Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens

  • Price: $449.00
  • B&H # VO4020SL2N
  • Mfr# BA229DN

Product Highlights

  • For Nikon AIS
  • With Integrated CPU
  • Supports 3-D Matrix Metering

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The Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens is an ultra-compact, sturdy manual focus lens that features high-quality traditional construction with classic styling, while using modern optical lens technology. This lens is part of the SL II series, which feature a CPU (Central Processing Unit) built into the lens. Having the CPU integrated into the lens allows it to support 3D Matrix metering and matrix balanced fill flash on all SLR cameras, even DSLRs (in manual focus). In addition, this also means that the aperture is now controlled by the camera's command dial.

This lens offers a bright f/2 maximum aperture, with a minimum focusing distance of 1.25' (38cm), and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:7. However, this lens is supplied with a dedicated close-up lens, which results in a minimum focusing distance of 0.8' (25cm), and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4. Used on an APS-C sized DSLR camera, this lens is equivalent to a 60mm lens in 35mm terms.

Sturdy metal outer barrel
Pancake-style design
All-black design, matches pro SLR camera bodies
Ideal replacement for manufacturer's original prime lenses
Performance
Focal Length 40 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/2.0
Minimum: f/22
Camera Mount Type Nikon F
Format Compatibility Nikon FX/35mm Film
Nikon DX
Angle of View 57°
Minimum Focus Distance 1.25' (38 cm)
Magnification 0.14 - 0.25x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:7
Groups/Elements 5/6
Diaphragm Blades 9
Features
Image Stabilization No
Autofocus No
Tripod Collar No
Physical
Filter Thread 52 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 0.96 x 2.48" (2.44 x 6.30 cm)
Weight 7.05 oz (200 g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens
 
4.3

(based on 7 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (4)
  • Strong construction (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Landscape/scenery (3)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Photo enthusiast (4)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (5)

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 7 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-7

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    4.0

    A little lens for everything

    By Ken

    from Honolulu, HI

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • LightweightCompact
    • Metal body is well made

    Cons

    • Difficult to remove

    Best Uses

    • Indoors/Low Light
    • Landscape/Scenery
    • Night Photography
    • Portraits
    • Traveling casual street

    Comments about Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens:

    The metal body is well designed, especially the smooth feeling of the focus ring. I have used the Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2 SL II on a D60 and a D90. It is extremely compact and lightweight when attached to the Nikon D60.

    Also, the manual focus is not difficult to use because the little green dot with focus-confirmation works fine with Nikon (on D90, I also use the live view). The Ultron lens is perfect for walking about and capturing casual shots, its very sharp from f/2. However, the only disadvantage is that caution must be taken when attaching and removing the compact lens.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    Sharp and smooth

    By Ploop

    from Sydney, Australia

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Consistent Output
    • Durable
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

    • Slight Fringing

    Best Uses

    • Walk around lens

    Comments about Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens:

    This lens is amazing. From the solid build quality and the silky smooth focus ring to the razor sharp images. I would highly recommend this lens to anyone who is in the market for a good manual focus lens.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Excellent lens for Digiscoping

    By Blackpoll

    from Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Consistent Output
    • Easily Interchangeable
    • Lightweight
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Wildlife Photos

      Comments about Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens:

      This is a great lens when used for digiscoping in conjunction with Swarovski spotting scope and Nikon DSLR. There is no "vignetting" through the full range of the scope's eyepiece (25x to 50x).
      When used as a digiscoping lens it becomes capable of 1000mm to 2000mm lens without the crop factor.
      Photos attached show wildlife photographed from 150 feet away.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

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      (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Zeiss Quality at 1/3 the Price

      By Mr.H

      from British Columbia, Canada

      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Strong Construction
      • Unsurpassed image quality

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Landscape/Scenery
        • Weddings/Events

        Comments about Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens:

        This lens in on my D700. It is sharper than any Nikon lens I have had, including my 24 - 70 2.8. This lens has the same ethereal quality of a Zeiss lens, yet is substantially less expensive. The light weight and small size make it my constant companion. Manual focus is smooth and exact. Buy with confidence.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

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        (4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        What a Lens!

        By Keith

        from Temecula,Ca.

        About Me Photo Enthusiast

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Easily Interchangeable
        • Lightweight
        • Rugged
        • Strong Construction

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Indoors/Low Light
          • Landscape/Scenery

          Comments about Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens:

          I have wanted to cut down on the number of lenses I use. I saw this lens and read some good reviews, so I thought it might be good choice to replace my Nikkor 35mm 1:2.8 AIS and my Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D. I have been happy with both of these lenses.

          I purchased this from B&H to test against the above lenses.

          All I can say is, "WOW!!!". It has a look that is hard to explain.

          I had read that it was a lot sharper than any Nikon lens in that focal range. It is sharper than my 35mm and maybe a little sharper than the 50mm. What really got my attention was the detail in the shadow areas.

          I am not a pixel peeper, but I can easily pick out the pictures taken with this lens. They just seem to have a certain glow, and feel more alive and 3 dimensional.

          Add to that, the fact that it is smaller than either lens and I am sold. My bag will now be minus the 35 and 50. Replaced with this 40. It will be my standard lens on my D700.

          I just tried out the included close-up filter today and it works great. I used it to take pictures of the lenses I am selling. I like the lens shade as well.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

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          (6 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          Sharp, small, unobtrusive, quality build

          By Mister Big

          from San Francisco, CA

          About Me Semi-Professional

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Lightweight
          • Rugged

          Cons

            Best Uses

              Comments about Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens:

              I own the Nikon 45mm 2.8p and like it very much. However, I've always wanted it to be slightly wider and faster. Now Voigtlander has answered my wishes. The lens is well-made and seems quite sharp, though I have not done any tests with it. I use the lens on my full frame D700, and it makes traveling and street photography much easier. Because the D700 is the king of high ISO photography, I don't feel I need a normal lens faster than F2. The focusing ring has a nice, slightly damped silky smooth feel. The aperture ring is not as precise-feeling as the old AIS lenses, but certainly a cut above the AF-D lenses. The only downside for this lens is price. I recommend it if you don't have issues manually focusing and if you want to travel light and small.

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              (50 of 59 customers found this review helpful)

               
              3.0

              No Warranty in the U.S.

              By Aaron

              from Madison, WI

              About Me Semi-Professional

              Verified Reviewer

              Pros

              • Easy To Use
              • Image Quality
              • Lightweight

              Cons

              • No warranty

              Best Uses

              • Documentary
              • Everyday use
              • Traveling

              Comments about Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens:

              The lens is well built and it renders sharp images. The focusing ring is nice and smooth, making manual focus a joy.

              Although I would recommend this lens to others, beware of that no warranty service is provided in the U.S.

              Service and delivery comments:

              I purchased this lens in Feb 2008 and it worked well on my Nikon D50. After 4 months or so, the lens stopped to communicate with the camera and as a result the metering wouldn't work anymore. I think it's a failure of the CPU in the lens. My other Nikon lens still works on my camera, so it's not the camera's problem. Then I contacted Voigtlander for warranty services. Surprisingly, they told me they don't provide warranty services in the U.S., but only in Germany. I told the B&H customer service about this issue, but they couldn't solve it.

              The "1-year warranty" stated on the web site is misleading since neither Voigtlander nor B&H provides warranty services.

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              What's in the Box

              Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II Manual Focus Lens
              • Front & Rear Lens Caps
              • Close-Up Lens
              • Lens Hood
              • 1-Year Warranty
               
               
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