Voigtlander 12/5.6 Heliar

[sean_reid]

Just wanted to share some things I'm learning about this lens on the M8. I know that Guy, and perhaps anyone else who is sometimes shooting interiors and the like, is interested in it.

The diameter of the lens barrel around the front element is close to 46 mm. Using just sturdy tape, I attached a 46-55 step-up adapter to the front of the 12 so that I could mount a 55 mm filter. This arrangement provided ample clearance between the filter glass and the front element. I then tested the lens for cyan drift using the 486 and Heliopan IR-cut filters. Hard vignetting from the adapter/filter assembly is just barely visible in the corners. I suspect that a custom adapter, which moved the filter slightly closer to the lens, would allow a 55 to work without any hard vignetting. Otherwise, a custom adapter could use a 60.

As I had expected, the M8's internal corrections for the WATE at 16 do not remotely come close to correcting the cyan drift in the 12. In fact, even with no filter (and the WATE coding + lens detection set to "On") there's still some cyan drift from the camera's internal IR filter. With the filter, however, the drift is dramatic. The Leica 55 filter might do a little better but I predict the problem will still be pronounced.

This is a lens that will really require cyan drift correction in RAW conversion or in post. That said, I'm sure that it can be done. Without a filter, one may not notice the cyan drift much (if the lens is coded as a WATE) but with a filter, it can't be missed.

That's the news.

Cheers,

Sean

[guy_mancuso]

Thanks Sean for the report and we just got off the phone talking about this. probably for folks that have to have a IR filter on this may need to get a 60mm with a special adapter than also fix this in post with a action to clean it all the way up. Or shoot naked and use Jamie's profile or something like that. Still going to order one here maybe next week, going through tripods sell off and purchase this week

[WeinschelA]

I have been shooting naked with the 12mm Heliar, coded as a WATE, but without filters as I wasn't quite sure how to mount one -- and I don't have any anyhow. 8-( The lens has its limitations to be sure, but it does provide a 15mm equivalent on the M8, and is in my travel kit.

By the way, John Milich milled an adapter for me. Since it was one of those with the cut-out, the milled indendations are not as large as on a conventional ring, but the camera does pick it up as a WATE, and provides the focal length selection menu, though strangely, no focal length shows in the exif.

As for cyan drift, I've just been resigned to dealing with it in post processing up to now. Since the lens does vignette, I find that correcting the vignetting in ACR 4 (CS3) does most of the job --- if you are not finicky finicky finicky, and for this lens that may be where things are since we're not going to get the in camera software correction with filters.

[jlm]

once the WATE drop down menu shows up and you select 16mm, it should keep it at 16 and show 16 in the info. light leaks will throw this off and the cyan correction will be uncertain.
try covering the jointline between the adapter and the camera in the area of the light detectors with a piece of black tape to keep out possible stray light and see if the info show the 16mm.

[sean_reid]

Hi John,

I was hoping you were popping in to say that you planned to make this adapter for the 12! One for the 15 would be great as well.

Guy and I were discussing the focal length display earlier today (both of us testing with an actual WATE).

If one selects lens detection "on" there will be a correction but no focal length will show in the review or the EXIF. This programming seems related to earlier era at Leica when they hadn't realized how necessary IR cut filters would be. As such, with no filter mounted and the detection "on" there seems to be a general correction applied which is independent of focal length set on the lens.

If one selects "on + UV/IR" then the menu pops up, one chooses a focal length, data is shown in review and in EXIF, etc.

This, theoretically, is something that could change in future firmware.

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by WeinschelA

I have been shooting naked with the 12mm Heliar.

That takes a lot of courage in NYC. Good thing its warmed up.

<G>

Sean

[guy_mancuso]

Alan PLEASE don't turn the camera around. LOL

[tummydoc]

Cosina/Voigtlander make a clamp-on see-through filter adaptor for the 12 that takes 77mm filters, and on the M8 with its crop I would suspect it would be possible to use 77-xx stepdown rings with a smaller (and cheaper) diameter IR filter.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by tummydoc

Cosina/Voigtlander make a clamp-on see-through filter adaptor for the 12 that takes 77mm filters, and on the M8 with its crop I would suspect it would be possible to use 77-xx stepdown rings with a smaller (and cheaper) diameter IR filter.

Yes, that's true. It would just be cleaner and more compact to have an adapter no larger than the filter size.

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

No CA at all from this 12 even in my torture test - quite impressive.

edit: Wow, none from the 15 either.

Cheers,

Sean

[WeinschelA]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

That takes a lot of courage in NYC. Good thing its warmed up.

<G>

Sean

I just knew that saying I shot naked would get a response, but I didn't think I'd be congratulated for my courage. Actually in New York, it might not even be noticed, and if so, merely noted, as in "Look there's a guy shooting naked. Now where do you want to have dinner?"

[jlm]

sean:

if you can send me a 12, I'll see what could be done.

[WeinschelA]

Originally Posted by jlm

sean:

if you can send me a 12, I'll see what could be done.

I could get you mine John -- I'm closer to your neighborhood than Sean. Just et me know and I will box it up. Or get it delivered by hand if in Manhattan.

[guy_mancuso]

John just put me on the list now. LOL
Still need to buy one. There not on e-bay anymore any sources folks

[kidigital]

Guy, check with cameraquest. That's where I got mine. I use the 12 way more than the 15. Any kind of magenta reducing solutions that are devised would certainly make me happy.

Kurt

[guy_mancuso]

Thanks Kurt sent Stephen a e-mail he has one for me.

Just need to sell my stuff on e-bay all tripod stuff there if anyone is looking. Revamping to get a RH-40 ballhead and new Gitzo GT 2541L tripod and than another BH-25 for my monopod. All fine tuned for the M8 system

[scott kirkpatrick]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

Guy and I were discussing the focal length display earlier today (both of us testing with an actual WATE).

If one selects lens detection "on" there will be a correction but no focal length will show in the review or the EXIF. This programming seems related to earlier era at Leica when they hadn't realized how necessary IR cut filters would be. As such, with no filter mounted and the detection "on" there seems to be a general correction applied which is independent of focal length set on the lens.

If one selects "on + UV/IR" then the menu pops up, one chooses a focal length, data is shown in review and in EXIF, etc.

This, theoretically, is something that could change in future firmware.

There definitely seem to be a few bugs in the WATE firmware of 1.102. Has anyone else noticed that it thinks the maximum aperture is 1.0 instead of 4.0?

Or that the focal length sorta defaults to 18 mm if you close the focal length dialog with the shutter rather than the "set" button?

scott

[guy_mancuso]

Scott the set button is used to confirm as with other menu options. the default is 18mm

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by WeinschelA

I just knew that saying I shot naked would get a response, but I didn't think I'd be congratulated for my courage. Actually in New York, it might not even be noticed, and if so, merely noted, as in "Look there's a guy shooting naked. Now where do you want to have dinner?"

Exactly...or..."Oh postmodernism again...enough already."

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by WeinschelA

I could get you mine John -- I'm closer to your neighborhood than Sean. Just et me know and I will box it up. Or get it delivered by hand if in Manhattan.

Perfect. Thanks.

John,

The stock hood uses a simple tensioning ring to hold it on - might be easy to replicate. I'd suggest a threaded filter holder and hood.

Cheers,

Sean