I'm not a fan of the lens-board style of Type I, although I like that aperture ring and the brass construction. I vote for the Type II for the modern barrel design and the quite awesome DOF scale. That said, I'm not really in the market for either style since I already own other 28mm lenses: Elmarit-M, CZ Distagon 28/2.8, and Nikkor AF-S 28/1.4E. The remaining 28 on my bucket list is the Minolta G-Rokkor 28/3.5 LTM that would have difficulty performing with a digital sensor given the deeply recessed rear element. The Rokkor is the same as that built into the TC-1 (legendary Minolta 135 P&S with Waterhouse stops).
I prefer Type II and I have the black Type II version of the lens personally. I like both the handling and the looks of it better. I also like the light weight in this case and ability to focus closer is very useful.
I also have the 40/2.8 VM which is similar to Type I. I don't like the handling of that lens as much and part of the infinity lock on mine dropped off and went missing early on. The lens works nicely without the infinity lock parts though and without those it also fits on LM-EA9, but I somewhat prefer the original 40/2.8 without helicoid designed for use with CV VM-E adapter on my Sony cameras.
rico wrote:
I'm not a fan of the lens-board style of Type I, although I like that aperture ring and the brass construction. I vote for the Type II for the modern barrel design and the quite awesome DOF scale. That said, I'm not really in the market for either style since I already own other 28mm lenses: Elmarit-M, CZ Distagon 28/2.8, and Nikkor AF-S 28/1.4E. The remaining 28 on my bucket list is the Minolta G-Rokkor 28/3.5 LTM that would have difficulty performing with a digital sensor given the deeply recessed rear element. The Rokkor is the same as that built into the TC-1 (legendary Minolta 135 P&S with Waterhouse stops)....Show more →
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Juha Kannisto wrote:
I prefer Type II and I have the black Type II version of the lens personally. I like both the handling and the looks of it better. I also like the light weight in this case and ability to focus closer is very useful.
I also have the 40/2.8 VM which is similar to Type I. I don't like the handling of that lens as much and part of the infinity lock on mine dropped off and went missing early on. The lens works nicely without the infinity lock parts though and without those it also fits on LM-EA9, but I somewhat prefer the original 40/2.8 without helicoid designed for use with CV VM-E adapter on my Sony cameras....Show more →
I received the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color Skopar Type II today and agree it looks much better on the Safari M. It gives the camera a more modern aesthetic and the main advantages are the separate aperture and focus rings, lighter weight, and the ability to focus down to 0.5m in LV or 0.62m with the rangefinder. I will post a picture on the camera later...it's gorgeous!
Fred Miranda wrote:
I can't reveal details yet, but the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar will soon face some real competition. That new lens will be my next review.
The vignetting on the CS is about as bad as I've seen from any lens. Sharpness wise nothing to complain about, bests my Elmarit ASPH in pretty much all other ways
Aug 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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Fred Miranda wrote:
I can't reveal details yet, but the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Skopar will soon face some real competition. That new lens will be my next review.
Can you reveal the company? Light lens lab? MS-Optics? Thypoch? Someone else?
Fred Miranda wrote:
This isn’t the lens I'm talking about, although the specs are similar.
Just realized there is no name written on the front rim of the lens (in those couple of pictures), so I guess they still can choose whatever name they want...
I decided to switch back to the Sony a7RIV I purchased (used) in 2024 and lay off the FujiFilm for a while. I wish there were more "how to" publications for Fujifilm cameras because the Sony, like Canon, are pretty easy to use and understand.
I bought two new Voigtlander lenses when I got the Sony, a Lanther 35mm and the 15mm. The Lanther 35mm is as sharp as a lens can get, but the 15mm is terrible and two years later, I'm still trying to get someone to honor the three year warranty given by B&H. I've only used the lens 2x before I realized how bad the sharpness is. It makes me very hesitant to buy anything manufacturered by the parent company for Voigtlander, which includes Zeiss, which I've always thought produced A+ lenses.
Anyone have any ideas how to get this brand new $550 paper-weight fixed or replaced by the manufacturer before the last year of the warranty goes by? I guess I was expecting a Canon-style warranty from one of the oldest lens manufacturers. Thanks.
