Voigtlander 40mm f2.8 Heliar Aspherical Lens with Leica M mount

The new Voigtlander 40mm f2.8 Heliar aspherical VM/L (M39) is a compact and all-purpose 35mm/full-frame lens with a lens configuration of five elements in three groups, based on Voigtländer’s traditional Heliar design.

The compact lens is available with two mounts: VM lens is a bayonet mount, and a rangefinder camera equipped with a function that automatically identifies the attached lens by mechanical interlocking displays the shooting range of the 50mm lens. The L mount lens uses a φ39mm screw mount so you can attach it to a rangefinder camera of the same standard.

In addition to the compact design, a highlight is the precisely manufactured focus lever, which can also be fixed using a locking mechanism. With a total length of 21.2 mm (VM version or M bayonet) or 20.2 mm (L version with M39mm screw mount), the lens itself remains comfortably squat on the camera and does not protrude into the viewfinder image of a rangefinder camera. The imaging performance is convincing even with an open aperture with very good sharpness right into the edge areas, the shortest shooting distance is 0.7 m. The lens presents itself in retro style on the outside, but its interior is based on the most modern optical calculations.

The weight is 131 g (VM variant) or 110 g (L variant with M39 connection). Both lenses are available in black or silver (lens hood and snap-on cover are only available in black – even with the silver version).

Price and availability

The recommended retail price is $549, and the lens is already listed at Bhphotovieo.com for your first pre-order booking.

Voigtlander 40mm f2.8 Heliar Aspherical specifications

• Focal length: 40mm
• Connection: Leica M bayonet (VM) / L screw thread (M39)
• Aperture: f/2.8
• Smallest aperture: f/22
• Optical construction: 5 lenses in 3 groups
• Angle of view: 57.0°
• Aperture blades: 10
• Minimum distance: 0.7 m
• Range finder clutch: ∞ ~ 0.7 m (depending on camera)
• Filter size: Ø 34 mm
• Maximum diameter: 52.0mm (VM) / 47.0mm (M39)
• Total length: 21.2mm (VM) / 20.2mm (M39)
• Weight: 131g (VM) / 110g (M39)

Earlier this year, Cosina has presented a new super-fast Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.0 Aspherical VM lens for cameras with a Leica M mount. The price of the new lens is $1,799 and is also available on the Bhphotovideo store.