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If Thorsten doesn't tell us right now then who else would be supposed to?

 

The "14/3.8" designation for the lens type 51-2 has leaked approx. two years ago. Last year I asked a Leica representative when the new 14 mm lens was going to be introduced, and the prompt reply was, "Never!" I somehow was under the impression it was a lie—he immediately knew what I was talking about but I guess he simply wasn't authorised to disclose any information. So I didn't inquire any further.

 

Now Thorsten's enigmatic insinuation seems to indicate that this lens finally is about to be revealed ... but until then, we just don't know. More lenses that leaked long before they became officially announced were the new 50 mm Summicron (which has turned out as the Apo-Summicron-M 50 mm Asph) and the 28 mm Summilux (no hint of an actual lens yet).

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Am I alone thinking that "leaks" like this are bad style?

 

If there is really such a lens coming one time, why not wait until it is proposed? Nobody can evaluate or use it before.

 

If there is no such lens, why pretending there was something?

Edited by UliWer
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... I hope they upgrade the M9 firmware with a profile for it.

I guess the profile is already there. If your 15 mm lens brings up the 35/135 framelines then just try using the 6-bit code 51 (110011).

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How on earth did you find this page? I looked on his drop down list under roots and did not find it.

I was looking for reviews of the 21 SEM and wanted to see what Thorsten had written. Did a site search and this popped up. :)

I suspect that this is already being field tested.

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I was looking for reviews of the 21 SEM and wanted to see what Thorsten had written. Did a site search and this popped up. :)

I suspect that this is already being field tested.

 

It seems to me that a field trip to Yosemite might be a place to start. No?

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Am I alone thinking that "leaks" like this are bad style?

 

It is a teaser. I don't see how that is bad style.

 

If there is really such a lens coming one time, why not wait until it is proposed? Nobody can evaluate or use it before.

 

What is wrong with whetting people's appetites with a little teaser? It just builds anticipation for the future announcement. Where is the harm in this?

 

If there is no such lens, why pretending there was something?

 

I highly doubt we would get such a teaser if there was no such lens. Unless the post was dated April 1st, of course.

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If it is about as good as the R 15/2.8 then it will be very nice. The R lens does have a rotating filter barrel built inside with NDx1, Orange, Yellow-Green, and Blue (KB12). The near focusing stops at 18 cms or less than 8 inches.

 

I have posted some shots taken with that lens over on the R lenses on the M 240. It is scary how close one can get to a subject. I was using the EVF on my M and when I took my eye away to check distance, I found I was just one foot from the black pressure lines in one image. The other image of the boat I was about one meter from it and it must be 12-15 feet across. Corner to corner sharpness is very good. Photo Forum/Other.

 

So Leica has a cell to work with, just like the R 80/1.4 and the M 75/1.4 as I understand it are from the same cell.

Edited by algrove
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I'm fairly sure this page has been up for a long time, as I remember seeing it many months ago when searching for information on this lens. I really hope that they do make it someday though, as I'd love a high quality ultra wide lens, and all of the current (<18mm) options seem pretty heavily compromised in one way or another.

Edited by andrewbirdsall
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I'm fairly sure this page has been up for a long time, as I remember seeing it many months ago when searching for information on this lens. I really hope that they do make it someday though, as I'd love a high quality ultra wide lens, and all of the current (<18mm) options seem pretty heavily compromised in one way or another.

 

Andrew-Did you ever use the R 15/2.8?

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Andrew-Did you ever use the R 15/2.8?

 

No I haven't yet, but on the surface it seems like another compromise...

 

The Zeiss 15 is a bit too big and (I assume like the R) not RF coupled which compromises focusing at F2.8

 

The CV 12 and 15 are tempting, but the image quality isn't really in line with Leica's wides... i.e. they always seem to require some degree of post processing to get acceptable results

 

That only leaves the WATE, which is probably the best option, but I really dislike the idea of buying a zoom lens (with all it's compromises - albeit just complexity and size in this case) when all I need is a prime at it's widest setting - I didn't buy Nikons 14-24 for similar reasons

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Am I alone thinking that "leaks" like this are bad style?

 

If there is really such a lens coming one time, why not wait until it is proposed? Nobody can evaluate or use it before.

 

If there is no such lens, why pretending there was something?

 

No.

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No I haven't yet, but on the surface it seems like another compromise...

 

The Zeiss 15 is a bit too big and (I assume like the R) not RF coupled which compromises focusing at F2.8

 

The CV 12 and 15 are tempting, but the image quality isn't really in line with Leica's wides... i.e. they always seem to require some degree of post processing to get acceptable results

 

That only leaves the WATE, which is probably the best option, but I really dislike the idea of buying a zoom lens (with all it's compromises - albeit just complexity and size in this case) when all I need is a prime at it's widest setting - I didn't buy Nikons 14-24 for similar reasons

 

One can zone focus without a problem at 2.8. What's in focus on that lens is incredibly wide- infinity to just over 36" at 2.8. I had a Zeiss 15 on my M9 last summer and it is RF coupled. It's just that the Zeiss minimum focus distance of 30cm is nearly double that of the R at 18cm.

 

Do not assume what you do not know as it can lead one to wrong conclusions. Hey, every lens and the system that carries it is a compromise. Eventually one must the go ahead and pick a system if you want to create images. Otherwise you can watch the world pass you by like waiting for that ideal computer. All digital RAW files need PP regardless of system.

 

I'm curious how large you routinely print your images to feel you must eliminate all compromises?

Edited by algrove
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No I haven't yet, but on the surface it seems like another compromise...

 

The Zeiss 15 is a bit too big and (I assume like the R) not RF coupled which compromises focusing at F2.8

 

The CV 12 and 15 are tempting, but the image quality isn't really in line with Leica's wides... i.e. they always seem to require some degree of post processing to get acceptable results

 

That only leaves the WATE, which is probably the best option, but I really dislike the idea of buying a zoom lens (with all it's compromises - albeit just complexity and size in this case) when all I need is a prime at it's widest setting - I didn't buy Nikons 14-24 for similar reasons

 

As you go wider and wider, all images will tend to a fish-eyed view. Incidentally, I am curious as to how you would surmise that it's a compromise, when the average human cannot realistically see wider than 28mm. :)

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Sorry to spoil the party, but the page is from when the new 21/3.4 was released and the rumor was that the 14 would also come.

 

I accidentally saw the 21/3.4 on the shelf at the factory some weeks before the release and prepared pages for that and the 14mm to be released on the evening of the release. At that point it seemed realistic that both were in the making.

 

As it rolled out, only the 21mm was released and if a 14mm will ever see the light of day remains a question.

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