Voigtländer Color-Skopar 21mm f/3.5 II

Voigtländer Color-Skopar 21mm f/3.5 II

The Color-Skopar 21mm f/3.5 II is the second cosmetic version of Cosina's compact ultra-wide for Leica M-mount, part of the Voigtländer Vintage Line. The original Type I reached the market in January 2019 with styling that nodded to 1950s lens design, and in late 2021 Cosina added two Type II variants whose appearance was reworked to evoke a more 1970s look [1]. The two types share the same optics, so the II is a handling and finish revision rather than an optical redesign [2]. Cosina's stated aim with the line was to wrap modern optical performance in a casing that recalls a classic lens, accepting a moderate f/3.5 maximum aperture to keep the barrel small while maintaining image quality on both film and digital bodies [1].

Optically the lens uses nine elements in eight groups with a ten-blade diaphragm, and it covers a roughly 91 degree angle of view [1]. The formula departs from the older symmetrical wide-angle layouts, placing an aspherical element at the rear and using a glass with abnormal partial dispersion, and it manages without floating elements [2]. It is an all-metal-and-glass build that is very small, measuring about 30mm in length on the camera, with a 39mm filter thread that takes common rangefinder filters, though slim mounts are advised on so wide a lens [2]. The lens is rangefinder coupled and focuses to 0.5m; reviewers note the focus ring carries a smooth, distinct resistance and that the aperture clicks at half stops in the usual Voigtländer manner [2]. It is not six-bit coded.

The most visible change in the Type II is the focusing tab. Where the Type I used a small lever in keeping with period styling, the II adopts a tab that sits more naturally under the finger and resembles modern Leica M handling, a change widely regarded as more practical for everyday use [1]. The II is offered in all-black and all-chrome finishes [2]. Because all three versions have sold alongside one another at the same price, buyers choosing between them are deciding on appearance and grip rather than optical performance [2].

Optical qualities

Rendering On both 24MP Leica M10 and higher-resolution sensors the lens is described as sharp with strong contrast, and one reviewer judged it suitable for use on a 60MP Leica M11 without hesitation [2,3]. Flare resistance is good, with ghosting hard to provoke, and it produces defined sunstars that look best stopped down toward f/8 to f/11 [3]. The weaker points are typical of a small ultra-wide: noticeable barrel distortion, fairly heavy vignetting that improves only modestly on stopping down, and only average coma correction, along with some field curvature at close distances [3].

Contrast and color The lens holds high contrast across broad tonal areas and fine detail [2]. Wide open vignetting is visible but easily corrected, and a colour cast toward the image margins, the so-called Italian-flag effect, can appear on older digital M bodies; this drift is reported to be reduced compared with the slower predecessor lens [2,3].

History

Development and Launch The 21mm f/3.5 Color-Skopar entered the Vintage Line as the Type I in January 2019, styled after a 1950s aesthetic [1]. In November 2021 Cosina announced the Type II in silver and black, an updated cosmetic treatment leaning toward 1970s styling, scheduled for a December 2021 release at a price around US$834 [1]. It sits among several Voigtländer 21mm M-mount options, and among the slower variants is regarded as the best performing, particularly on digital bodies thanks to reduced colour cast [3].

Special editions No major factory special editions are widely documented. The lens exists as the Type I and the two Type II finishes, black and silver, which differ only in appearance and focusing control [1,2].

Collector Notes The clearest identifying feature of the II is its rounded focusing tab and uniform black or chrome finish, versus the Type I's small focus lever and more overtly retro casing [1]. Because the optics are shared, the choice is purely about handling and looks. The dedicated LH-11 lens hood is a separate accessory and has been singled out as expensive, so confirm whether a hood is included with a used purchase [3]. With a 39mm filter thread, slim filters are recommended to avoid mechanical vignetting [2].

Sources

• [1] PetaPixel. Cosina Unveils 'Vintage Line' Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 for M-Mount. https://petapixel.com/2021/11/15/cosina-unveils-vintage-line-voigtlander-21mm-f-3-5-for-m-mount/
• [2] Macfilos. The M Files (16): Voigtländer Color-Skopar 21/3.5 VM and Ultron 35/2 VM lenses. https://www.macfilos.com/2023/02/03/the-m-files-16-voigtlander-color-skopar-21-3-5-vm-and-ultron-35-2-vm-lenses-attractive-accurate-affordable/
• [3] Phillip Reeve. Review: Voigtlander VM 21mm 3.5 Color-Skopar. https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-voigtlander-vm-21mm-3-5-color-skopar/