[Leica M] I bought this lens because Ken Rockwell described it as the best 21mm lens for Leica including $5K+ Leica lenses, and I enjoy making street photographs using a pre-focused (zone focusing) technique with it. I get exquisite results pre-focusing to 1.5 meters at f/8 of f/11 as lighting conditions allow. Sure its not very fast, so I have started using flash with it in the evenings. I have plenty of the top rated Fuji lenses, so I know exactly what I am missing in not having an auto-exposing, auto-focusing lens, but for this application, it doesn't matter at all (I enjoy the Fuji lenses for quick-gunned sweet portraiture). The concern documented about the rear nodal point being too close to the sensor, and the light beams being too acute on the corners of the sensor, seems to be a bigger problem for full frame cameras than APS-C sensor cameras, so the vignetting on the corners is minimal and can in B&W actually be appreciated as 'character' in the images. I bought the discontinued voigtlander hood for it from Japan, and must say that I get a lot of what kind of camera is that acknowledgements of how sexy of a kit I have with that lens and hood on (just sayin')

[f/16] The build quality, as others have said, is spectacular. The haptic feeling of manually operating the diaphragm makes my shooting experience more fun.


Optically it is pretty much perfect, at least on the cropped sensor of my Fuji X-T3. It's contrasty and sharp even wide open. I am not seeing any color casts, in fact the colors are nearly identical to Fuji'x own 23mm f/2.


I bought it for zone focusing capabilities, for situations when I cannot rely on autofocus and it's been great for that.

[f/16] well constructed lens. smallest 21 mm, no noticeable distortion. Beautiful lens at any price, a steal at $.

[f/2.2] I bought this lens for my M9 with some trepidation. I have read reviews online saying that you should only use it on film Leicas and not on an M9 because it produces a magenta shift in the corners due to the rear of the lens being too close to the sensor. Anyway, I bought it because I cannot afford a genuine Leica 21mm at this time. Well, to my surprise there is NO magenta cast either on my m9 or my Sony A6000. Also, I compared pictures taken with this lens on my M9 with pictures taken with my A6000 and the Zeiss Touit 12mm lens (18mm equivalent) and the Voightlander lens is FAR SHARPER than the Zeiss lens. The focusing doesn't have the same feel as a Leica lens, but all in all a fabulous lens.

[Leica M] I purchased this lens because of its compact size and light weight. It makes thinner bodied M-mount (film & M10) cameras easily pocketable in a sport coat or fishing vest. Mechanically, it has the familiar feal and function of a Leica M lens. For my purposes, the images seem sharp and contrasty. I was especially impressed with the way it can handle flare from direct sunlight without haze, ghosting or other reflections. It is useful wide-open (f:4). Attached are two sample images.

[39 mm (Front)] Incredibly sharp. Also since it doesn't go down to 2.8 the lens is quite light weight and for it's width you can't beat its price and quality.

[Manual Focus] Got my 21mm Voigtlander and took it for a couple of test runs. Results

were excellent. Nice sharp, contrasty images. Got excellent depth of field images in a dark cathedral, 2 feet to infinity. Fits the Leica M9 perfectly. Only problem is it is so small that big fingered people

have to be careful to not upset the f/stop ring when focusing.

Great to have a lens made of METAL and not cheaper plastics. I have , and have had, Voigtlander film cameras and the 21mm carries on the Voigtlander reputation for excellent optics and workmanship.

[f/2.2] Voigtlander lenses are generally viewed as cheap, not as good, alternatives to Leica glass, but the 21mm Color-Skopar is one the few that is BETTER in almost every way than the equivalent LM or ZM lens. Sharp corners, minimal vignetting, nice contrast, tiny, and light. A perfect lens, and that's before mentioning the dirt cheap price.

[f/2.2] Just got it in the mail. Did some test shot. I like to talk bads first. Very minor distortion. Cheap feel hood although it's metal(anodised aluminium) it's 3.5grand in weight. 130g for lens. I wish it's heavier. (it's all metal tho) Used on a7ii body with 20$adapter. Focus ring is bit loose for my taste. And you have to use tab to focus, the ring itself can be hard to grip in general(this is subjective) Goods: sharp, tiny, inexpensive, cute(I value it a lot ^^), perfect for alpha7 combo alone with ibis to help low light situation.

[Manual Focus] Outstanding