VOIGTLANDER ULTRAMATIC

Name: Voigtlander Ultramatic
Brand: Voigtlander

The Voigtlander Ultramatic is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera made between 1962 and 1968. It was an advanced update of the earlier Bessamatic series, with better metering and handling. It kept the leaf shutter system that set Voigtlander's 1960s SLRs apart.

Overview

The Ultramatic came out in 1962 as a step up in the company's line of leaf-shutter SLRs. It sat above the original Bessamatic and was aimed at serious amateur and semi-professional photographers who wanted more exposure control and better metering accuracy. It kept the Bessamatic's core design - a leaf shutter built into the lens instead of a focal-plane shutter in the body - and added a full-aperture through-the-lens (TTL) selenium-cell exposure meter, which was advanced for its time. You could compose and focus at the lens's maximum aperture and still get accurate metering. Many contemporaries used stop-down metering, so this was a real advantage.

The Ultramatic came in two primary variants: the standard Ultramatic and the slightly upgraded Ultramatic CS (Compact Shutter), introduced later in the production run. Both used the DKL (Deckel) bayonet mount, a proprietary lens mount co-developed by Zeiss Ikon and used by several German manufacturers. It limited lens choice but ensured high optical quality with Voigtlander's own Ultron, Color-Skopar, and Noktor lenses. The camera had a fixed pentaprism and a vertically traveling metal-bladed shutter built into each lens, with speeds from 1/4 to 1/500 second, plus B and T settings. Typical focal-plane SLRs of the era could not do this, but the leaf shutter allowed flash synchronization at all speeds, a major advantage for studio and flash work.

The Ultramatic was technically sophisticated, but it arrived at a transitional moment in SLR development. By the mid-1960s, Japanese manufacturers such as Nikon, Canon, and Pentax were moving fast with focal-plane shutter SLRs. Those offered interchangeable lenses on standardized mounts and faster maximum shutter speeds. Voigtlander kept relying on DKL-mount leaf-shutter lenses, which limited expansion and adaptability and held back the Ultramatic's market reach. The camera is still a respected example of German engineering precision in a niche corner of SLR history.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135 cartridge)
Years Produced	1962–1968
Lens Mount	DKL (Deckel) bayonet mount
Shutter	Leaf shutter (in lens), speeds: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 sec, B, T
Metering	TTL selenium-cell meter (full-aperture), match-needle display in viewfinder
Exposure Modes	Manual exposure with meter-assist
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism, eye-level, with central split-image rangefinder and microprism collar
Dimensions	Approx. 140 × 95 × 90 mm; weight: ~750 g (body with standard lens)

Key Features

Through-the-lens (TTL) selenium metering at full aperture, eliminating the need to stop down for exposure readings.
Leaf shutter in lens enables flash sync at all shutter speeds (X-sync at 1/500 sec).
Match-needle exposure system displayed in the viewfinder for precise manual exposure control.
Integrated pentaprism with split-image focusing aid, offering bright, eye-level viewing.
B and T shutter settings for long exposures and time photography, controlled via shutter release.

Historical Context

The Ultramatic was launched during a pivotal period in SLR development. In the early 1960s, SLRs were gaining popularity among advanced amateurs and professionals because of their versatility, TTL viewing, and growing lens ecosystems. Voigtlander was historically known for rangefinders and compact cameras, and had entered the SLR market with the Bessamatic in 1959. The Ultramatic refined that design and addressed its key limitation, the metering system, with full-aperture TTL metering. Competitors like the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B had only recently adopted the feature.

The Ultramatic also faced stiff competition from emerging Japanese SLRs. Cameras like the Nikon F (1959), Canon FX (1964), and Pentax Spotmatic (1964) had focal-plane shutters, M42 screw mounts with broad lens compatibility, and rapidly improving metering systems. They offered more flexibility and expandability, and appealed to a wider professional market. Voigtlander's proprietary DKL mount and leaf-shutter lenses were technically elegant but a commercial disadvantage. By the late 1960s, Voigtlander's financial struggles led to a decline in innovation, and the Ultramatic was discontinued in 1968 without a direct successor.

Collectibility & Value

Collectors value the Ultramatic for its engineering quality, historical significance, and distinctive design. Well-preserved examples with functioning meters and sharp viewfinders typically sell for $250 - $450, depending on condition and included lens. Models with high-speed Noktor or Ultron lenses command higher prices. The selenium meter still works in many surviving units, but it degrades over time. A darkened or cracked meter cell is common and cannot be easily repaired, though it does not affect mechanical operation.

Before buying an Ultramatic, check that the shutter operates correctly at all speeds, the lens elements are free of haze and fungus, and the focusing mechanism is smooth. The DKL mount's complexity can lead to alignment issues, so make sure the lens seats and couples properly. Production numbers were limited and the brand eventually declined, so original accessories and documentation are rare and add significant value. The Ultramatic is not as widely used today as M42 or Nikon F-mount cameras, but it holds a niche appeal for enthusiasts of German optical engineering and mid-century SLR innovation.

Similar Cameras

Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B (1965)
Kodak Retina Reflex IV (1964)
Braun Paxette Reflex (1958–1960)
Wirgin Edixa-Matra (1960s)
Ricoh Singlex (1962)

Repair & Maintenance

The Ultramatic needs no batteries, since its selenium-cell meter generates power from light. These cells degrade over decades and often stop working. Replacement is impractical, though the camera operates mechanically without it. Shutter maintenance is best left to specialists familiar with DKL-mount leaf shutters, because disassembly is complex and calibration-sensitive. Common issues include stiff aperture blades, sluggish shutter speeds, and deteriorated light seals. Replacement foam light seals and careful cleaning of the viewfinder prism and focusing screen are recommended for regular use. Service parts are scarce, so preventive maintenance and gentle handling are crucial for long-term preservation.