The Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 is one of two new lenses from Voigtlander, sold in the UK by Robert White; the other is the Nokton 58mm f1.4. Voigtlander may be known for its film-based rangefinder cameras and optics, but these two lenses come in Nikon and Pentax fittings and will work with modern DSLRs as well as film cameras.

Fitted to an SLR with an APS-C- sized sensor, the 40mm f2 has a focal factor of 1.5-1.6, so that on the Nikon D60 we tested it with, it’s the equivalent of a 60mm lens – you could think of it as a long standard lens or a short portrait lens. Fitted to a full-frame Nikon D3,

of course it would be a genuine 40mm f2.

This is an SLR version of an existing Voigtlander ‘pancake’ design. The lens protrudes barely 3cm from the camera body, and actually makes for a great combination with the compact D60 body we tested it with.

The point about this lens (and the 58mm f1.4) is that there’s no autofocus. These are traditional lenses for photographers who are used to focusing manually. This isn’t as easy with the small viewfinders of DSLRs (compared to older film cameras), especially since they don’t have any focusing aids like microprisms. Nevertheless, it is possible to focus with some accuracy as long as you’re careful. And at smaller apertures, of course, there’s enough depth of field to prevent it being a problem.

It’s when you’re forced to focus manually that you realise what you’ve been missing with autofocus. Manual focusing concentrates your mind more on depth of field rather than single planes of sharp focus – something of a forgotten art with today’s cameras, partly because autofocus systems take it out of your hands and partly because it’s difficult to calculate or predict. Here, the Ultron has the answer. Depth of field markings on the distance scale let you gauge depth of field or hyperfocal distances very quickly – something that’s just not possible with zooms.

Build quality is simply superb. The Focusing ring has a smoothness and a weight you don’t get on any zoom, at any price. The Aperture ring is also firm, with positive click-stops. Note, though, that this must be left on the smallest aperture (f22) for use with a DSLR, since these cameras control the aperture from the body. In this respect, Voigtlander’s done a great job to make an ostensibly ‘manual’ lens work properly with all the PASM modes of a DSLR. As long as you keep it set to f22 and remember to focus, it behaves just like any other lens. You don’t even have to set the camera to manual focus – the CPU in the lens communicates all the necessary information automatically.

The most impressive characteristic of all, though, is the image quality. Predictably, it’s a little soft at f2, and only hits its stride at f4, but from here right down to f11, it proves to be an exceptionally sharp lens. Because it’s a prime lens there’s no distortion, and while there is some chromatic aberration at the edges of the frame, it’s at far lower levels than you’d expect from a zoom.

We seem to have become hooked on zooms and autofocus, yet it’s perfectly possible to take pictures without either. The Ultron 40mm f2 is a superb lens, and an inexpensive reminder that there are other ways to visualise, compose and take pictures than just pointing and clicking with an autofocus zoom.

Final Verdict Excels in low light, produces wonderful shallow depth of field effects and encourages a different approach to photography OVERALL

Our lens reviewer, and technical expert, Rod is a veritable photographic encyclopaedia. His illustrious CV has seen him write for many mags, websites and journals.