Voigtländer Ultron 28mm f/2 V2 Type I

The Voigtländer Ultron 28mm f/2 V2 Type I is a M-mount lens for Leica rangefinder cameras. Leica price index ↗

Reference maintained by Thomas Boots

Focal Length: 28mm

Aperture: 𝑓/2

Release Year (from): 2021

Diameter: 52 mm

Length: 36 mm

Minimum Focus Distance: 0.5m

Elements in Groups: 10/7

Aperture Blades: 10

Mount: M

Material Weight: Brass, 190g

Colors: Black

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Voigtländer Ultron 28mm f/2 V2 Type I

Part of Cosina's Ultron Vintage Line, the 28mm f/2 V2 Type I is the slimmer-bodied of two cosmetically distinct but optically identical lenses announced together in April 2021 [1][3]. It distinguishes itself from the heavier original VM Ultron of the mid-2010s by being noticeably smaller and lighter, dropping to a 39 mm filter thread and shortening the close-focus distance to 0.5 m [2]. The Type I is identified by its minimalist styling and a very small focus lever rather than the larger focus tab fitted to the Type II [2].

The optical layout uses ten elements in seven groups with aspherical correction, paired with a ten-blade diaphragm [1][2]. The lens is fully rangefinder coupled for use on Leica M and compatible bodies, and at roughly 36 mm long and 190 g it is one of the more pocketable fast 28mm options for the system [1][2]. Handling is typical of Cosina's M lenses: engraved, paint-filled red and white markings, a focus ring that turns about 120 degrees from 0.5 m to infinity, and an aperture ring with distinct half-stop clicks [2]. Because nearly every part of the barrel is a moving ring, mounting and dismounting can take a little care [2]. It is supplied in black and is not factory six-bit coded [2].

Buyers choosing between versions should note that the Type I and Type II share the same optical formula, so the decision is one of looks and feel rather than image quality [2]. The Type I comes only in black, while the Type II was offered in black and in silver [1][3]. Both differ substantially from the earlier 10-elements-in-8-groups VM Ultron and from the much older 28mm f/1.9 Ultron in M39 mount, which used a different optical design and filter size [2].

Optical qualities

Rendering Reviewers describe the lens as a strong technical performer that suits landscape and architecture work while remaining usable at f/2 indoors or at twilight [2]. Its main weakness is heavy light falloff wide open, measured at about 3.5 EV at f/2 and easing by f/4 [2].

Sharpness On the Leica M10 the center is reported as strong from f/2, with the frame improving on stopping down; on thicker-stacked Sony sensors the corners trail because of sensor cover-glass interaction rather than the optics themselves [2].

Distortion and vignetting Distortion is low for a fast 28mm, while vignetting is the lens's notable shortcoming, with the high falloff at f/2 treated as the trade-off for the compact dimensions [2].

Flare resistance Flare control is rated well, consistent with the general reputation of recent Voigtländer designs in this area [2].

Aberrations Coma is corrected well from wide open and peaks around f/4, and chromatic aberration correction is considered average [2].

Sunstars The ten straight blades produce sunstars that begin to appear by f/4 and are best defined between f/8 and f/11 [2].

History

Development and Launch Voigtländer, under Cosina, announced the 28mm f/2 Ultron for Leica M mount in April 2021 as part of its Vintage Line, presenting it as a wide-angle that blends classic styling with modern optics [1][3]. It arrived in two simultaneously released forms, the Type I and the Type II, sharing optics but differing in body design and finish options [1][3]. The lens updated an earlier VM Ultron 28mm f/2, reducing size and weight, adopting a smaller 39 mm filter thread, and shortening minimum focus to 0.5 m [2].

Production Evolution The 28mm f/2 in M mount has gone through several iterations: an earlier 10/8 VM Ultron with a 46 mm filter thread and 0.7 m close focus, followed by the lighter 10/7 V2 generation split into the Type I and Type II [2]. The lineage also includes a still older 28mm f/1.9 Ultron in M39 screw mount with a different 9/7 design [2].

Special editions No major factory special editions of the Type I are widely documented; the principal variation within this generation is the cosmetic split between the all-black Type I and the black or silver Type II [1][2][3].

Collector Notes The clearest way to tell the Type I from the Type II is the focusing control, a small lever on the Type I versus a larger focus tab on the Type II, along with the Type I being black only [2]. Because this is a current-production lens, originality and coating-haze concerns are minimal compared with vintage optics, but buyers should confirm the version when shopping, since the V2 lenses are easily confused with the earlier, heavier VM Ultron that uses a 46 mm filter and focuses to 0.7 m [2].