VM compact Lens Color Skopar VM 21mm F4P
A review of the COLOR SKOPAR 21mm F4P used with the LEICA M8, along with sample photos.
Table of contents
Gallery
The sample photos were taken with a Leica M8.
Review
1．Overview
The Voigtlander COLOR SKOPAR 21mm F4P is a wide-angle lens with a VM mount from Cosina Voigtlander.
This lens is a redesigned version of the Voigtlander COLOR SKOPAR L39 21mm with an L39 screw mount, converted to a VM (Leica M) mount.
2．Usability
The difference between the Voigtlander COLOR SKOPAR 21mm F4P and the Voigtlander COLOR SKOPAR L39 21mm is that the focus ring and aperture ring have finger grips, making it easier to change the aperture and focus.
Since the lens structure is the same, it is difficult to find any differences in the image quality from the L39 version.
Examples of film and EPSON R-D1 photos are shown in the L39 screw mount version.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the advantage of the Voigtlander COLOR SKOPAR 21mm F4P is that it does not require an LM conversion ring. However, this means that it can no longer be used with Barnack Leicas, including compatible cameras, so if you are using an L39 screw-mount camera, you have no choice but to choose the old model.
The new model also has a similar design to the Nokton 40mm, but personally I prefer the old model’s design.
Specification and Competitor
Voigtlander has four VM-mount 21mm lenses, and this lens is similar to the COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line 21mm type-I (hereinafter referred to as Type 1) released in 2019, but as of 2024, they are both sold together.
Although the two lenses have similar specifications, the lens configuration has evolved over the past 12 years. The Color Skopar 21mm has a classic configuration of 6 groups and 8 elements with only spherical lenses, while the COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line 21mm has a new design of 8 groups and 9 elements with one aspherical lens, which seems to ensure peripheral light and reduce aberration.
Due to this change, the COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line 21mm lens is slightly larger than the Color Skopar. If you are looking for a more compact lens, the Color Skopar is a good choice.
Looking at the official page of the COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line 21mm, Cosina released the COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line 21mm type-I (hereinafter referred to as Type 1) in 2019, but two years later in 2021, they released the COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line 21mm type-II (hereinafter referred to as Type 2) with a changed finger grip shape of the focus ring. Type 1 will be discontinued in 2024.
The change is that the finger grip of the focus ring of Type 1 is rod-shaped (lever type) like the L39 screw mount version of the Color Skopar 21mm, while the finger grip of the focus ring of Type 2 is a bifurcated block shape like this lens. I used both the L39 screw mount version and the VM version of the lens, and I didn’t feel any difference in focus operation with either shape.
| Item | NOKTON | ULTRON | COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line | COLOR SKOPAR |
| focal length(mm) | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Maximum aperture | 1.4 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 4 |
| Minimum aperture | 16 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Aperture blade | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Lens configuration | 13 elements in 11 groups | 13 elements in 11 groups | 8 groups 9 elements | 8 elements in 6 groups |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Lens length(mm) | 69.7 | 78.4 | 30 | 25.4 |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 69.5 | 69.0 | 52 | 55 |
| Filter type | 62 | 58 | 39 | 39 |
| Weight(g) | 480 | 412 | 180/220 | 136(VM) |
| Lens mount | VM | VM | VM | VM/L39 |
| Release date | 2020.2.27 | 2012.12.19 | 2019.1.25 2021.12.16 | 2007.4.25(VM) |
| Price | -150,000 | 118,000 | -95,000 | 55,000(VM) |
Reference links
- Leica Lenses of the World Part 3 (P72) / COLOR SKOPAR 21mm・Ads by Amazon
- COLOR SKOPAR Vintage Line・official page
- COLOR SKOPAR 21mm L39・Shige’s hobby
Update history
- 2025.6.13
Affiliate links
- Voigtlander lens・Ads by Amazon
- Voigtlander books・Ads by Amazon
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