Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Ultron SL II Review

Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Ultron SL II Handling and Features

The build and design of this lens is reminiscent of a time lenses were typically made of brass and designed to last longer than you might think. This lens feels very solidly built, thanks to the all-metal construction and the scalloped metal focusing ring. Despite the heavyweight construction this lens actually only weighs 200g and it makes a perfect companion for the Nikon D600 body used for testing.

The focusing ring is silky smooth and has just the right amount of resistance, which makes it a pleasure to apply fine adjustments. Closest focus for this lens is 38cm, without the close-up lens attached. which is fairly typical for a lens of this focal length. With the close up lens, minimum focus is reduced to between 45cm and 25cm. The lens doesn't focus internally, extending by around 6mm at its closest focus. Focus distances are embossed into the focus ring, and there is a hyper-focal scale, although only values for f/8, f/16 and f/22 are marked on the lens barrel. Electronic contacts to support metering and aperture control functions of the camera are provided. Nikon users will have to ensure that the lens is set to f/22, which is marked orange on the aperture ring for the lens to work properly on modern cameras. Unfortunately, there is no system provided for locking the aperture at this setting.



The lens accepts 52mm filters, screwed directly to the lens,  and the filter ring does not rotate during focusing, which is great for use with graduated and polarising filters. The supplied LH-40N lens hood doubles as an adapter for the close up lens, as well as helping to shield the lens from extraneous light.

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