Question 1

What is the difference between the Voigtlander 28mm Ultron Type I and Type II?

Accepted Answer

The Type I (original Ultron) was a non-aspherical design that struggled with corner sharpness and overall wide-open performance at f/2. The Type II introduced aspherical glass elements, which significantly improved wide-open sharpness and allowed the lens to be made more compact than its predecessor. If you're buying used, the Type II is the one worth seeking out for the improved optical performance.

Question 2

What is the filter thread size of the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Type II?

Accepted Answer

The Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Aspherical VM Type II uses a 46mm filter thread. That's a common size with a wide range of quality filters available — just double-check you're buying 46mm rather than the smaller 39mm thread used on some older Voigtländer and rangefinder-era lenses.

Question 3

Does the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Type II work on Leica M bodies?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's a native Leica M (VM) mount lens with full rangefinder coupling, so it works on Leica M film bodies and digital M-series cameras without any adapter. It also works on cameras like the Sony A7 series or Nikon Z bodies via an M-to-E or M-to-Z adapter, though rangefinder coupling won't apply in those cases.

Question 4

How does the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 compare to the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar?

Accepted Answer

The Ultron 28mm f/2 gives you a full extra stop of light over the Color-Skopar f/2.8, which matters in low-light street and indoor shooting. The Color-Skopar is typically even smaller and lighter, making it a great travel companion, but the Ultron's faster aperture and more modern rendering make it the preferred choice when you need that extra stop or cleaner wide-open results.

Question 5

How does the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 compare to the Leica Summicron 28mm?

Accepted Answer

The Ultron 28mm f/2 Type II renders similarly to the Leica Summicron — both are modern, sharp, and clinical in character rather than heavily 'dreamy'. Reviewers consistently note the Ultron holds its own optically, and it comes at a fraction of the Summicron's price point on the used market. For photographers who want high image quality without the Leica badge premium, the Ultron is a rational, well-regarded alternative.

Question 6

Is the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 good for street photography?

Accepted Answer

It's a natural fit for street photography. The 28mm angle of view lets you include environment and context around your subject, the f/2 aperture works well in mixed or low artificial light, and the compact, unassuming form factor doesn't attract attention the way a larger lens would. Manual focus is the main adjustment — experienced rangefinder shooters zone-focus at this focal length to keep things quick.

Question 7

Is buying a used Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, generally — all-manual, non-electronic lenses like the Ultron age very well because there's nothing to short-circuit or stop autofocusing. The main things to verify on a second-hand copy are smooth focus travel, clean glass (no fungus or separation), and a functioning rangefinder cam. Buying from a platform that individually inspects and photographs each lens, and backs it with at least 12 months warranty, removes most of the risk.

Question 8

Can the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 be used for astrophotography?

Accepted Answer

It can work for wide-field astro shooting — the 28mm field of view captures a decent section of sky, and f/2 lets in enough light for shorter exposures to control star trailing. The manual focus is actually an advantage in an astrophotography context, since you're focusing to infinity anyway. Just note there's no image stabilisation, so you'll be relying entirely on your exposure time and tracking setup.

Question 9

What is the difference between the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 and the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 28mm?

Accepted Answer

The Voigtlander 28mm APO-Lanthar is a separate optical design that uses apochromatic glass to minimise chromatic aberration — it's generally considered the higher-spec option for critical sharpness and colour accuracy. The Ultron f/2 is a more compact and typically more affordable option that still delivers excellent real-world results, especially for street and travel use where portability matters.

Question 10

Does the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Type II have autofocus?

Accepted Answer

No — this is a fully manual focus lens, as is standard for lenses designed for the Leica M rangefinder system. On a Leica M body, focus is coupled to the rangefinder mechanism. On adapted mirrorless cameras, you'll use focus peaking or magnification assist on the electronic viewfinder or screen.

Mount	Leica M
Focal range	Wide Angle
Prime / Zoom	Prime
Focal length (min)	28 mm
Focal length (max)	28 mm
Max. aperture	f/2
Stabilisation
Year of release	2000
Auto Focus
Maximum Aperture - Tele (f)	2

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Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Aspherical VM Type II - Leica M

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About the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Aspherical VM Type II - Leica M

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