12 or 15

[Essemmlee]

I have a desire for a wider wide angle and can't make my mind up about whether I should buy the CV12 or the CV15.

I know there have been previous discussions but what are the up to date thoughts on these 2 lenses?

Which to go for?

[andybarton]

Just a few times

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...7-12-15-a.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...v-12-15-a.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...cv-12-not.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...5-quickie.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...pressions.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...15-photos.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...d-article.html

[jaapv]

Two lenses- you'll get three opinions
My take:
The 12 is a more specialised lens, with a spectacular angle
The 15 is more of an universal ultra-wide and is so small that it will live in your camera-bag in a small corner. So it will see a lot more of use.
The 12 cannot be shot without an auxilary viewfinder, with the 15 you can guesstimate your field of view.
So if you want an everyday superwide, get the fifteen, if you want to go for that once-in-a-while spectacular shot, get the twelve.
The best thing, of course, is to buy both...

[luigi bertolotti]

Even if you still have a wide like 21, 15 is a LOT more, and, expecially on M8, is a lens TO USE; never tried the 12, but surely is more "special purpose".

[offshore]

Originally Posted by Essemmlee

I have a desire for a wider wide angle and can't make my mind up about whether I should buy the CV12 or the CV15.

I know there have been previous discussions but what are the up to date thoughts on these 2 lenses?

Which to go for?

I own both lenses and would recommend the 12 over the fifteen, if you have the money, because the 12 is a rectilinear lens and is very well corrected for edge distortion and sharpness. You can purchase a CV 15mm viewfinder that will cover the 12's field of view on the M8. The 15 is a small lens but suffers from heavy distortion when off axis and is not all that sharp on the edges. As noted in another post go for both if you can swing it but honestly I find myself going back to my 21mm F2.8 Elmarit over either of the CV's. Here is a pic taken with the 15 illustrating the distortion. Hope this helps.

[Tony C.]

Well, offshore may be technically correct, but I'm quite happy with the results I've gotten with the 15mm. Here's an example...

[Essemmlee]

I have the 21/2.8 Elmarit, so I'm leaning (not a pun on perspective) towards the 12.

Thanks to all.

[Daniel Ortego]

Originally Posted by Essemmlee

I have the 21/2.8 Elmarit, so I'm leaning (not a pun on perspective) towards the 12.

Thanks to all.

Funny how we're never quite satisfied with our wides'. I just received my 24/2.8 and I feel it covers the 7/8th rule. I do love that fact that I don’t need an external viewfinder, although I would love to try a 21-El’ in hopes of grabbing more of those interior shots. Anything wider that, may be just a little bit beyond my taste. Then again, I said the same thing about the 24. ~
Regards,

[jimmy pro]

If you could afford an M8 what's the big deal getting both the 12 and the 15? Together there still less than a new 50 Summarit. But if your determined to only get one, I vote for the 12. You can always crop the shot to the 15's view but you can't widen the 15 (yeah, I know you can stitch, in case some smartass chimes in with it, but that has limited use).

Unlike what someone said, you will definately want a seperate viewfinder with the 15. You'll want a 21mm finder. Unless your bugeyed you can't easily see beyond the 24mm framelines in the camera, and even if you do, it still isn't quite wide enough. As to distorsion with the 15 vs the 12, well, first of all if you tilt either lens off axis your gonna get some. Second of all with digital, correcting it is a cinch.

The biggest PITA with the 12 is dealing with the IR filter. First you'll need an adaptor, either the one Cosina sells, which requires an expensive 77mm filter, or the Milich adaptor which is pretty pricey by itself. Then, there isn't any other lens you can code it as that will correct the cyan corner crap, so you hafta run all your shots thru an extra processing step. With the 15, that isn't necessary, cause you can code it as a WATE and use the 16mm setting.

[Daniel Ortego]

Originally Posted by jimmy pro

If you could afford an M8 what's the big deal getting both the 12 and the 15? Together there still less than a new 50 Summarit. But if your determined to only get one, I vote for the 12. You can always crop the shot to the 15's view but you can't widen the 15 (yeah, I know you can stitch, in case some smartass chimes in with it, but that has limited use).

