CV lenses

[etienne_werner]

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Hi Etienne,

 

I got my CV 15mm from Combifoto in Noordwijk of all places. To my surprise they had every CV lens and accesories like viewfinders and adapters in stock. So if you want to get some more CV lenses...I always like to see and hold something before I buy.

 

Hans

Hi Hans,

I just got mail from an other dutch photographer telling that (F o t o** H e n n y** H o o g e v e e n* -* N o o r d w i j k .) . I stand corrected.

Eventhough I'm glad to hear that we can still buy them locally, I still think that CameraQuest is far cheaper than Combi. Especially if you order more than one lens. I'm sure that this is also due to the exchange rate.

For example the 12mm (prices in Euro's)

Combi: 699-

CameraQuest 446,82.

That's more than 200 euro's difference.

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Etienne

[Rona!d]

Always keep in mind when using todays lenses: "It´s never the lens that limits your image-quality! It´s you!"

[barbican]

What is the opinion of CV lenses- any of them, but especially the 15.

 

I picked up the 15/4 this weekend. So wide you have to watch your fingers aren't in shot! Good colour rendition and sharpness, from what I can see, at least when price is taken into consideration. I'm still trying to get used to the too-wide included finder, I may have to buy a separate finder.

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[Gilles L.]

I have been contemplating purchasing the 75mm lux and had not thought about the CV 75mm. thanks for the tip, i will give it serious thought. Anyone has any thought about the 28/1.9 ultron?

 

I have nokton 40mm and I like it very much. The only downside is that the focusing barrel is very stiff compared to Leica lenses. Anything recommendation?

[photolandscape]

I can speak to the CV15 Heliar only. I picked it up recently on Ebay for $260 with viewfinder. Keep in mind that mounted on an M8, it is the equivalent of a 20mm lens. I have used the original 15mm viewfinder, which you have to get used to, as it shows you more image than you're going to capture with the lens. But I just bought the 21mm viewfinder, and it is much more accurate in terms of field of view.

 

I am very critical when it comes to color, saturation, sharpness, contrast, etc. If the CV doesn't rival the Zeiss or Leica equivalents, I'd like to hear in what regard. Perhaps it doesn't quite measure up on a test lab, but in everyday use, it is a wonderful lens, and I appreciate the fact that ounce for ounce it is the best value of any piece of equipment in my bag.

 

Try it, I think you'll like it.

[AlanJW]

I have used the 15 f/4.5 extensively,w ith very good results on film. I do think the edges are a bit soft and there is some vignetting. But the proof is in the results, and I have one 50 x 40 print of Yankee Stadium hanging in my office. The whole stadium is laid out, and the reaction of everyone who sees it is very very positive. Of course that was Velvia and scanned before it was printed. I expect the results with a smaller sensor to be better. For the price, its amazing. Now having said that, having the CV has not deterred me from ordering the WATE.

 

But having had a good experience with the 15, I also just got the 75mm/2.5. Not enough time to test it out yet, however. But I don't anticipate lots of use for a 75 on the M8 so the investment in Leica for that wasn't sensible. (OK OK, nothing about most of this has anything to do with sensible).

[scho]

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I just started using the CV 15 on my M8 and I'm very impressed with the image quality. Example:

http://www.pbase.com/scho/image/75913986

Also see other CV lens example images in this M8 pbase gallery.

[benroy]

I have 3 CV lenses that I use with the M8: 50/1.8 Nokton, 35/2.5 Color Skopar, and the 25/4

"Snapshot" Skopar (stays on camera most of time). All three are very sharp and a lot of fun to use (especially the 25/4)...consistently brilliant, sharp images on 11x17s...

 

By the way, B&H is now carrying the CV line.

[Enoteca]

Sean,

 

not only, but a bit influenced by your reviews (thanks a lot) I have, beside my Leica-lenses, purchased CV 12, 15 and 50 Nokton. In your post above you mention a "machined adaptor". I didn't understand that. Will that be an adaptor to allow more easily self-coding? If yes, where will it be found?

[sean_reid]

Thank you again Sean - you are ever-helpful!

 

I have found it hard to source either machined adaptors or even adaptors with a wide enough flange to take a sharpie code, so I was hoping the one with an M mount built in would be better for me though I must say that at 35mm the 'cyans' have so far not shown up for me!

 

Any idea when your 35mm review is due? I'll be fascinated to see if you've had the same issues that a host of us have had with 35 crons and luxes backfocussing so badly as to be almost impossible on an m8?

