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Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

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p.55 #1 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

david6908 wrote:

Española Los castells
By chance, I stumbled upon this amazing performance, and I was very happy to spend some joyful time with these little actors. Goodbye, Barcelona!
BTW, All these photos were taken with this cute Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron.


	https://35mmplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MR100630-sxt.jpg


	https://35mmplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MR100735-sxt.jpg


	https://35mmplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MR100663-sxt.jpg


	https://35mmplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MR100777-sxt.jpg

Click for More Pics.

Great shots with the CV 28 f/2. I've always wanted to see this in person. I'll try to plan a trip to Barcelona during a performance.

Dec 28, 2025 at 03:33 PM

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p.55 #2 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

kinetic wrote:
Just got my copy of the Voigtlander 28mm Ultron II! I took it out with me on a portrait shoot that really required a lot of context for a few of the shots.

It's super small and feels great to shoot with. The focus ring and the tab feels just right. The optical quality was just fantastic, even wide open at f/2.

Wow. Beautiful images and a beautiful woman. Great job.

Dec 28, 2025 at 04:48 PM

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p.55 #3 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
Great shots with the CV 28 f/2. I've always wanted to see this in person. I'll try to plan a trip to Barcelona during a performance.

Thanks!
Barcelona is worth exploring thoroughly; I think this small powerful lens would be perfect for its narrow alleys.

Dec 30, 2025 at 09:09 AM

david6908
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p.55 #4 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

Paris is a flowing feast!
One more set shots in Paris. Personally, I think there are too many things worth shooting here. In this sense, Paris is a flowing feast, as Hemingway said.
Most of those are taken by this CV 28 F2 Ultron lens.

Click for More Pics.

Jan 11, 2026 at 04:51 AM

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p.55 #5 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

A flowing story ~ Shawan Piaose
Shawan Piaose is a distinctive traditional folk art activity in Shawan Town, Guangzhou, China. Originating from the Beidi Birthday deity parade and temple fair competitions in the mid-Ming Dynasty, it belongs to the Shehuo performance genre.
Because the invisible material is used to fix the Piaose little actors, these little actors look like they are floating in the air, which is also the origin of the name Piaose which is floating color in Chinese.
Some pics taken in Shawan Piaose by this cute lens.

Click for More pics.

Apr 25, 2026 at 08:10 AM

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p.55 #6 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

Rural tour
It was by chance that I managed to take a few photos using this small camera during a rural tour.

Click for More pics.

Jun 11, 2026 at 08:00 AM

rscheffler
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p.55 #7 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

ledes wrote:
I heard this lens will be discontinued. Does anyone know why?
I was thinking about getting it to pair it with my 28 lux (on film), but my last voigtlander was the 28mm color skopar and maybe it was my copy but I was very disappointed with performance

In case someone read the above and didn't already know, as of June 2026 Cosina announced they will resume production of the 28 Ultron (and 35mm Ultron). https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1921932/0#16923692

With it being Cosina, one never knows how long this will hold true, so I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually discontinue it again. Certainly it's only a matter of when, but I think the surprise here was how quickly it was discontinued the first time around.

Jun 11, 2026 at 11:01 AM

HelenaN
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p.55 #8 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

Stockholm Sweden (Sony A7RII).

I was born in northern Sweden. Moved to Stockholm when I was very young. Living in Norway now (very happy with it). But since I lived in Stockholm some years I still visit it almost every year.

Edited on Jul 05, 2026 at 08:50 AM · View previous versions

Jul 05, 2026 at 08:24 AM

HelenaN
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p.55 #9 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

Close Reindeer with big antlers
Fjällnäs in Sweden

Jul 05, 2026 at 08:25 AM

Seabassius
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p.55 #10 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

HelenaN wrote:
Close Reindeer with big antlers
Fjällnäs in Sweden

https://helenasphotography.com/keep/2022/20220812_010_a7ll-cv28b.jpg

That is close at 28mm!

Jul 05, 2026 at 08:47 AM

Seabassius
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p.55 #11 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

A few 28mm Ultron II on the Zf

Jul 05, 2026 at 09:00 AM

4ALL
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p.55 #12 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

This is my fourth attempt at using a 28mm lens, a focal length I've never really liked. Three times before, I ended up selling my 28mm lenses.

A long time ago, I owned the Contax Distagon 28mm f/2.8. It was perfectly sharp, but the distortion was quite significant. Then, about twenty years later, I tried the Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5. Unfortunately, it was somewhat disappointing for me as well. Images often looked as if they had too much glow, almost hazy, with very low contrast. They were sharp, but somehow lacked that special quality. The bokeh, however, was beautiful and very Leica-like.

After that came the Leica Elmarit 28mm f/2.8. It produced very nice images and definitely carried the Leica look, but the build quality didn't quite feel like a Leica to me. More importantly, it lacked the unique character I usually expect from Leica glass.

Eventually, I decided to try the Voigtländer Ultron, keeping in mind my excellent experience with the 21mm f/1.8, which produces wonderful footage on video cameras while avoiding that overly digital sharpness. I managed to find the original Type I version, the lightest one with the focus pin. I absolutely love this design. I also enjoy using the focus tab on my Color-Skopar 35mm f/2.5 LTM.

I started shooting at f/8, but quickly realized that this lens is already fantastic wide open at f/2. What impressed me wasn't just the sharpness, including the corners, but also the color rendition, contrast, and rendering style. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that images taken with this 28mm lens have a distinct character and look very different from what you would get from an iPhone.

I should also mention that the subtle cat's-eye bokeh and slight swirl add a wonderful vintage character to the images, something that many modern, clinically perfect lenses are missing. It was a very pleasant surprise, especially considering that I'm used to shooting wide open with Leica Summilux lenses. The Ultron manages to combine excellent sharpness with a touch of imperfection and character, making the images feel more organic and engaging.

Mackinac Bridge - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/8 1/500 28 mm ISO100

Churches of Mackinac Island: 350 years of historic beauty - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/6,8 1/30 28 mm ISO1600

Voigtländer Ultron Type I (Sharpness, Cat-Eyes & Wide Open) - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/2 1/125 28 mm ISO100

Mackinac Island Horse Taxi - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/750 28 mm ISO100

Voigtländer Ultron Type I (Beautiful Bokeh & Subtle Swirl) - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/4 1/1500 28 mm ISO100

Grand Hotel Front Porch - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/4 1/1500 28 mm ISO100

Grand Hotel Esther Williams Swimming Pool - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/4 1/1500 28 mm ISO100

Mackinac Island's Historic Summer Cottages - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/2000 28 mm ISO100

Aug 19, 2026 at 07:39 AM

4ALL
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p.55 #13 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

I will soon publish my working setup for this Ultron. It looks fantastic, performs beautifully, and is extremely practical. One thing I really appreciate is that it doesn't require a bulky lens hood. Apart from offering some mechanical protection for the front element, lens hoods often don't play as significant a role as many people think.

I believe these types of hoods are so popular because they provide a more exclusive and comfortable grip on the camera. Sometimes they are overused, and in some cases excessive handling can even lead to loosening of front lens components. But getting back to the point...

I managed to provoke a noticeable drop in contrast only once. Generally, the easiest way to do this is in a forest when a sharp ray of sunlight breaks through the leaves and hits the lens directly. Even then, I was impressed by how well the Ultron handled the situation. Yes, a slight loss of contrast was visible, but it was minimal and localized. More importantly, it actually added character to the image. Instead of making the shot look worse, it made it more interesting and less sterile.

This is a completely different experience from lenses such as the Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.2 (contrast loss across almost the entire frame without a lens hood) r the Zeiss ZM lineup, whose high microcontrast, excellent flare control, and Zeiss T coatings often create the impression of exceptional sharpness. The Ultron, on the other hand, strikes a balance between sharpness and character. It delivers excellent detail while still retaining a natural, organic look that gives photographs a distinctive personality.

Mackinac Island State Park - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/8 1/125 28 mm ISO400

Aug 19, 2026 at 11:18 AM

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p.55 #14 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

Thanks for the images from this one.

Zeiss always aimed for 2% max distortion and the CY 28/2.8 has a smooth steady onset of barrel over its range to its max of just under 2%. It also carries the early and (in the view of many cine and CY users) most attractive T* coatings.

CZ had always improved them from the time they invented single T* coatings in the 1930s, but 1972 saw their first advanced multi-coatings. The CY 28mm came along in 1976 and featured beautiful color, with the green-yellow separations and image depth we associate with spherical leaded lenses of the era.

The ZMs were the first CZ range made by Cosina, and the first lead-free CZ lens range. They were both finding their way with the new era's constraints on design, plus the widespread introduction of APD glass. The strong macro- and micro-contrast is something they share with the ZEF range, IMO.

It's good to see Cosina recently reintroduce the Ultron 28mm, despite them offering three other 28s. An unusual and welcome move, choice is always good. cheers.

Aug 19, 2026 at 04:32 PM

4ALL
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p.55 #15 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

Here's my setup for the purists. 🙂

Over the years I've tested an absurd number of lens hoods, filters, and accessories from different manufacturers. In general, I build a dedicated setup for every lens I own, and this one happens to be my preferred configuration for the 28mm. Each lens has its own shooting style and therefore its own accessories. Some of my setups are optimized for the Visoflex, others for a spirit level or an eyepiece viewfinder. Even the half-cases vary from lens to lens.

For my 28mm setup, I usually use the following:

1. JJC Shutter Release Button Cap (Red, Concave Version)
The concave version with the rubber gasket is my favorite. I've found that the recessed shape almost acts like a small suction cup for the tip of my finger, making the shutter release feel more natural and consistent. My finger always finds the same position instantly. Convex buttons, on the other hand, tend to be a bit slippery and make it easier to press the shutter off-center.

2. Camera Hot Shoe Cover with Bubble Spirit Level
A small rubber-and-plastic spirit level that won't damage the hot shoe. It is compact, lightweight, and easy to read from waist level, even without glasses. For me, it's one of those simple and inexpensive accessories that genuinely improves the shooting experience.

3. NiSi 39mm Air UV, Brass Frame Lens Protection Filter
This was one of my most pleasant recent discoveries. NiSi feels like the kind of company driven by genuine passion for product design, something reminiscent of Silicon Valley companies from the 1980s and 1990s. The build quality, materials, machining, and attention to detail are outstanding.

The filter uses a brass frame and matches the silver finish of many ZM and VM lens hood mounting rings almost perfectly. Visually, it looks 100% vintage and period-correct. The outer diameter, knurling, and proportions blend seamlessly with classic rangefinder lenses. Protection Filter with 99.9% Peak Transmission. 48 Multi-Layer Advanced ULRC Coating , which might sound like marketing, but in practical use it has proven to be worth every penny.

4. Haoge Metal Lens Bayonet Front Ring for Voigtlander 28mm F2.0 Type I & II Ultron Aspherical Vintage Line LH-VM13-F
The bayonet-mount Lens Front Ring that many photographers either love or hate. Provide additional protection to the camera and lens from accident scratching. The color match is excellent, it mounts smoothly, remains relatively lightweight, and is surprisingly affordable. Most importantly, it complements the overall aesthetic of the lens without making the setup unnecessarily bulky.

5. 39mm to 46mm Step-Up Ring
This adapter ties the entire setup together. Combined with the hood, it effectively creates a small additional lens shade while allowing me to standardize filters across multiple lenses.

6. NiSi 46mm True Color Pro Nano CPL (Brass Frame)
Probably my latest best-selling accessory purchase, acquired through pre-order. Like the UV filter, it uses a brass frame and features a removable focusing tab that perfectly matches the vintage styling of lenses like the Ultron. Because it is a 46mm filter, it works with my Summilux lenses as well and doesn't vignette on the Ultron. The optical quality and color neutrality are excellent.

7. Compact Goat Leather Camera Pouch
A very nostalgic point-and-shoot style pouch reminiscent of the compact cameras of the 1990s. Unfortunately, the exact model is no longer available, although similar versions can still be found in gray or fabric variants if you're willing to spend a little time searching.

8. Genuine Leather Handmade Half Case for Leica M10 Series
A surprisingly affordable and lightweight half-case sourced from AliExpress. It is well made, comfortable in hand, and claimed to be crafted from genuine leather. One feature I particularly appreciate is the battery access door, which allows battery changes without removing the case. It provides a classic rangefinder look, improves grip, and adds a bit of protection without unnecessary bulk. For the price, it is an excellent value and fits perfectly with the minimalist philosophy of this setup.

9. TagStrap with AirTag compartment from IDSworks
TagStrap is a universal camera strap designed by IDSworks with hidden AirTag compartment to help you track your valuable camera. The total lenght is 110cm which is good for carrying it around your neck or over the body is mounted to a single strap lug using an additional triangular split ring. This simple modification allows the camera to hang vertically, making it much less noticeable and easy to carry, almost like a compact point-and-shoot camera.

Overall, this setup gives me exactly what I want from a 28mm kit: practicality, consistency, protection, and a classic rangefinder aesthetic. Nothing feels excessive, nothing gets in the way, and every component has a purpose. For me, that's what a good camera setup should be.

1. JJC Shutter Release Button Cap (Red, Concave Version)

2. Camera Hot Shoe Cover with Bubble Spirit Level
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DQAQLUS

3. NiSi 39mm Air UV, Brass Frame Lens Protection Filter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR9QPLK4

4. Haoge Metal Lens Bayonet Front Ring for Voigtlander 28mm F2.0 Type I & II Ultron Aspherical Vintage Line LH-VM13-F
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7PYC76T

5. 39mm to 46mm Step-Up Ring
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254094765073

6. NiSi 46mm True Color Pro Nano CPL (Brass Frame)
https://nisiopticsusa.com/product/nisi-46mm-true-color-pro-nano-cpl-circular-polarizing-filter-brass-frame/

7. Black Goat-skin Leather Protective Carry-on Case for Leica M Cameras Also Fits Other Small cameras
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DB1JRHHT?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_42

8. Genuine Leather Handmade Half Case for Leica M10 Series
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832695416370.html

9. TagStrap with AirTag compartment from IDSworks
https://idsworks.store/products/tagstrap-with-airtag-compartment-from-idsworks?variant=43149184008237

Best regards and happy shooting!

Voigtlander 28mm f/2.0 Ultron Vintage Aspherical VM Lens Type I for photography purists - set.jpg

Voigtlander 28mm f/2.0 Ultron Vintage Aspherical VM Lens Type I for photography purists - view at an angle

Voigtlander 28mm f/2.0 Ultron Vintage Aspherical VM Lens Type I for photography purists - front view

Aug 19, 2026 at 08:49 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.55 #16 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

4ALL wrote:
This is my fourth attempt at using a 28mm lens, a focal length I've never really liked. Three times before, I ended up selling my 28mm lenses.

A long time ago, I owned the Contax Distagon 28mm f/2.8. It was perfectly sharp, but the distortion was quite significant. Then, about twenty years later, I tried the Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5. Unfortunately, it was somewhat disappointing for me as well. Images often looked as if they had too much glow, almost hazy, with very low contrast. They were sharp, but somehow lacked that special quality. The bokeh, however, was beautiful and very...Show more →

Thanks for the Mackinac Island photos. I grew up not too far from the bridge and we went so often with family and friends I grew quite tired of it for its touristy nature, but your pictures made me nostalgic. Wonderful captures of the feel of the place.

Aug 20, 2026 at 05:37 AM

4ALL
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p.55 #17 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

I'm genuinely excited about this new addition to my kit, especially because this has always been my least favorite focal length (Voigtlander 28mm f/2.0 Ultron Vintage Aspherical VM Lens Type I). Somehow, on the fourth attempt, it finally clicked for me.

What really helped was switching to the M system and learning how to use this lens properly. I instinctively understood it much faster than I expected. For me, f/5.6 has become the most useful working aperture by far.

