lpeeples Posted February 6, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 6, 2015 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 21 lux but want a wider lens for urban landscape work. Somewhere in the 15-16 range. I am looking at the Zeiss 15 2.8 but it seems pretty big and is $4600 new. I found a used WATE for around $4200. That seems like a good price and Its smaller, which I like and gives me both the three focal lengths (mostly 16). However, the F4 has me wondering. Does anyone with a WATE find the F4 a problem or anyone with the Zeiss find the size a headache? Used with a M240. Edited February 6, 2015 by lpeeples Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Hi lpeeples, Take a look here Wide Lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jdlaing Posted February 6, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 6, 2015 I have a 21 lux but want a wider lens for urban landscape work. Somewhere in the 15-16 range. I am looking at the Zeiss 15 2.8 but it seems pretty big and is $4600 new. I found a used WATE for around $4200. That seems like a good price and Its smaller, which I like and gives me both the three focal lengths (mostly 16). However, the F4 has me wondering. Does anyone with a WATE find the F4 a problem or anyone with the Zeiss find the size a headache? Used with a M240. I have the WATE and have never had a problem with the f4. I wouldn't be without mine. It should suit you well for Urban Landscape. If that price is with the multi viewfinder it is a damn good price. If not, the Olympus EVF will suit you fine. My personal preference is the Leica "frankenfinder". Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted February 6, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 6, 2015 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/architecture/323372-hopkins-county-texas.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpeeples Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted February 6, 2015 The Universal Viewfinder is not included. It still seemed like a good price though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted February 6, 2015 Share #5 Posted February 6, 2015 The Universal Viewfinder is not included. It still seemed like a good price though. Very good price. The EVF works great. I'm just an old timer that likes OVF. The Franenfinder is expensive at $895.00 Live view was a life saver for the WATE without the OVF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 6, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 6, 2015 ...and gives me both the three focal lengths (mostly 16). The WATE can be used at intermediate settings as a true zoom. I don't own it, but this aspect has been discussed. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted February 6, 2015 Share #7 Posted February 6, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I did not know that ^. I wouldn't even consider spending 4 grand on a lens but I always thought the 16-18-21 would be a useful lens, moreso than 28-35-50 because the shorter the focal length the greater the difference between FOV. I use the CV 15 and then jump to a 21, but there are times when those intermediate FOV's would come in very handy especially in cramped quarters where foot-zooming is impractical or impossible. I always thought the Frankenfinder totally ridiculous as it's something like half again the size of an M body, but with the M240 and EVF I can imagine the WATE would be an awesome travel lens. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macjonny1 Posted February 6, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 6, 2015 Sold my WATE when I had my M9 and bought it again when I got the M240. Hated the optical VFs. Love the EFV with wides. Yes it is a true zoom that clicks into each FL but all are usable. The F4 is not a problem at those focal lengths although if you want that shallow DOF at 21 only the lux will do. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted February 6, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 6, 2015 I use to own the WATE and like Jeff said it can be used as a true zoom. I've never used the 15mm distagon and I really love Zeiss lenses. The distagon however is known to heavily vignette so after using the center filter it's basically an f4 lens anyway but I'm sure it has more of the Zeiss look compared to the WATE. The f4 is no problem in most cases since the focal length is quite wide, if you're doing some serious landscape work I'd assume you'd want to use a tripod anyway. It's an extremely impressive performer across the range and some of its qualities even beats the SEM. The frankenfinder is dead accurate and its not as big as some people complain it to be. The biggest drawback if it is one is that you simply won't get shallow DOF with it and its horrible for close range portraits. Also be mindful that its impractical to use a protective filter on it and the front element happily protrudes out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpwhite Posted February 6, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 6, 2015 The WATE I tried was very good, and quite beautiful to look at. My limited experience backed up what I read on the forum... f/4 is its best aperture. I sold my Zeiss 15mm about three years ago because it is very large, and I found closer focus to be dicey (now, an M20 could mitigate the latter issue. Have you tested the Super-Elmar 18mm? It is a star performer in all respects and, given what it produces, very small and compact. The drawing of the SEM is exquisite, IMHO, and the edges are better than either the 15mm or 16mm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpeeples Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted February 6, 2015 I hadn't thought of the 18. 18 is pretty close to 21 though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Clennan Posted February 11, 2015 Share #12 Posted February 11, 2015 The ZM18 is an awesome lens with the M240 as well. Such a strong performer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted February 12, 2015 Share #13 Posted February 12, 2015 I have a 21 and 18 and can support the significant difference in viewing angle between the 21 and 18, the 18 SEM is extraordinary in terms of resolution and colour neutrality. I do wish it was a stop faster though I also have the VC 15 and 12. Both okay the 12 is better than the colour shifting 15. Worth noting the perspective differences between wide and superwide Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayewing Posted February 12, 2015 Share #14 Posted February 12, 2015 There is a new version of the Voigtlander 15mm due to be released soon. It is said to have little or no color shift so is an improvement on the current version. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Louis Marit Posted February 14, 2015 Share #15 Posted February 14, 2015 I have the WATE and it is my second favorite lens. When I went to Poland last summer I took the MM with the Summicron 35 on it and the M with the WATE on it I got some great images with it, I tend to favour wide however as my personal preference. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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