Fred Miranda wrote:
There is some "induced" FC when using this lens on the stock thicker Sony sensor but honestly it is not very noticeable. The area you focus on will still be sharp even if it’s off-center. I use the Voigtlander 90mm f/2 APO-Ultron on the A7CR and my camera is thin-sensor modded. You are right it works well with the AF adapter since it is much lighter than the Leica version.
yes, the thin-sensor modification. I would really like to have one my Sony bodies modded, but I'm not aware of anyone in Europe able to do that, because frankly, going through the hassle of sending my camera to the USA (Kolari) and back with huge shipping costs and import duties etc. - no, thanks.
I noticed the same nice landscapes taken by you using the APO-Skopar 90/2.8 lens. How would you compare the two lenses from an ergonomic point of view? Does the APO-Skopar feel much more smaller and lighter than the APO-Ultron? Do you have a favourite out of these two?
I am debating to buy one of those. Still, I had one APO-Ultron that I had to sent it back as it was back focusing. And I was not really happy with its size, for the M-system. But I also read that the APO-Skopar might come with focusing (accuracy) issues on RF cameras....
I noticed the same nice landscapes taken by you using the APO-Skopar 90/2.8 lens. How would you compare the two lenses from an ergonomic point of view? Does the APO-Skopar feel much more smaller and lighter than the APO-Ultron? Do you have a favourite out of these two?
I am debating to buy one of those. Still, I had one APO-Ultron that I had to sent it back as it was back focusing. And I was not really happy with its size, for the M-system. But I also read that the APO-Skopar might come with focusing (accuracy) issues on RF cameras.......Show more →
The APO-Skopar is lighter, yes, but not much smaller. The f/2.8 version is a bit thinner, but the f/2 APO-Ultron is almost the same length...only about 2 or 3mm longer, if I remember right. In terms of IQ, I'd go with the Ultron.
Jul 15, 2025 at 01:33 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Fred Miranda wrote:
The APO-Skopar is lighter, yes, but not much smaller. The f/2.8 version is a bit thinner, but the f/2 APO-Ultron is almost the same length...only about 2 or 3mm longer, if I remember right. In terms of IQ, I'd go with the Ultron.
The specs are the 90 f/2.8 APO Skopar is 53.0mm in diameter, 60mm long, and weighs 250g (when you weighed it Fred, you got 241g)
The 90 f/2 APO Ultron is 61.9mm in diameter, 63.3mm long, and weighs 340g (when you weighed it Fred, you go 339g)
So the 90 f/2 is almost 9mm wider in diameter and almost 100g heavier, but only 3.3mm longer. The 90 f/2 doesn't really block the rangefinder at all, however. So to some these differences will matter, I suspect, but to some they will not.
Steve Spencer wrote:
The specs are the 90 f/2.8 APO Skopar is 53.0mm in diameter, 60mm long, and weighs 250g (when you weighed it Fred, you got 241g)
The 90 f/2 APO Ultron is 61.9mm in diameter, 63.3mm long, and weighs 340g (when you weighed it Fred, you go 339g)
So the 90 f/2 is almost 9mm wider in diameter and almost 100g heavier, but only 3.3mm longer. The 90 f/2 doesn't really block the rangefinder at all, however. So to some these differences will matter, I suspect, but to some they will not.
That's what I said, right? I mentioned the Skopar was thinner and lighter, but the length is pretty much the same...just 2 or 3mm longer. Thanks for posting the exact dimensions and weight to clear things up!
Jul 15, 2025 at 04:02 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Fred Miranda wrote:
That's what I said, right? I mentioned the Skopar was thinner and lighter, but the length is pretty much the same...just 2 or 3mm longer. Thanks for posting the exact dimensions and weight to clear things up!
Hi Fred,
We aren't in disagreement at all. Personally, I think because the 90 f/2 APO Ultron doesn't block the frame lines for 90mm, I wouldn't be concerned about its somewhat larger size. It is a fantastic lens and worth carrying a bit larger lens to me. I can see how other people might take a different view, however. The size difference is really a pretty subjective thing. I think it is fair to say as you did that the 90 f/2.8 APO Skopar is "not much smaller." That is my view too, but I can also see how someone else might describe the 90 f/2.8 APO Skopar as substantially smaller than the 90 f/2 APO Ultron. That isn't my take on the difference but I think that too is a reasonable take, so I posted the exact specs so people could come to their own conclusions about whether that difference is not much or substantial.
