Voigtländer Color-Skopar 28mm f/2.8 Type II

Voigtländer Color-Skopar 28mm f/2.8 Type II

When Cosina announced the Color-Skopar 28mm f/2.8 Aspherical in mid-2023, it released the design in three near-identical optical variants, and the Type II is the M-mount version built for portability rather than nostalgia [1][2][4]. Where the Type I VM and the M39 screw-mount variant lean on a brass barrel and a rotating helicoid for a classic look, the Type II adopts a modern style with a straight helicoid and an aluminum exterior to save weight. At about 106 grams it is one of the lightest 28mm rangefinder lenses in current production, and reviewers note it is small enough to barely intrude into the viewfinder of an M body[3]. Cosina positions the lens as offering optical performance close to its Ultron Vintage Line 28mm f/2 Aspherical while trading a stop of speed for a smaller, lighter package.

The optical system uses eight elements in five groups, including a double-sided aspherical element, and Cosina also cites partial-dispersion glass in the formula. The lens is fully rangefinder coupled and focuses to 0.5 m on the Type II, closer than the 0.7 m of the other two variants, with live-view focusing available on digital bodies. Handling features include a focus tab, a generously sized aperture ring with half-stop clicks down to f/22, and ten aperture blades. A metal screw-in hood and metal front cap are supplied, and because the lens is so compact the hood makes little difference to viewfinder blockage. It can also be adapted to mirrorless cameras using Voigtländer or third-party adapters, where a six-bit coding adapter can supply basic EXIF data; the lens itself is not factory six-bit coded.

The three 2023 variants share the same optical design but differ in mount, barrel material, finish, dimensions, weight, and minimum focus distance, which is the main thing to confirm when buying. The Type II VM is offered in black and silver, and Cosina has used more than one casing style across its recent M-mount lineup. A Voigtländer 28mm f/3.5 Color-Skopar produced from 2002 to 2007 is sometimes described as a spiritual predecessor, though it used a different and slower optical formula. The Color-Skopar name has also appeared on unrelated SL II and SL IIs lenses for Nikon F and Canon EF mounts, which should not be confused with this rangefinder lens [5].

Optical qualities

Rendering The modern aspherical formula gives high resolution and contrast across most of the frame, with reviewers noting strong sharpness even wide open and a small improvement on stopping down[6]. Some sources describe a minor dip in mid-field resolution, with optimal corner sharpness reached around f/4. At mid distances the lens has been described as showing a more classic rendering character.

Distortion and vignetting Vignetting is significant wide open on full-frame digital sensors, with measurements above 3 EV at f/2.8 and a meaningful amount remaining even stopped down, though it is straightforward to correct in a digital workflow. Distortion is low for a 28mm of this size.

Flare resistance Coverage indicates good resistance to ghosting, with veiling flare possible in some situations, and the lens renders the well-defined ten-point sunstars typical of Voigtländer designs from around f/4.

Bokeh and transitions Out-of-focus highlights take on a cat's-eye shape toward the corners because of optical vignetting; on a close-focus adapter the bokeh can be rendered more pleasingly than the native minimum focus distance allows.

History

Development and Launch Cosina announced the Color-Skopar 28mm f/2.8 Aspherical on 14 July 2023, releasing it simultaneously in M-mount Type I and Type II forms plus an M39 screw-mount variant. The Type II was designed as the lightweight, modern-styled option, intended to deliver high optical quality in a very small barrel suited to both film and digital rangefinders as well as adapted mirrorless use.

Production Evolution The lens remains in production. The Type II is distinguished from its siblings by its aluminum barrel, straight helicoid, closer 0.5 m minimum focus distance, and lighter weight, while all three variants share the same eight-element optical layout.

Special editions No major factory special editions of the Type II are widely documented beyond the standard black and silver finishes.

Collector Notes The most common point of confusion is which of the three 2023 variants a lens actually is, since they look related but differ in mount and specification; checking barrel material, helicoid type, and minimum focus distance helps confirm a Type II. Buyers adapting the lens should note it is not factory six-bit coded and that a coding adapter is needed for EXIF on mirrorless bodies. One discrepancy worth noting: several retailer and review sources list a 39mm filter thread for the Type II VM rather than the 34mm associated with the Type I and L39 variants, so verify the front thread before ordering filters.