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Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

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Rendering

Rendering is a subjective aspect of photography that involves various characteristics such as optical vignetting, spherical aberration, highlight outlining, and transition zones, all of which contribute to the final look and feel of an image.

The Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron lens stands out with its unique rendering compared to modern lenses that prioritize a very smooth background blur. When shooting wide open, you can observe a distinct outlining effect in specular highlights, which adds a pleasing structure to the overall image.

When focusing at its closest distance of 0.25m, the transition zone appears extremely smooth, and the outlining is well controlled due to the strong blur, resulting in a pleasingly smooth look. From a focus distance of 0.7m to around 2m, you can see the outlining effect, and within this range, the lens captures a lot of character to the image. This characteristic continues when focusing on subjects at medium and long distances, although the blur becomes less pronounced, similar to an f/2.8 lens in terms of equivalent depth of field on full frame.

I should note that the Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron lens effectively controls optical vignetting, resulting in minimal distortion of specular highlights, avoiding the appearance of a pronounced "cat's-eye" shape. Additionally, the lens has successfully corrected spherical aberration, leading to improved resolution and contrast, even when capturing subjects at close distances, with minimal halo or glow effects.

Overall, I really appreciate the distinctive rendering capabilities of this lens, and it's refreshing to see a lens that has its own unique style.

Example of images shot at or near MFD

Observe a smoother rendering due to high blur.

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/2500s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/210s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/3500s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/7500s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/400s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

Jun 22, 2023 at 09:54 PM

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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Example of images shot from 1m to 3m

Take note of the presence of outlining in the specular highlights, which adds a distinct structure to the overall image.

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/3000s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/5400s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/4700s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/2200s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/11000s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/1700s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

Jun 22, 2023 at 09:58 PM

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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

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Sunstar Rendering

The sunstars will have 10 points since the lens is equipped with a 10-blade aperture mechanism with straight blades. The aperture mechanism of Voigtlander lenses is renowned for producing well-defined sunstars. What makes it truly remarkable is that, in the case of the Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron, defined sunstars are possible even at f/2.8! In contrast, Fujifilm AF lenses lack this capability due to their rounded aperture blades, requiring significantly smaller apertures to achieve decent sunstars.

It's worth mentioning that the Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron is multi-coated and performed exceptionally well in terms of ghosting and veiling flare, even with the sun in the frame. This is thanks to its simplistic optical design, which is highly resistant to flare. I didn't observe any ghosting or loss in contrast.

Here is a sequence showing the sunstar rendering from f/2 until f/16 in full stop increments:

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/6000s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.8 1/3500s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/4.0 1/1800s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/5.6 1/900s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/8.0 1/450s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/11.0 1/220s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/16.0 1/120s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

Jun 23, 2023 at 05:40 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

I failed to mention earlier that the Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron comes with a remarkably sleek metal hood. This hood is extremely thin and can be securely screwed to the lens. It also features a metal cap for added protection.

Jun 23, 2023 at 10:22 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

That metal cap — assuming that it screws into the hood — is a nice touch.

I like the hood on the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8, but its cap only pushes onto the hood, for a less secure attachment.

Jun 24, 2023 at 10:10 AM

Nushi
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

The 2014 Pentax pancake lens SMC Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 Limited has a very similar hood and cap. It looks cool but owners generally tire of it quickly. The tiny screw in cap isn't very practical. Luckily that one is perfectly sized for the lid from a typical 35mm film container.

Jun 24, 2023 at 10:46 AM

RustyRus
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

This lens looks like a real winner!!!!!

I just wish it had weather sealing to match the X-Pro line.

Jun 24, 2023 at 11:04 AM

freaklikeme
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Thanks for vicariously satisfying my curiosity, Fred. I know it's too small for me, but I was curious about the performance. It looks like the perfect pancake. Not a spectacular landscaper, but capable enough, and fantastic mid-to-close.

You do have me looking seriously at the Fuji 23. That thing's a resolution monster in comparison to the pancake. The corner issues seem like a small price to pay for the otherwise stellar landscape performance.

Jun 25, 2023 at 12:46 AM

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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

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Samples 2

A few images from Kyoto, Japan:

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/1900s 160 ISO -1.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/8000s 160 ISO -1.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/125s 160 ISO -1.0 EV

Jul 07, 2023 at 08:47 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

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Samples 3

Japan, various locations.

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/2900s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/2000s 160 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/300s 160 ISO -2.7 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/125s 160 ISO -2.7 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 1/80s 250 ISO 0.0 EV

Jul 07, 2023 at 11:44 PM

Juha Kannisto
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Hi Fred,

It was very nice meeting you today in Tokyo

As discussed, sharing my sample albums taking with this lens (on my X-S10) here as well. Lots of the shots were SOOC JPEGs directly from camera with various film styles, and some were exported from Raw via C1 Pro using Fuji film styles available there (which I think look pretty identical to the corresponding styles in-camera):

Hydrangea at Amidaji Temple (Yamaguchi) (7/3):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kWZfNKFnp1TTVpPc9

Sightseeing in Hagi, Yamaguchi (7/2):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZvSEwnm4eckQkuYB8

Sunday walk around Hiroo, Minami-Aoyama, Roppongi (6/25):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iJeLdsnubP9ft8mC6

Rainy season Saturday strolling around Kichijoji (6/24):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9uMP5t7cDy2d9DGU9

Lots of samples from Hamarikyu Gardens and nearby (6/17):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5Tm3WTMfd1buipdW6

Early samples from Ebisu + Yokohama (6/14-16):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ewvNkUQycU9PNTto9

Jul 09, 2023 at 07:57 AM

Gabe13
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

@Juha

Thanks for posting all these sample photos! Many of them display that beautiful Voigtlander rendering that I have been a big fan of for many years as well as the often characteristic 3D pop. I am eagerly awaiting my copy of this lens that has recently shipped out and is on its way. This plus my X-T5 will be the basis of a small but capable kit I will use for my international travels.

Now if only we would get a more concrete idea of when that 35mm Nokton f0.9 I am also eagerly awaiting will be released

Jul 09, 2023 at 10:15 PM

Juha Kannisto
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Gabe13 wrote:
@Juha@

Thanks for posting all these sample photos! Many of them display that beautiful Voigtlander rendering that I have been a big fan of for many years as well as the often characteristic 3D pop. I am eagerly awaiting my copy of this lens that has recently shipped out and is on its way. This plus my X-T5 will be the basis of a small but capable kit I will use for my international travels.

Now if only we would get a more concrete idea of when that 35mm Nokton f0.9 I am also eagerly awaiting will be released

Thanks very much! I've been enjoying this lens a lot and I hope you'll be fully happy with your copy as well!

I still haven't seen any leaks or any preliminary information about the release date for Nokton 35/0.9. Usually such information comes out at least 1 month prior to actual release date. Probably the remaining CP+ pre-released lenses (this Nokton 35/0.9 and Canon RF 50/1) will not be released before late August at least since otherwise there would have been some information already.

Jul 10, 2023 at 01:06 AM

gdanmitchell
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Nushi wrote:

The 2014 Pentax pancake lens SMC Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 Limited has a very similar hood and cap. It looks cool but owners generally tire of it quickly. The tiny screw in cap isn't very practical. Luckily that one is perfectly sized for the lid from a typical 35mm film container.


	https://www.microglobe.co.uk/imagemagic.php?img=images/pentax-hd-da-40mm-f2.8-limited-lens-black_2.jpg


	https://photographylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Pentax-HD-Pentax-DA-40mm-f2.8-Limited.jpg


	https://static.mercdn.net/item/detail/orig/photos/m46651273950_1.jpg

I had that Pentax lens back in the film days, when we had the MX and the ME bodies. It was a wonderful little lens, though our standards for sharpness, etc. were lower then, and I don't know how it would compare optically with today's lenses. But when it came to tiny lenses, it was a fine one.

Today I'm using the XT5 with the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR (the version with the aperture ring) and liking it a ton. I'm currently traveling (for a couple of months) and that lens is on the camera probably 90% of the time. (I carry a few other primes for outlier conditions.) The push-on cap has both pluses and minuses by comparison to the screen in caps. The minus is that it isn't as securely attached — though it is solid enough for my purposes. (Unlike the push on cap on the metal hood for the original 23mm, which barely sticks at all.)