Well, I find that the numbers (physical lens' dimensions, in this case), sometimes, do not tell the full story. That is why I was asking about how these lenses "feel" in hand (or in use). And this is a very subjective opinion, I think.
For me, a 50mm lens longer than the C-Sonnar (45mm) is too long, but still, I am more than happy with my 50mm Lux ASPH (52mm) because I like it very much.
So I would regard the APO-Skopar as a "longer" Summilux, since it is 60mm long (compared with 53mm). And for the APO-Ultron, I would consider it as a (much) longer 50mm Nokton (f/1.2), since they have (almost) the same diameter (and 49mm vs 63mm in lenght). But, for me, the said Nokton is a bit too big (in context of the M-system).
Nevertheless, I might skip entirely this FL and jump from 50mm straight to 135mm (I already have the Tele-Elmar 135/4).
I guess I can't help you much. I have an Apo Skopar on a Fuji XE-3 via a Novoflex adapter. The balance seems absolutely perfect to me in this combination. The slightly heavier and smaller Lanthar 50mm f3.5 is no longer pleasant. Optically, I find the Skopars a bit softer, more pleasant in image rendering than the Ultrons and Lanthars. A bit like the Fuji 50mm f1.0, but in a very compact size. I have a 28mm Skopar and Ultron, a 50mm Lanthar f3.5 and a 90mm Skopar. I am getting ready for the 50mm Skopar and I am really looking forward to it. All on Fuji. The combination of the Fuji XE-3, Novoflex adapter and Apo Skopar 90mm f2.8 lens weighs only 630g together. One day I will switch to a Leica, but for now the thing that bothers me the most is that I would lose the Cropfactor.
I had a Nikon F version of the Skopar (same lens as the M version). It was simply cheaper. I used it with a Nikon F to Leica M adapter.
The Ultron version is the same size as the Skopar with the adapter. Ultron has an f/2 aperture, which is sometimes useful for separation. I compared these lenses on my Canon R5. The Skopar was perhaps slightly better in the corners, but overall the Ultron had better resolution and contrast. As for the image and blur, the Skopar was somewhat smoother, the Ultron more brutal and sharp. But at a certain portrait distance, the Ultron separates nicely and has good bokeh for me. At longer distances, it's more distinctive than the Skopar. I sold the Skopar and kept the Ultron. The Skopar produced good images, but its drawbacks were practical. The Nikon F version had a good 52mm filter size (I use an adapter for ND and gradient filters), but the focus ring was too light and easy to adjust. The Skopar Leica M version was more expensive but had a 39mm filter – not practical for attaching a filter adapter. Now my main travel kit consists of APO 35/2, 50/2, 90/2, Ultron II 28/2, and for water and ND filters, the very good Canon EF 16-35/4L.
Fred Miranda wrote:
That's what I said, right? I mentioned the Skopar was thinner and lighter, but the length is pretty much the same...just 2 or 3mm longer. Thanks for posting the exact dimensions and weight to clear things up!
For me it is filter diameter rather than weight difference that is imporant to me if available light is good a kit anchored with a 50 mm apo cron, and a 28 and 90 voigtlander (maybe the 21 as well) is light carry all E39. I would use the 50 apo most of the time- but then the ND and CP all E39- and there is the option to add a SP2 Rigid or LLL 35 mm 8 element also E39 if I want to go there for its render. So the 90 2.8 is the option lens. If light is limiting then retumble all, and all the options for FL become 2-4X heavier more like my Nikon kits.
I've had the Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 for a few weeks now and have been enjoying it with my Leica SL2-S. Check out a few photos here, and as usual, I have a bit of a write-up on my review/travel blog:
Will be getting my first M camera soon and will have to get this one to go along with my CV 35 1.5 and 50 1.2. Thanks for the great writeup, comments, and beautiful photos all.
mfoto wrote:
I've had the Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 for a few weeks now and have been enjoying it with my Leica SL2-S. Check out a few photos here, and as usual, I have a bit of a write-up on my review/travel blog:
