Comparison? New 18mm f/3.8 and 15mm CV f/4.5?

[wstotler]

Just a wrap-up.

Lens and filter arrived this morning.

Tested the 18mm's quality and it looks really, really good. Color, rendering, sharpness across the field, etc. I'm not seeing any of the CV15 behaviors I didn't like but was very willing to live with (based on its price)--how it painted object edges, fringing, a bit of vignetting, pull, softness, etc. In isolation, the CV15 did a credible job and I feel like I got my money out of it--but the 18mm is certainly better, technically.

With the 18mm it is possible to get a bit of subject isolation if standing very close to a subject, focusing on that subject, and letting the rest of the background go out of focus at f/3.8. Close subject--very, vey crisp. Background, slight OOF that looks clean. Just enough to set it off.

I need to play more over the coming months to really get a good handle on this lens with subjects--but in terms of quality there are no qualms.

Thanks everyone, again.
Will

P.S. The CV15 is hitting the shelf and I've decided to screw an IR B+W 093 filter into the front of the CV21 and shoot it as a "dedicated" IR lens. So I didn't knock my lens carry count down, but the CV21 with IR will add another possibility when I'm out and about.

[sfokevin]

Originally Posted by wstotler

I ordered the lens and the filter today. (Will order the 18mm finder when it's available more widely.)

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Thanks,
Will

Originally Posted by wstotler

Lens and filter arrived this morning.

Will - Please tell where you can get NEXT MORNING delivery of Leica Toys!!!!
...

[wstotler]

Originally Posted by sfokevin

Will - Please tell where you can get NEXT MORNING delivery of Leica Toys!!!!
...

Overnight shipping:
B&H (lens) + Dale Photo and Digital (filter) + Popflash (24mm finder--temp).

Thanks,
Will

[wstotler]

Yeah, shot of one of the kids, but a sample. I could never successfully pull floor shots out of the CV15 or CV21 that looked like this. *Not* picking on those lenses. Just stating my experience. They can only get better. I need to learn the lens.

Zone focused. (He was maybe four feet away.) ISO 640. 1/60th. f/3.8. Post done in Aperture to bump contrast and color a bit. The JPG killed some of the tonality in the photo.

BTW, the slide-in-place-from-the-top lens hood is going to have to grow on me. It doesn't firmly clamp on like the rubber cap for the Summicron 35mm and easily pops up when bumped from the bottom. Sigh.

Thanks again for input.

Cheers,
Will

[Peter Lea]

The lens hood on mine was quite loose and got lost on its third or fourth outing. I've ben waiting for about 10 days now for a replacement. The next one will be off the lens and in the bag the minute the lens comes out.
Peter

[wstotler]

Originally Posted by Peter Lea

The lens hood on mine was quite loose and got lost on its third or fourth outing. I've ben waiting for about 10 days now for a replacement. The next one will be off the lens and in the bag the minute the lens comes out.
Peter

Peter--thanks for sharing. I assume you mean the lens cap (not the screw-on hood). If yes, I'm in the same place with you. Cap for carry in the bag but off it comes when the lens is mounted. Not in the mood to lose it. Thanks, Will

[adan]

Originally Posted by wstotler

P.S. The CV15 is hitting the shelf and I've decided to screw an IR B+W 093 filter into the front of the CV21 and shoot it as a "dedicated" IR lens. So I didn't knock my lens carry count down, but the CV21 with IR will add another possibility when I'm out and about.

Good idea!

(M8, c/v15, 39mm Leitz IR filter)

[Fotomiguel]

The 18mm f3.8 seems to be an extraordinary lens. I'm getting a bit fed up of my 15cv. Now I'm going to start to think and think... and think. Uuuuffffff

[PeterP]

Just bought an 18 f/3.8, now I need to find a viewfinder, pity I can't use one of my existing
(15, 21, 28)

cheers

[...die Bildermacher]

3.8/ 18mm

[brill64]

very corbusier

[brill64]

hey adan, where might i be able to get a leitz ir filter?

[Fotomiguel]

Please! Don't post more pictures shot with the 18mm f3.8. I think I'm falling in love.

[adan]

Brill: Sorry - was elsewhere on the web starting a new venture.

I got mine from KEH totally by mistake with a lens purchase - the salesman said it was an IR filter for the M8, but it turned out to be plain old IR pass filter - deep red, almost black, similar to the Hoya 092 or whatever it is. Because it was the not-that-easy-to-find 39mm size and fits my 15, 50, 90, 135, I decided to keep it for the occasional art shot. I have no idea as to the era - probably mid-70's since that was a high point for infrared art photography.

[geoffreyg]

Originally Posted by Fotomiguel

Please! Don't post more pictures shot with the 18mm f3.8. I think I'm falling in love.

same.