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02-18-2011, 09:44 PM   #1
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Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2 vs. Pentax 40mm Ltd (and DA16-45)

Well here is the beginning of my test...SHARPNESS

Lenses involved: Ultron vs DA 40mm Limited (with the Pentax 16-45 tagging along sometimes because it can)

Tried to take your recommendations from "how to do a lens comparison???" thread that I started earlier

Conducted with no flash, tripod, shuttler release cord, with ambient incandescent lighting. 100% crops from the center.

I ran into problems with using smaller apertures, especially at f/8. DA 40 looked like a blurry mess at that aperture. I would guess camera shake, but the Ultron and 16-45 results at that aperture were much better. Shutter speeds at that aperture were 5 seconds long, which may give explanation




Last edited by dasuhu; 02-19-2011 at 09:10 AM.
02-19-2011, 07:35 AM   #2
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Very interesting, I'd like to see more.
I have the DA16-45 and Ultron.
It seems the Ultron is sharper and has more contrast than the DA40.
I sold my FA35/2.0 because I like the fov of the 40mm better.
Optically they are as good, mechanically the Ultron much better.
Since I prefer MF above AF, I chose the Ultron and not the DA40.
How come you ended up with a DA40 and a Ultron?
02-19-2011, 08:11 AM   #3
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Oops

Test has been redone...with SR turned off. See first post.


QuoteOriginally posted by freewheeler Quote
How come you ended up with a DA40 and a Ultron?
Because I found the Ultron for a very good price...and curiosity (probably from the scientist part in me) got the best of me.

I wanted to get the Ultron first, but all that talk about harsh bokeh scared me off, so I got the DA40. Now I can decide for myself.

Last edited by dasuhu; 02-19-2011 at 09:17 AM.
02-19-2011, 09:40 AM   #4
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I have done something like this test as well, but I buried the results in a pocket drive somewhere. I found the Ultron results but not the DA40. Tests are not something I look at much after I do them.

The exposure is a little off, which makes the Ultron shots look gloomy. I assume the paper was actually white? I have to use at least +1 exp. compensation to get a decently white page. Did you use AF or MF for the DA40? It is usually best to use the same focus technique on both.


Last edited by GeneV; 02-19-2011 at 09:49 AM.
02-19-2011, 09:44 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by GeneV Quote
I have done something like this test as well, but I buried the results in a pocket drive somewhere. Tests are not something I look at much after I do them.

The exposure is a little off, which makes the Ultron shots look gloomy. I assum the paper was actually white? Did you use AF or MF for the DA40? It is usually best to use the same focus technique on both.
The paper is greyish...like newspaper grey

All shots were done using MF and Liveview 10x magnification with a K7. I accidentally used Av instead of M...but I wouldn't think minute exposure modifications really change sharpness.

MF is a pain on the DA40, natural on the Ultron, and serviceable on the 16-45.
02-19-2011, 11:26 AM   #6
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I just went out an did a quick repeat, shooting a block wall. These tests quickly devolve into tests of fine focus skills for me. I don't have a body with 10x live view, so I use a right angle finder with 5x magnification. Still, at 200% crops, I can see minute differences in focus between my exposures at F2.8 and need to pick the best. I don't have time to convert the raw files right now, but for me, the nod at 2.8 went to the Ultron. That could have something to do with its brighter view and easier focus, though.
02-19-2011, 12:04 PM   #7
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I would assume that these are center of the frame images. personally, all 3 lenses performed extremely well at the center. the ones that you should look out for are along the border and corner resolution.

02-19-2011, 12:15 PM   #8
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In this field test, which I believe was run by another of our members, they come out about the same. Voigtländer Ultron 40/2.0 vs Pentax DA40 and FA43 That was my feeling as well from field shots.
02-19-2011, 12:45 PM   #9
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Top Right Corner Test

My feelings are that the Ultron is a hair sharper in the center test. Probably not that big of a deal in real life.

So this should put them to the test. How well do they perform at the extreme corner?

Taken with on-board flash. Aperture priority. 100% Crops. MF for all lenses. Extreme right corner of the frame (that's why the DA16-45 is funky...exif says it's at 40mm, but it's not )

02-19-2011, 01:03 PM   #10
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Silly question off topic: how does one get magnification in K-7s LV mode?
02-19-2011, 01:11 PM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by axl Quote
Silly question off topic: how does one get magnification in K-7s LV mode?
Click on the LiveView button, then click the "info" button to zoom in. You have to click several times to get the magnification all the way up to 10x
02-19-2011, 02:15 PM   #12
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All of them seem to be sharp and contrasty.
Distortion levels are different though.
The Ultron40 seems to be of longer focal length than the Da40.
02-19-2011, 02:34 PM   #13
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On the first set (central portion,) the exposure and color balance are so different that it is difficult to make a judgement, but I will do so nonetheless. To my eyes, the 40 Limited is sharper. On the second set (corner portion,) there is no question but that the 40 Limited is sharper. Now this may not make much of a difference in real world image rendering.

Rob
02-19-2011, 03:25 PM - 1 Like   #14
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Center Sharpness Test

Center shots done again with flash.

Shots with Ultron done at 1/180, and shots done with the Pentax lenses done at 1/100. Seems like they give fairly similar exposures. Go figure, cause I don't get it.

02-19-2011, 04:33 PM   #15
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Here's a couple of quick and dirty corner crops from some shot hand held on a walk this afternoon. I was a bit sloppy about the framing. These are from near the corner, and they seem comparable. Not real tests, but give an idea. From ACR, no sharpening. All at F2.8.

Ultron:


DA40
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