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CV 21/4 or CV15/4.5 pics on M240


michaelbrenner

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Can anyone post a pic or two, color, unmodified, taken with M240 using Voigtlander 21/4 and/or Voitlander 15/4.5? I'm looking for an affordable, compact wide-angle for my M240 and heard that these lenses as possible alternatives, while affordable but quite good, nonetheless have some problems with the M240 due to distance to sensor. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

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If you go to post #23 in this thread,

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-type-240/366463-m-benefits-architectural-shoot-2.html

 

you'll see a pix using the CV15/4.5 on the M(240). Note the fringing at either side. I did not get a suggestion from anyone about which lens identifier to use to eliminate this.

 

I like this lens as infinity, but not at close focus. When focused close it gives a bokeh that I do not care for.

 

Regards, Bill

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Bill's architectural image illustrates the problem with colour shift at the edges of the image when using the CV15mm. I have tried several different lens codes but none of them eliminate the problem. Both vignetting and colour shift can be cleared up in post processing. Cornerfix works well.

 

There is a new version of the CV15mm which is a redesign of the lens but it does not seem to be available yet and I have not seen any reviews. It is to be hoped that it will not have the same problems as the current version which is quite an old design pre-dating digital photography.

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I found an article by Steve Huff (http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/07/12/question-does-the-voigtlander-15mm-f4-5-work-on-the-m-240/) covering the CV15/4.5 on the M240 with pics. I'm unable to locate anything covering the CV 21/4 on the M240. I was hoping some forum members with M240's might also have one or both of these lenses and be able to offer comments and especially pics of the two lenses in action on an M240.

 

The other question I have regarding both of these lenses is distortion. Do people near the edges look like paper cutouts? If I take an architectural picture, will it hold up?

 

The color fringing doesn't bother me as much as elongated bodies at the edges (makes them look fat), people looking like paper cutouts, or distortion so that architectural lines are way off.

 

Doesn't have to be perfect. I just would like to get some anecdotes and pictures.

 

I started by checking out the Leica 21/2.8 and 21/3.4 and the WATE, but they are quite a bit more expensive than the CV lenses and are much larger and bulkier and heavier. Some of the reviews I've seen on the CV15/4.5 and CV21/4 seemed quite favorable but were not done on an M240, which is what I have. I'm looking for a portable solution with reasonable results with a good value proposition.

 

All my other lenses are Leica, so I'm a bit reluctant to get a CV, but I thought I'd see what people here had to offer on the subject.

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I have the CV 15/4.5 (v1).

It is a nice little lens, very sharp, with very low geometric distortion (ideal for architecture).

Please note that geometric distortion (barrel, pincushion, et cetera) is not the same as perspective distortion, which is obviously noticeable at the borders of the image using a 15mm lens, especially with human subjects.

 

The only problems I see with this lens are:

- Color vignetting on digital M cameras, that cannot be corrected with any M profile. The Cornerfix application works fine, but requires an extra step. Sometimes I just convert to B&W and be done with it.

- The max aperture of f/4.5 means the lens is very slow.

 

The lens comes in three versions: The v1 and v2 look different but share the same optical scheme and problems. The v3 is a bigger lens with a new optical scheme redesigned for digital. I have not used it, but many reviewers say it works great.

 

Finally, note that there is a big difference between 21mm and 15mm. If you are worried about perspective distortion, then 21 is the way to go. You may want to check the CV 21/1.8 or the Leica SEM 21/3.4 (wonderful lens but relatively slow).

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The CV 21/4 and 15/4.5 are two of my most-used lenses, in fact I have 2 of each (1 M and 1 LTM 21mm, one Voightlander and one "Cosina" in 15mm) and I have not yet gotten any objectionable edge coloring with any of them on the M240. I have them all coded as 21 non-ASPH Elmarit-M. I'm not planning on upgrading to the new 15, I really like the size of the LTM version. Given it's a special-purpose lens for me, if it wasn't so tiny I would probably leave it home when I travel.

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I don't have a 240, but have had good results with the 21 f4 on my M9 using the coding mentioned above. The edge corrections from coding are also most effective with low (base) ISO setting in the camera, and become less effective as ISO increases. I suspect that may be why some users complain more about the edge coloring than others.

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The CV 21/4 is one of my favorite lenses on crop cams but i can't seem to make it sing as i'd like on the M240. It suffers from a bit of red edge on the right side of the frame and as much as it looks sharp on Ricoh GXR or M8.2, i often feel the need to add some sharpening on the M240. Just a crappy sample at f/16 below. Lens coded as Elmarit 21/2.8 pre-asph. Diffraction doesn't help here but even at f/16, the Super-Elmar 21/3.4 would have made much better most probably. Not exactly the same price though.

Full size: http://tinyurl.com/pgsbk3f (22MB file)

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Michael, I would even consider the CV Ultron 21/1.8 Aspherical, if I were you. It's a remarkable lens, with top performance at 1/5 the price of the Summilux. Here you are sone shots from the M 240.

 

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All three taken with M 240 + CV Ulton 21/1.8 Aspherical

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I have the CV 15/4.5 (v1).

[...]

 

The lens comes in three versions: The v1 and v2 look different but share the same optical scheme and problems. The v3 is a bigger lens with a new optical scheme redesigned for digital.

 

Intriguing. I have not found any information that indicates the v3 is different other than in filter, M-mount and coupled focusing. Steve Gandy's page carefully read indicates the M and LTM are still optically the same. "SAME sharp optics as screw mount 15/4.5 "

 

No?

Edited by pico
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I don't have a 240, but have had good results with the 21 f4 on my M9 using the coding mentioned above. The edge corrections from coding are also most effective with low (base) ISO setting in the camera, and become less effective as ISO increases. I suspect that may be why some users complain more about the edge coloring than others.

 

I noticed that also on the M9. Apparently Leica's algorithms don't adjust for different ISO's. Typically I'm only shooting higher than base ISO at night, and then rarely above 800-1000.

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Intriguing. I have not found any information that indicates the v3 is different other than in filter, M-mount and coupled focusing. Steve Gandy's page carefully read indicates the M and LTM are still optically the same. "SAME sharp optics as screw mount 15/4.5 "

 

No?

 

It's a little confusing because what people are refering to as 'v3' is officially called "II". That lens isn't listed on that page. It's a new lens, supposed to go into distribution soon.

Edited by bocaburger
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It's a little confusing because what people are refering to as 'v3' is officially called "II". That lens isn't listed on that page. It's a new lens, supposed to go into distribution soon.

 

Gandy has an up-to-date page for 15mm III online right now. It may have been added since I posted.

 

It appears to be a good buy.

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Here are some sample shots I took today with CV 15 on M240. Not the best light but lots of sky to show you the color issue and how much it can be corrected by flatfield correction in LR5.

 

As for myself, I am happy with this lens on M240.

 

You have

Orig at f11 (shot with 21mm profile)

After flatfield correction

Center crop 100%

corner crop 100% (Lower Right)

edge crop 100% (Left middle)

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Wow, I've got 2 copies of the LTM version 15mm and neither one of them produces that color cast as long as I use the 21/2.8 PRE-ASPH code and keep the ISO to 800 or below.

 

Btw does LR5 flat field correction work on jpegs or only dng? The main issue I have with Cornerfix is TTBOMK it would require me to shoot dng.

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