Voigtländer Ultron 35mm f/2 II ASPH.

Voigtländer Ultron 35mm f/2 II ASPH.

What sets the Ultron 35mm f/2 II ASPH apart is less its optics than its dress: introduced in 2021, the Type II is a cosmetic and ergonomic restyling of the existing Ultron 35mm f/2 ASPH, sharing the same optical formula while adopting a vintage-inspired profile and an aluminium hood that openly echoes the look of classic Leica steel-rim accessories [1][3]. It is a small, full-frame M-mount lens aimed at rangefinder users who want modern aspherical performance at a fraction of a Leica Summicron's price [2].

The optical design uses 8 elements in 5 groups, including a double-sided aspherical element and an anomalous partial dispersion glass intended to control chromatic aberration. The barrel is all-metal, with a 10-blade aperture, a 39 mm filter thread and a close-focus limit of 0.58 m that is shorter than the older Leica 35 Summicron ASPH it is often compared against. Build quality is well regarded, with a clicked aperture ring and a smooth focusing action; the lens is rangefinder-coupled and carries the standard Voigtländer VM mount, which seats on Leica M bodies and, via adapters, on mirrorless cameras. It is not factory six-bit coded. The Type II reintroduced a focusing recess and small lever in place of the Type I focusing knob, a change some users find less comfortable than the earlier control.

Voigtländer has stated that the Type I and Type II share identical optics, so the distinction is one of finish and handling rather than image quality. The Type II is offered in black and silver, and a vintage-style LH-12 lens hood (an LH-4N is also referenced) is sold separately to complete the retro appearance. Reviewers note that the hood deliberately resembles the famous Leica Summilux "Steel Rim" style.

Optical qualities

Rendering Independent reviews describe the lens as essentially distortion-free with very low chromatic aberration, comparable in those respects to the Leica 35 Summicron ASPH. It is sharp in the centre wide open and holds resolution well into the corners, with a slight glow reported around bright objects at the edges and an optimum around f/2.8 to f/4.

Bokeh and transitions Background rendering has been characterised by some reviewers as slightly busy, while others find it pleasant; opinions vary, with one comparison drawn to the smoother out-of-focus look associated with the Summicron 35mm f/2 V4.

Distortion and vignetting Vignetting wide open is the most commonly cited shortcoming, alongside visible diffraction softening by around f/8.

History

Development and Launch The Ultron 35mm f/2 ASPH lens family originates from Cosina's Voigtländer VM line of Leica M-compatible optics. Voigtländer redesigned and released the Type II version in March 2021 as a styling and ergonomics update to the existing aspherical Ultron, retaining the same optical formula. The lens sits in the company's mid-tier between the budget options and the faster Nokton line, positioned as an affordable f/2 alternative to Leica's 35 mm Summicron.

Production Evolution The principal change from Type I to Type II is the control layout and exterior styling, including a focusing recess and lever in place of the earlier focusing knob, plus the vintage-influenced barrel and hood. Both types are documented as optically identical.

Collector Notes Buyers should confirm which version they are handling, since Type I and Type II look different but render the same; the distinction matters mainly for handling preference and resale appearance. Some reviews mention occasional reports of sticky focusing or sample defects, so checking focus action before purchase is sensible. The matching LH-12 hood is a separate accessory worth verifying, as it is central to the lens's intended vintage look. One published review describes the optics as a nine-element, seven-group design, which conflicts with the manufacturer-confirmed 8 elements in 5 groups; the verified construction should be treated as authoritative.