The plus list that... it comes off more easily and quickly when I see a shot.

The Fujifilm 27mm has a very tiny screw-in hood that is conceptually similar to the hood on the lens under discussion in this thread. Most often I just leave the cap off if I'm likely to be making photographs, for example when out doing street photography.

Dan

Jul 10, 2023 at 03:09 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Juha Kannisto wrote:
Hi Fred,

It was very nice meeting you today in Tokyo

I wanted to express my gratitude for the amazing tour you gave me in Tokyo. It was an incredible experience exploring numerous camera stores and discussing photography with you.

I must say, I'm absolutely impressed by the samples you shared of the Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron lens. They truly showcase the lens's unique rendering, and it's helpful to see subjects focused at various distances and how that affects the overall draw. Personally, I'm thoroughly enjoying the images I've been able to capture with this lens. It has quickly become one of my favorite lenses to use on my X-Pro3!

As my three-week stay in Japan comes to an end, I'll be returning to the US tomorrow. I feel like I've really gotten to know this lens well, and I'll be wrapping up this review soon.

Take care!

Jul 10, 2023 at 08:03 AM

Desmolicious
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

gdanmitchell wrote:
I had that Pentax lens back in the film days, when we had the MX and the ME bodies. It was a wonderful little lens, though our standards for sharpness, etc. were lower then, and I don't know how it would compare optically with today's lenses. But when it came to tiny lenses, it was a fine one. ..

I never had any issues with the Pentax 40 2.8. Here with Ilford Pan 50

Jul 10, 2023 at 01:15 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Desmolicious wrote:
I never had any issues with the Pentax 40 2.8. Here with Ilford Pan 50

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51041549768_fe9d8ec0be_b.jpg

I never had issues with it back then either. It was a favorite lens. I especially liked it on those tiny little "M" cameras — we had both the MX and the ME — two of my favorite cameras over the years. :-)

(My only point here was that, having only used it with a film camera, I could not vouch for how it would compare today if used on a digital system, from which we often expect to be able to make larger prints that we typically would have attempted with 35mm film images back in the day. I'll bet someone, somewhere has put the thing a a digital FF camera and has an answer to that.)

Dan

Edited on Jul 11, 2023 at 11:04 AM · View previous versions

Jul 11, 2023 at 02:38 AM

newyork
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

Fred, has this been your favorite of the x mount Voigtlander so far? I noticed they have a 23, 35 and macro too.

Jul 11, 2023 at 06:55 AM

Desmolicious
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

gdanmitchell wrote:
I never had issues with it back then either. It was a favorite lens. I especially liked it on those tiny little "M" cameras — we had both the MX and the ME — two of my favorite cameras over the years. :-)

(My only point here was that, having only used it with a film camera, I could not vouch for how it would compare today if used on a digital system, from which we often expect to be able to make larger prints that we typically would have attempted with 35mm film images back in the day. I'll bet someone, somewhere...Show more →

Closing the loop on this as it is going off on a tangent from the thread, I've noticed that a lot of people who complain about this lens never actually have used it. But read about it on the internet from someone who heard something from someone who...

Jul 11, 2023 at 11:14 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron X-mount Review

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Sagittal Coma Flare performance:

The Voigtlander 27mm f/2 Ultron lens does not excel in coma correction, but this characteristic is intentional and contributes to its distinctive rendering at wider apertures. When the aperture is narrowed to f/2.8, the level of coma significantly decreases, and it completely disappears at f/4. Although it doesn't offer the best coma performance compared to some modern lenses that prioritize coma correction in their optical design, it is by no means the worst I've encountered.

Below, you'll find 100% crops showcasing a bright star positioned near the edge of the frame. The images were captured incrementally at one-third stops, starting from the widest aperture of f/2.

Thumbnail showing the entire image and analyzed section

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.0 3s 2000 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.2 4s 2000 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.5 4s 2000 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/2.8 6s 2000 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/3.2 7s 2000 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/3.6 10s 2000 ISO 0.0 EV

X-Pro3 VOIGTLANDER ULTRON 27mm F2 lens 27mm f/4.0 17s 2000 ISO 0.0 EV

Jul 14, 2023 at 10:17 AM

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