue).
Optically the CV 21/1.8 is excellent. There were situations where I used it wide open but most often I use it between f/4.0 and f/8.0. Biggest benefit of the f/1.4 version might be - at least for me - the attachable and non-fixed hood. But I don't like its less common filter size of 62 mm and its larger lens size.
Thanks for the comments
@speedgraphic and Retrofocus.. I agree the fixed hood on the ultron is an issue for me too. Optically I think it is good on the M11 but not as good as the Nokton (Sony mount) on my A7RIV at f1.4-2.8 at the corners and edges.
In terms of filters for the M11-- because I primarily use ND filters-- I bought a couple 67mm NDs and use step up rings for my leica and VM lenses.
Never tried the Skopar..
@bastian and Ftllens. I decided to buy the Nokton and will also compare the Ultron and Nokton so look forward to your comments as well
Would someone post a coma test on actual stars with the 21/1.4 VM on a modded sensor or Leica camera? It’s actually quite hard to find this out—I am assuming the coma correction is very similar to that FE version where it’s better at f2/2.2. M-mount doesn’t have the wealth of wides E-mount does. I’d like to see how the corners hold up coma-wise. I know that vignetting is significant.
Jack Takahashi posted a smaller picture in his review, but hard to tell from that size.