Unlike what someone said, you will definately want a seperate viewfinder with the 15. You'll want a 21mm finder. Unless your bugeyed you can't easily see beyond the 24mm framelines in the camera, and even if you do, it still isn't quite wide enough. As to distorsion with the 15 vs the 12, well, first of all if you tilt either lens off axis your gonna get some. Second of all with digital, correcting it is a cinch.

The biggest PITA with the 12 is dealing with the IR filter. First you'll need an adaptor, either the one Cosina sells, which requires an expensive 77mm filter, or the Milich adaptor which is pretty pricey by itself. Then, there isn't any other lens you can code it as that will correct the cyan corner crap, so you hafta run all your shots thru an extra processing step. With the 15, that isn't necessary, cause you can code it as a WATE and use the 16mm setting.

Your first and last paragraphs seem somewhat contradictory. If I understand you correctly, you feel its better to get the 15 with adaptations and call it a day.
Regards,

[roofus]

Width is like money . . . you can't have too much!

[Etruscello]

I use both the CV15 and CV12 on the M8. In my humble opinion and experiential testing (not experimental testing), they are both exceptionally fine performers. If fact, I see them as equal in performance -- the 12mm is just wider. That's saying a lot about the quality of the 12mm. They are comparable to Leica super-wides in quality except for lower contrast. Often, in situations of wide dynamic range of light, the lower contrast works to one's advantage. When higher contrast is needed, Unsharp Mask in CS3 creates an image indistinguisable in contrast from the Leica super-wides.
I use both with the Milich adapters and B&W IR Cut filters. They are both coded as WATEs. I find that setting the WATE menu to 16mm for the CV12mm gives a near perfect correction. For some reason, setting the WATE menu for 16mm does not give the CV15 the best correction, 21mm does! Go figure. Yes, get both (and the Milich adapters)!
Tom P.

[Essemmlee]

Does anyone have shots taken with both lenses from the same spot to evaluate coverage and quality?

[jimmy pro]

Originally Posted by Daniel Ortego

Your first and last paragraphs seem somewhat contradictory. If I understand you correctly, you feel its better to get the 15 with adaptations and call it a day.
Regards,

Nope, if you have to have only one, get the 12. I thought I was pretty clear on that. In the last paragraph I was just listing some downsides of the 12 to be prepared for, not saying not to get it.

[Daniel Ortego]

Originally Posted by Tony C.

Well, offshore may be technically correct, but I'm quite happy with the results I've gotten with the 15mm. Here's an example...

To me, this nice photo is markedly convincing. I sorta struggle with seeing this same shot in a 12 without accepting some level of compromise. Oh well, I really need to just get one someday. Perhaps Leica will solve my dilemma with a new super wide later in the year. Next up? An overpriced carbon fiber tripod!
Regards,

[morffin]

Get the 12 ...stunning lens! Set it to f8 and the whole planet is in focus.

[jackal]

both great lenses but I find the 12 is a bit more limited use and even the 15 has that real wideangle look which can threaten to dominate the picture

i now use a zeiss 18 and the 12 which is quite a happy combination... the 18mm is very functional & producting quite natural images and the 12 is a bit of fun and for that really wide effect

the 12 is bonkers on the M7 ....


examples of all 3 here:

Collection: GLASS

[dudedog]

Hi. I haven't used the 15, but I like the 12 a lot! As someone said above... at f8 everything is in focus, and you'd be surprise how little distortion there is if you hold it level. I think it's a great addition... Here's a quick shot with it from yesterday... George

[mustafasoleiman]

Originally Posted by roofus

Width is like money . . . you can't have too much!

what is it you cannot have too much of?

[mustafasoleiman]

I have both but the 12 makes more sense to me... if you are going wide... go wide... as you obviously are shooting a wide view.
Then again, if you carry both, you can find the perfect fit better to anything in front of you.