VOIGTLÄNDER ULTRAMATIC

Name: Voigtländer Ultramatic
Brand: Voigtländer

The Voigtländer Ultramatic is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera produced between 1962 and 1968. Designed as an advanced update to the earlier Bessamatic series, it introduced improved metering and handling while retaining the unique leaf shutter system that defined Voigtländer’s SLR approach during the 1960s.

Overview

Introduced in 1962, the Voigtländer Ultramatic represented a significant step forward in the evolution of the company’s line of leaf-shutter SLR cameras. Positioned as a premium model above the original Bessamatic, the Ultramatic was aimed at serious amateur and semi-professional photographers seeking greater exposure control and improved metering accuracy. It retained the core design philosophy of the Bessamatic—featuring a leaf shutter integrated into the lens rather than a focal-plane shutter in the camera body—but enhanced usability with a full-aperture through-the-lens (TTL) selenium-cell exposure meter, a feature that was advanced for its time. This allowed photographers to compose and focus at the lens’s maximum aperture while still achieving accurate metering, a notable advantage over stop-down metering systems used by many contemporaries.

The Ultramatic was offered in two primary variants: the standard Ultramatic and the slightly upgraded Ultramatic CS (Compact Shutter), introduced later in the production run. Both models used the DKL (Deckel) bayonet mount, a proprietary lens mount co-developed by Zeiss Ikon and used by several German manufacturers, which limited lens compatibility but ensured high optical quality with Voigtländer’s own Ultron, Color-Skopar, and Noktor lenses. The camera featured a fixed pentaprism and a vertically traveling metal-bladed shutter built into each lens, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/4 to 1/500 second, plus B and T settings. Unlike typical focal-plane SLRs of the era, the leaf shutter enabled flash synchronization at all speeds, a major advantage for studio and flash photography.

Despite its technical sophistication, the Ultramatic arrived at a transitional moment in SLR development. By the mid-1960s, Japanese manufacturers such as Nikon, Canon, and Pentax were advancing rapidly with focal-plane shutter SLRs that offered interchangeable lenses with standardized mounts and faster maximum shutter speeds. Voigtländer’s continued reliance on DKL-mount leaf-shutter lenses limited expansion and adaptability, ultimately constraining the Ultramatic’s market reach. Nevertheless, the camera remains a respected example of German engineering precision and innovative design in a niche segment 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 Voigtländer Ultramatic was launched during a pivotal period in SLR development. In the early 1960s, SLRs were gaining popularity among advanced amateurs and professionals due to their versatility, TTL viewing, and growing lens ecosystems. Voigtländer, historically known for rangefinders and compact cameras, had entered the SLR market with the Bessamatic in 1959. The Ultramatic refined that design, addressing key limitations—particularly the metering system—by introducing full-aperture TTL metering, a feature that competitors like the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B had only recently adopted.

However, the Ultramatic faced stiff competition from emerging Japanese SLRs. Cameras like the Nikon F (1959), Canon FX (1964), and Pentax Spotmatic (1964) featured focal-plane shutters, M42 screw mounts with broad lens compatibility, and rapidly improving metering systems. These models offered greater flexibility and expandability, appealing to a wider professional market. Voigtländer’s reliance on the proprietary DKL mount and leaf-shutter lenses, while technically elegant, proved to be a commercial disadvantage. By the late 1960s, Voigtländer’s financial struggles led to a decline in innovation, and the Ultramatic was discontinued in 1968 without a direct successor.

Collectibility & Value

Today, the Voigtländer Ultramatic is valued by collectors 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 equipped with high-speed Noktor or Ultron lenses command higher prices. The selenium meter, while functional in many surviving units, is prone to degradation over time; a darkened or cracked meter cell is common and cannot be easily repaired, though it does not affect mechanical operation.

When purchasing an Ultramatic, collectors should verify 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 ensuring proper lens seating and coupling is essential. Due to limited production numbers and the brand’s eventual decline, original accessories and documentation are rare and increase value significantly. While not as widely used today as M42 or Nikon F-mount cameras, the Ultramatic 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 requires no batteries for operation, as its selenium-cell meter generates power from light exposure. However, these cells degrade over decades and often cease to function; replacement is impractical, though the camera operates mechanically without it. Shutter maintenance is best performed by specialists familiar with DKL-mount leaf shutters, as disassembly is complex and calibration-sensitive. Common issues include stiff aperture blades, sluggish shutter speeds, and light seals deterioration. Replacement foam light seals and careful cleaning of the viewfinder prism and focusing screen are recommended for regular use. Due to the scarcity of service parts, preventive maintenance and gentle handling are crucial for long-term preservation.