Shootist Posted July 15, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 15, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm think about buying one of these and forget if there was one version or 2 versions of this lens. I know there was 2 versions of the Tri-Elmar (28mm, 35mm, 50mm) but can't remember about the WATE. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 Hi Shootist, Take a look here WATE Lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lars_bergquist Posted July 15, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 15, 2009 One only. The old man from the Age B.Z. (Before Zooms) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted July 15, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 15, 2009 One only, but it is available both in black or chrome finish (or, at least, I saw some items in chrome... not sure if it's still listed like that) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjr Posted July 15, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 15, 2009 Only one and its black.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posto 6 Posted July 21, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 21, 2009 I bought one, but have since sold the lens- there are better combinations for your money, imho, as the lens is slow, has a very cumbersome viewfinder (and filters) and is rather bulky and unfortunate in it's handling. Spend a little more, buy the Summilux-21, and a 15mm Voigtlander- you will find something like this combination far more useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_l Posted July 22, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 22, 2009 I find that having the MATE and WATE in the bag gives me a lot of options for not much space. It is nice to be able to adjust focal length without having to mess with changing lenses, especially in harsh environments (dust, sand, rain, etc.) or situations where I'm moving around (e.g., weddings). I don't find the slow speed a problem - the M8 is great, just give the ISO a little bump....and even though the WATE focal lengths seem close together, there is actually a pretty dramatic difference in the FOV and perspective.... and just as an FYI. it looks like I'll be selling my WATE and entire Leica kit. I hadn't quite gotten to accept it yet, but need the cash. Drop me a line if you are interested.(M8, 21, 24, MATE and WATE, with Universal Finder, Leica UV and Milich adapter, and Leica filter holder). -Steve slipsey@alum.mit.edu 978-387-4184 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted July 22, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I bought one, but have since sold the lens- there are better combinations for your money, imho, as the lens is slow, has a very cumbersome viewfinder (and filters) and is rather bulky and unfortunate in it's handling. Spend a little more, buy the Summilux-21, and a 15mm Voigtlander- you will find something like this combination far more useful. I disagree. I had both the 21 Elmarit and the CV 15. I thought the CV 15 marvellous but once you get the WATE you really understand the quality of Leica lenses versus the alternatives. Personally, I look on it as 16 f4 which can also be used as a 18 or 21. LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted July 22, 2009 Share #8 Posted July 22, 2009 I disagree. I had both the 21 Elmarit and the CV 15. I thought the CV 15 marvellous but once you get the WATE you really understand the quality of Leica lenses versus the alternatives. Personally, I look on it as 16 f4 which can also be used as a 18 or 21. LouisB ly I do not have the WATE but I do have the MATE and find it a superb lens with focal lengths that truly make sense on a M8 or M6. I recentlrently initiated a thread "Leica M Lens - current offering what should I buy?" that was well responded to and you may find useful. Several people said that the WATE was only ever used for the 16mm focal length, although one person used it for both 16 and 18mm. The general feedback was why buy the WATE (at £3629) when the considerably cheaper 18mm (£1849) is available. Some people also pointed out that at some point a M9 FF will be available most likely and that is perhaps favoring the 21mm (f2.8) at £2665. There was considerable critque about the difficulty of setting up the WATE lens at different focal lengths which I would check out. Likewise the viewfinder was not liked at all and some people do not bother with it at such a wide angle. I have personally given up the idea of buying the WATE and will probably go in the direction of the 18mm.....I have tried it at a dealer and it is a lovely lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted July 22, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 22, 2009 ]Several people said that the WATE was only ever used for the 16mm focal length, although one person used it for both 16 and 18mm. The general feedback was why buy the WATE (at £3629) when the considerably cheaper 18mm (£1849) is available I don't disagree. But I would point out that I bought my WATE second hand for considerably less than the new price. I also noticed yesterday that Ffordes is selling a WATE without the Frankenfinder for £1800. I don't think I have yet bought a Leica lens brand new. I would buy brand new if I could afford one of the newer exotic lenses and in fact that is probably the only way you could get the 18mm. I'll leave you with one final thought. A 16/18/21 lens on a full frame DRF would be awesome.... LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted July 22, 2009 Share #10 Posted July 22, 2009 I use the WATE at all of its focal lengths as I have no other lenses in that range. When you change the focal length on the WATE you have to remember to make that same change in the camera if using an M8 and on the WATE viewfinder (taking into account the crop factor if you are using the M8). It is very easy to forget to coordinate all these changes and if you dont get it right then colour shifts will appear in the corners. The Frankenfinder as it is so aptly named actually produces an extremely good and bright view and the bubble level is also useful. It may be ugly but it does work well. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pekem Posted April 2, 2012 Share #11 Posted April 2, 2012 I'm think about buying one of these and forget if there was one version or 2 versions of this lens.I know there was 2 versions of the Tri-Elmar (28mm, 35mm, 50mm) but can't remember about the WATE. Thanks I noticed a question was asked of a seller of a WATE on eBay recently which causes me to ask this question again. The question was "can you tell me manufacturer's product number of this item? #11642 or #11626 " Is there a difference between lenses of those part numbers ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 2, 2012 Share #12 Posted April 2, 2012 #11642 is the latest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted April 2, 2012 Share #13 Posted April 2, 2012 11626 is the number of the lens itself; 11642 is the number of the lens + finder package. The finder's number, by the way, is 12011. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pekem Posted April 2, 2012 Share #14 Posted April 2, 2012 #11642 is the latest. Thank you for that. Notwithstanding the remarks of 01af, above, how does the "latest" differ from the earlier ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted April 2, 2012 Share #15 Posted April 2, 2012 See post above. There is only one issue of this lens. Packed accessories may differ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted April 2, 2012 Share #16 Posted April 2, 2012 ... how does the "latest" differ from the earlier ? See post #13. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pekem Posted April 2, 2012 Share #17 Posted April 2, 2012 See post #13. Yes, thank you for that. I wonder if you would say that the remarks by algrove are simply wrong. It appears to conflict with your view which is of course supported by vanhulsenbeek Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted April 2, 2012 Share #18 Posted April 2, 2012 For what it's worth: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Leica+%2311642&_sacat=0&_odkw=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.l-camera-forum.com%2Fleica-forum%2Fpeople%2F231073-lover-girl.html&_osacat=0&_from=R40 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 2, 2012 Share #19 Posted April 2, 2012 Yes, thank you for that. I wonder if you would say that the remarks by algrove are simply wrong. It appears to conflict with your view which is of course supported by vanhulsenbeek Did not mean to mislead anyone-I am away on business and cannot look at my WATE purchased in January to see what the box and/or lens say. WIFI above mentions 2 part numbers. Mine came with finder. The PN of #11642 I quoted is also what B&H sells. I have no knowledge if there was an earlier version than the one offered right now. Thought I was helping, but I guess not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted April 2, 2012 Share #20 Posted April 2, 2012 Yes, thank you for that. I wonder if you would say that the remarks by algrove are simply wrong. It appears to conflict with your view which is of course supported by vanhulsenbeek Well, no it doesn't conflict with Algrove's view. The same WATE 16-18-21/4 lens was offered for sale as two options: Option 1: the lens only: 11646 Option 2: the lens plus viewfinder:11642 Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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