 

Best

 

Tim

 

Hi Tim,

 

The adapter needed, of course, would be the Leitz 13.5 cm. I've been collecting the Leitz adapters, more or less, since I first discovered how useful they are for hand-coding. John Millich has been kind enough to mill some adapters for free for various photographers but obviously neither he, nor anyone else, would want to produce those commercially because of potential patent conflicts.

 

I probably won't be able to start testing the other three 35s (Leica Lux, Leica Sum, Zeiss Biogon) until I get back to VT in early April. I do have three of the CVs with me now, however, and so I'm testing them as part of the work I'm doing here.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[agro]

Hi Sean,

Would you part with one adapter?

I do love the CV (image attached) but my adapter is cut out.

 

Cheers,

Agro

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[tom0511]

While I have not decided yet if I should get the wate I enjoy the cv15 (image).

All my other lenses are Leica, but I am sure the 28/1.9 cv and the 50/1.5cv should be great lenses as well. Coding is an issue though IMO.

The 15so far I just use it without filter. Colors are not 100% accurate this way (because of IR) but for these subjects I can live with it.

[Venkman]

Stupid question time - which CV lenses are rangefinder coupled and which are not?

Or in other words - can I use the 75 just as a Leica one, using the M8's viewfinder and focus window?

 

Maybe it sounds odd, but I haven't seen much about the longer lenses from Voigtländer so far - and since I am impressed by the CV15 I am seriously considering the 75 Color Heliar.

Would I need to have a specific adapter for it in order to bring up the correct frames?

 

Dirk

[stunsworth]

Hi Dirk, the 12, 15 and 25 are not rangefinder coupled. You'll need a 50/75 adaptor to bring up the correct framelines with a 75mm lens.

[Venkman]

Thanks Steve, that covers it all and in record time - much appreciated

[jaapv]

Hi Hans,

I just got mail from an other dutch photographer telling that (F o t o** H e n n y** H o o g e v e e n* -* N o o r d w i j k .) . I stand corrected.

Eventhough I'm glad to hear that we can still buy them locally, I still think that CameraQuest is far cheaper than Combi. Especially if you order more than one lens. I'm sure that this is also due to the exchange rate.

For example the 12mm (prices in Euro's)

Combi: 699-

CameraQuest 446,82.

That's more than 200 euro's difference.

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Etienne

 

That is -if you are not caught by the customs/tax people... Foto Dommers in Kleve has CV stuff as well, I saw a number of Bessa's in his shop window (and a mint Safari R3 btw)

[voightL]

Anyone know how to fit I/R on CV 15? Thanks

CV15 arriving next week since the WATE was a bit up there ($). By all reports, a "great little lens." I'd be interested in a critical eval from the pros of WATE at 16 vs CV15. My two worries were:

 

1. vignetting and the absence of lens coding.

2. fitting I/R filters

 

But, at the price, I had to try it out.

 

Peter

[scott kirkpatrick]

There are two methods reported here. One is to get a rubber O-ring of the proper size and put the filter flat on a clean tabletop, the O-ring on the back edge of the filter, and then push the lens squarely down over the O-ring and filter. The other is to pad the inside of the lens shade slightly with tape and squeeze in the filter. I haven't decided which to go with, but have taken test shots with a 39mm filter loosely placed inside the lens shade (worked fine) and with a 40.5 mm filter held in contact with the lens shade. The 40.5 vignetted severely, so the 39mm is the better solution. Just don't use any sort of shim which gives off chemicals that might discolor the lens coating. And code the lens so that the fairly strong red vignetting can be reduced in firmware.

 

scott

[voightL]

Thanks so much, Scott:)

There are two methods reported here. One is to get a rubber O-ring of the proper size and put the filter flat on a clean tabletop, the O-ring on the back edge of the filter, and then push the lens squarely down over the O-ring and filter. The other is to pad the inside of the lens shade slightly with tape and squeeze in the filter. I haven't decided which to go with, but have taken test shots with a 39mm filter loosely placed inside the lens shade (worked fine) and with a 40.5 mm filter held in contact with the lens shade. The 40.5 vignetted severely, so the 39mm is the better solution. Just don't use any sort of shim which gives off chemicals that might discolor the lens coating. And code the lens so that the fairly strong red vignetting can be reduced in firmware.

 

scott

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[wparsonsgisnet]

thanks all. I guess sometimes something good comes for less cost...

 

Janelle, The shots on Sean's site show that the CV15 is really good -- particularly at the price. The shots that Guy has posted clearly show the WATE to be superior, but at 10 times the cost.

 

I have ordered my adapter from John Milich altho I don't have a 15, yet.