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How good is the VOIGTLÄNDER 15/4.5 S.HELIAR?


Fotomiguel

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While waiting for the arrival of my 28mm elmarit , I was thinking about my lack of a wide angle lens. I can't afford the 15mm Zeiss or the WATE. I've decide not to spend more money for a while on my camera equipment (otherwise I would be killed). But... there is one lens that I'm very tempted: the voigtländer 15mm/4.5. Is it a really good lens? The price is incredible and one can thing that perhaps the quality files or quality construction may be not so good.

Is it total compatibility with the M8? I know it's not coded but all the rest is fine? Is the bayonet ok or has to be changed? I know that it comes with a 15mm viewfinder. Is possible to buy it with a 21mm viewfinder instead or should I buy it extra?

Where can I buy it easily in Europe (Spain)?

Thank you very much in advance.

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Extremely good optically.

 

The build is very good - perhaps not up to Leica standard, but the lens is so light that there is very little stress put on the mount and rings. I've had mine for 6 years and it shows no mechanical weakness (black finish has worn a bit - about equal to manual metal Nikkors in that regard)

 

Here's a sample of the imagery vs. the Canon 20mm on a Canon 5D... I also have samples against a 14mm Sigma on a Canon 400D, but need to adjust the size in order to post that.

 

The top pair are from the center of the image, 2nd pair from part way to the corner, 3rd pair from the corners of the frames.

 

Both shots at f/5.6, virtually wide open for the Heliar. I love this lens on the M8.

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Ok - Here's vs. the 400D/14mm Sigma (also 10 Mpixels, like the M8) Same scene, with an overall to show where the crops come from.

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While waiting for the arrival of my 28mm elmarit , I was thinking about my lack of a wide angle lens. I can't afford the 15mm Zeiss or the WATE. I've decide not to spend more money for a while on my camera equipment (otherwise I would be killed). But... there is one lens that I'm very tempted: the voigtländer 15mm/4.5. Is it a really good lens? The price is incredible and one can thing that perhaps the quality files or quality construction may be not so good.

Is it total compatibility with the M8? I know it's not coded but all the rest is fine? Is the bayonet ok or has to be changed? I know that it comes with a 15mm viewfinder. Is possible to buy it with a 21mm viewfinder instead or should I buy it extra?

Where can I buy it easily in Europe (Spain)?

Thank you very much in advance.

Hi,

Here an example picture of the 15mm.

25503d1171295328-rembrant-sky-over-netherlands-landscape-b-w-internet.jpg

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Extremely good optically.

 

The build is very good - perhaps not up to Leica standard, but the lens is so light that there is very little stress put on the mount and rings. I've had mine for 6 years and it shows no mechanical weakness (black finish has worn a bit - about equal to manual metal Nikkors in that regard)

 

Here's a sample of the imagery vs. the Canon 20mm on a Canon 5D... I also have samples against a 14mm Sigma on a Canon 400D, but need to adjust the size in order to post that.

 

The top pair are from the center of the image, 2nd pair from part way to the corner, 3rd pair from the corners of the frames.

 

Both shots at f/5.6, virtually wide open for the Heliar. I love this lens on the M8.

 

I'm speechless and impressed! Sometimes a picture tells more than thousand MTFs ;)

 

Regards

Reiner

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I also have the C/V 15, and love it. Sharpness in to the corners is much better than I had expected. In fact, I am also considering the C/V 12 for times when the 15 is just not quite wide enough, but can't find enough reviews / comparisons. If any one has some M8 examples and/or comparisons 12 vs 15, please let me know.....

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David, the same thought has been going though my mind :-). I think the 12mm would work very well, but it would be interesting to see some examples to get an idea how easy/difficult it is to handle the angle of view - similar to 15mm on a folm M I guess.

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I also have the C/V 15, and love it. Sharpness in to the corners is much better than I had expected. In fact, I am also considering the C/V 12 for times when the 15 is just not quite wide enough, but can't find enough reviews / comparisons. If any one has some M8 examples and/or comparisons 12 vs 15, please let me know.....

 

there were some 12mm shots posted some time ago here in the forums

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Here are 2 examples of the 12mm Voigtländer. I personally think the 12mm has a better build quality and "feel" than the 15mm. It's a very sharp lens and it performs relly well on the M8. I put some masking tape on the viewfinder so i have the same angle the camera gets.

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Not only is the CV 15 a good lens but some of the other CV lenses are even stronger performers. The Heliar is popular right now but I think people will gradually start to realize how many exceptional CV lenses there are.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

Amen! Also very attractive considering that you can essentially buy 10 excellent CV lenses for the price of one Leica lens. The 28mm f/1.9 Ultron is another top performer.

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