Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm f/1.8 Review

Mr. Ding might be one of the most discreet lens makers today, rarely releasing products under his own brand. Still, he’s the mind behind several lenses sold through other distributors such as Funleader and Artra. After the release of the 50mm f/1.1 (reviewed here), many expected a compact, fast 35mm lens to follow. But the project seemed to stall amid technical challenges and team management issues. Honestly, I didn’t think it would ever see the light of day, especially as Mr. Ding appeared to be shifting toward the Z-mount market.

Fast forward to now: the entire development team has been replaced, the project revived, and the long-awaited Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm f/1.8 is finally here. So, what’s it all about, and was the wait worth it?

Build and Handling

The first impression is striking: this lens looks beautiful in a minimalist, all-black painted-brass design with no chrome accents. In hand, it feels surprisingly dense, 270g, about 40g heavier than the already weighty Light Lens Lab (LLL) 35mm f/2 8-element replica. By comparison, the Voigtländer Classic Nokton 35mm f/1.4 feels almost feather-light at 200g. The Pactcron shares similar dimensions with the LLL, while the Nokton is slightly wider.

In terms of handling, the Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm lens feels a bit rougher than the others. Focusing is smooth but has a faint hint of friction, possibly because it’s still new. The aperture ring is slightly damped and offers a bit of internal resistance. None of this is problematic; it just lacks the silky refinement of the LLL and Voigtländer lenses.

On the usability side, simplicity wins: equidistant f-stops, no focus lock, 39mm filter size, everything straightforward and practical.

The Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm f/1.8 also includes a brass lens hood styled after Leica’s, which looks fantastic though adds extra weight. The overall design blends influences from lenses like the Nokton and Summicron but results in a cohesive and elegant look. Interestingly, the original Leica 12504 hood also fits, saving a bit of length and mass.

Opto-mechanically, the lens is well constructed, using aluminum and brass throughout. Rangefinder coupling is accurate and user-adjustable if needed. The optical design, a 7-element layout reminiscent of the Summicron 35mm v4, is slightly re-optimized, with a surprisingly large rear element, similar to the Nokton 35mm f/1.4. It’ll be interesting to see how this translates in terms of rendering.

Optical Performance

Now for the fun part: image quality. I’m a long-time lover of the 35mm focal length and still searching for the perfect classic (non-aspherical) lens: small, contrasty wide open, sharp from f/4–5.6, low distortion, and minimal vignetting. The LLL came close, though with heavy vignetting and a high price tag in Europe. So how does the Pactcron compare?

Wide-open sharpness from the Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm is impressive in the center but quickly falls off toward the edges. Still, contrast is strong and gives images a pleasing, punchy look. Vignetting is noticeably lower than the LLL’s, and overall brightness appears about a stop higher, though the actual difference is probably closer to ⅓ stop, suggesting a better-than-expected T-stop.

Stopped down to f/4, the lens improves significantly across the frame, with strong contrast though corners remain slightly soft. The LLL is sharper here but also darker. By f/5.6, the Pactcron 35mm matches the LLL’s exposure at f/4 and even edges it out in sharpness, without the slight midfield dip the LLL shows.

Overall, sharpness feels well balanced: crisp in the center wide open, excellent across the frame from f/5.6, and ideal for landscapes at f/8. The LLL wins slightly at large apertures (f/2–f/4), but at the cost of more vignetting and lower contrast.

For film shooters like me, distortion is equally critical. While the LLL has virtually none, the Pactcron shows about 2.3–2.5 % barrel distortion, less than the Nokton’s 3.5–3.6 %, but still enough to bend straight lines in architectural shots. Something to keep in mind.

As for rendering and bokeh: wide open, it offers a contrasty yet slightly hazy character. The bokeh is smoother and more neutral than the LLL’s. At f/2.8, the LLL looks calmer, but the Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm lens produces larger bokeh balls. By f/4, both are similar in character, though the Ding still shows slightly larger highlights. Like most classic fast 35 mm lenses, don’t expect ultra-creamy bokeh; there’s a touch of swirl and nervousness, but it’s among the better examples in this category.

All told, I genuinely enjoyed shooting with it. It delivers images I like a lot, sharp enough for street and landscape work from f/5.6 onward, and contrasty enough to give a clean, slightly modern look even wide open. A great everyday lens for travel, street, and general use.

Price and Value

At $700 USD (with hood) or around €600, the Pactcron 35mm f/1.8 offers excellent value. It’s roughly the same price as a new Nokton Classic 35 mm f/1.4 (without hood) and about €400 cheaper than the LLL 8-element replica, also without hood.

In short, it strikes a smart balance:

• Not as perfectly built as the LLL
• More usable wide open than the Nokton
• Competitively priced

For those prioritizing out-of-focus rendering, the Nokton remains king, though it trails in sharpness and distortion. Those seeking field sharpness, low distortion, and premium feel will prefer the LLL. The Mr. Ding sits comfortably in the middle, a true “best of both worlds” option.

Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm f2 Summary and Conclusions

Pros:

• Elegant, compact all-brass design
• Simple ergonomics (no infinity lock, equidistant f-stops)
• Strong contrast wide open
• Reasonable vignetting
• Better-than-expected T-stop
• Included brass hood
• Adjustable rangefinder cam
• Solid value

Cons:

• Noticeable barrel distortion
• Slight midfield softness at wide apertures
• Focus and aperture rings could feel smoother

The Mr. Ding Pactcron 35mm f/1.8 isn’t the sharpest or most refined lens out there, but it’s a genuinely likable one. Compact, well-built, and characterful, it hits a sweet spot between performance and charm. Like the Summicron 35 mm v4, it’s not perfect, but it’s a lens you want to use.

Demanding shooters may prefer more modern optics like the Ultron 35 mm Aspherical or a newer Summicron. But for anyone seeking a fast, classic, everyday 35 mm with personality and balance, the Pactcron earns its nickname as the “King of Trade-offs” (or Jack of all trades, in a good way).

Here’s hoping Mr. Ding continues down this path, designing small, fast, thoughtful lenses with their own optical DNA. After the near-collapse that delayed this release, it’s refreshing to see the brand bounce back with something this coherent and enjoyable to use.

More pictures

Once more, thank you for reading me and go follow my personal instagram. If my Leica handles or Nikon Zf thumb rest interests you, you can check my website or go to kamerakraft instagram. Cheers!

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