Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2

The Voigtländer APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 is a manual focus portrait lens with the VM bayonet, compatible with Leica M. Cosina announced it in December 2024 as a fast, compact apochromatic 90 mm for rangefinder cameras, and it can be used on mirrorless cameras with an adapter. The lens covers full frame.

Optical design

The lens has 8 elements in 7 groups, and six of the eight elements are made of anomalous partial dispersion glass. According to Cosina, the apochromatic design brings the axial chromatic aberration of red, green and blue as close to zero as possible. The diaphragm has 12 blades to keep the opening round, so that out-of-focus areas and point light sources are rendered softly rather than as polygons, as Cosina puts it. The aperture range is f/2 to f/16.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual through an all-metal helicoid with a defined torque. The rangefinder coupling runs from infinity to 0.9 m, and the minimum focus distance is also 0.9 m. Cosina notes that the lens does not protrude into the viewfinder frame, which matters on rangefinder cameras. A metal bayonet hood is included and can be mounted in reverse for carrying. The lens comes in silver and black.

Build and size

The lens weighs 340 g, is 63.3 mm long and 61.9 mm in diameter, and takes 52 mm filters. The angle of view is 27.4 degrees. Cosina emphasises the compact length, which is short for a 90 mm f/2.

Where it fits

Among 90 mm lenses for Leica M in the database, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH weighs 500 g, the Leica Summarit-M 90mm F2.4 ASPH 346 g and the Leica Summarit-M 90mm f/2.5 360 g. The Kipon Iberit 90mm f/2.4 is 340 g. The Voigtländer APO-Ultron is f/2 at the weight of the f/2.4 lenses. For a slightly shorter focal length there are the Nokton 75mm f/1.5 (350 g) and the Zeiss Sonnar T* 2/85 ZM (500 g).

Pros and cons

Pros

• f/2 apochromatic design with 6 elements of anomalous partial dispersion glass
• 12 blades for round out-of-focus areas
• 63.3 mm long, 340 g
• Does not protrude into the viewfinder frame, according to Cosina
• Reversible metal hood included

Cons

• Manual focus only
• Minimum focus distance of 0.9 m limits close ups
• 52 mm filter thread is larger than on smaller M lenses

Verdict

The APO-Ultron 90mm f/2 is a compact, fast apochromatic portrait lens for Leica M and VM cameras. It suits photographers who work at 90 mm with a rangefinder and want f/2 without the weight of larger 90 mm lenses, accepting a minimum focus distance of 0.9 m.