Here are a few shots from NYC and the U.S. Naval Academy.


	© 4ALL 2026

One World Trade Center - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/1500 28 mm ISO100


	© 4ALL 2026

Manhattan - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/500 28 mm ISO100


	© 4ALL 2026

Summit - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/125 28 mm ISO250


	© 4ALL 2026

Summit - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/125 28 mm ISO250


	© 4ALL 2026

Summit - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/60 28 mm ISO1600

Edited on Oct 06, 2026 at 07:33 PM · View previous versions

Oct 06, 2026 at 07:04 PM

junglialoh
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p.55 #18 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

amazing skyline / vista view

Oct 06, 2026 at 07:28 PM

4ALL
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p.55 #19 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

U.S. Navi Academy.

I uploaded the EXIFs because it's easier that way, but for outdoor shots the lens was almost always used at f/5.6 (Voigtlander 28mm f/2.0 Ultron Vintage Aspherical VM Lens Type I). That's essentially the aperture where this lens really comes alive for me.

There’s a bit of purple fringing visible in some shots, but I mainly wanted to demonstrate how the lens handles actual shooting conditions.


	© 4ALL 2026

LEICA M10-R Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH. lens 28mm f/2.0 1/60s 500 ISO +0.3 EV


	© 4ALL 2026

LEICA M10-R Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH. lens 28mm f/2.4 1/90s 640 ISO +0.3 EV


	© 4ALL 2026

LEICA M10-R Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH. lens 28mm f/4.0 1/500s 100 ISO +0.3 EV


	© 4ALL 2026

LEICA M10-R Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH. lens 28mm f/2.0 1/90s 160 ISO +0.3 EV


	© 4ALL 2026

LEICA M10-R Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH. lens 28mm f/2.0 1/90s 100 ISO +0.3 EV

LEICA M10-R Summicron-M 1:2/28 ASPH. lens 28mm f/6.8 1/250s 100 ISO +0.3 EV

Oct 06, 2026 at 07:38 PM

4ALL
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p.55 #20 · Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

For those who made it this far, here's a little bonus.

I discovered what is probably the most exciting thing about this lens, and honestly, I'm not even sure how much I like it now.

I own both the FLE II and ASPH II, so lenses like the Nokton 28mm f/1.5 don't really impress me that much. In fact, I owned one and returned it because, as it turns out, I'm just not a Nokton guy.

I don't want to contribute to the current hype surrounding that lens. Most of the sample images focus on bokeh and out-of-focus rendering which, in my opinion, all look pretty much the same and don't show anything particularly interesting.

Maybe I'm the only one showing a different way to use the Ultron and just how beautiful its bokeh can be in a genuinely useful photograph. Many of the examples I see remind me of the early stages of people's fascination with macro photography. No offense intended, I completely understand the appeal.

I also didn't want to flood this thread with my selfies! Yet I got so carried away with the Ultron that I even ended up taking a selfie with the tallest building in the USA in the background. 🙂

I occasionally shoot at f2 (inside), but I feel that the rendering can sometimes be a bit too dramatic for portraits. For years I was always chasing that kind of subject separation and 3D effect, yet with this lens I seem to get it almost all the time.

It reminds me very much of the old Zeiss school of rendering. Whether you call it the "Zeiss look", "pop", or "3D pop", I'm not even sure myself. It just looks unusual on a wide-angle lens. People almost appear sculpted or three-dimensional in a way that can seem a little artificial.

Because of that, I often stop down to f/2.8 to tone the effect down and make the images look a bit more natural.

I'll show just one photo. What amazed me is how easy this technique is to use. You simply set the focus distance to 0.6 m, stop down to f/5.6 (which I find to be the lens's most useful aperture), extend your arm, and press the shutter.

It's surprisingly simple, yet the results can be quite striking.

I'll let you judge for yourselves how beautiful and practical the Ultron's out-of-focus rendering really is.

Sense Of Space - Leica Camera AG LEICA M10-R ƒ/5,6 1/350 28 mm ISO100

Oct 06, 2026 at 08:00 PM

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Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron II Review

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