Saad Posted September 14, 2013 Share #1  Posted September 14, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello everyone, I just took delivery of my new WATE, so the first thing was for me to see if I could use it at night, and if the f4 was a serious restriction. The options for a 15 or a 16 mm are pretty narrow. The Zeiss ZM is too big and attention grabbing and apparently has a really bad edge definition. The Voigtlander 15 is unusable for color photography due to a very strong color cast.  All the the following pics were taken at 1600 iso and shutter speeds ranging from 1/12 to 1/30th. All at f4 and all hand held. I think arguments comparing the WATE with the 21 SEM is not very relevant here. Not using the frankenfinder, and having a unique ability to use a 16 mm at night, at f4, and hand held is what is of relevance here, for me.  It was hot and humidity was around 98% with 34 degrees Celcius. The excitement of using this incredible lens made me oblivious to the heat.  I hope that the small pictures will give you a sense of not only using a 16 mm at f4 but using it at night and in the Old Town of Jeddah. Wow!! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/212765-wate-m-240-night-photography/?do=findComment&comment=2420570'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 14, 2013 Posted September 14, 2013 Hi Saad, Take a look here WATE & M 240 Night Photography. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pauledell Posted September 14, 2013 Share #2 Â Posted September 14, 2013 An excellent series with the first three being my favorites. Great mood and atmosphere. The sharpness is really impressive with these being handheld. Â Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted September 14, 2013 Share #3 Â Posted September 14, 2013 Interesting pictures, Saad. Â My experience was very similar when I first mounted the WATE on the M240 (see http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/274486-m240-wate.html): the M240 indeed makes an f/4 lens very useable in low light. Â Why your post was moved to this section of the forum is also beyond me:confused: Â Perhaps it could be merged with the above thread that I started a while ago? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl G Posted September 14, 2013 Share #4 Â Posted September 14, 2013 Very nice series demonstrating usability in low light of this WATE and pretty remarkable for hand held. You could also PP these with LR several stops when shot @1600 ISO with the M, if you desired. Appreciate the report and pictures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saad Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share #5 Â Posted September 14, 2013 Most welcome Karl, Paul, and Escar I hope it will help you in your possible decision to buy this lens or use it at night if you have it and if you dare. Â It is possible to get sharp pictures with this lens at 1/8th of a second if you practice with the breathing, posture and leaning against something. The Old Man was taken at 1/12th. Â Saad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted September 14, 2013 Share #6 Â Posted September 14, 2013 Saad, Â Very nice demonstration! Excellent images! Welcome to the WATE club. The WATE is one of my favorite lenses, not just on my M9. Here http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2328899-post5.html is this shot: Handheld, 1/3s, OOC JPG, shot with Leica WATE 16-18-21/4 M lens on OM-D E-M5 with five-axis In-Body-Image-Stabilization IBIS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saad Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share #7 Â Posted September 14, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Wow k-hawinkler, 1/3s I could never do that hand held. The photo is great. The person whose photos originally inspired me was "vanhulsenbeek" who has also posted on this forum. Â Saad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted September 14, 2013 Share #8  Posted September 14, 2013 Wow k-hawinkler, 1/3s I could never do that hand held. The photo is great. The person whose photos originally inspired me was "vanhulsenbeek" who has also posted on this forum. Saad   Hi Saad,  Thanks. "vanhulsenbeek" has great images indeed! Certainly, I couldn't do 1/3s handheld on a Leica either, any Leica. Combining the WATE with a camera that has IBIS opens new opportunities though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted September 14, 2013 Share #9  Posted September 14, 2013 Hi Saad  Nice images; night photography is so much fun. The rangefinder is made for it. Would love to see some of those pics with a +1 stop shadow lift.  Slow shutter speeds are good to use on my M8. The camera weight allows 21mm, 35mm and 50mm focal lengths (crop factor 1.33x) down to 1/15 and 1/8 second. It takes discipline and if I don't feel I got it, I take another picture immediately concentrating even more. I get good performance on Canon 50mm f1.4...without 5-axis electronic image stabilisation!  Monopods are good at night, but you might be banished from areas carrying a "weapon".  cheers Dave S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted September 15, 2013 Share #10 Â Posted September 15, 2013 I have a WATE, but have not tried it yet on my M. I will do now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamad Posted December 26, 2013 Share #11 Â Posted December 26, 2013 I like the composition in all and you nailed it when it comes to slow shutter. How was ISO response at 1600? Great work. Â Â Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonki-M Posted December 26, 2013 Share #12 Â Posted December 26, 2013 great set of photos! the only thing that deters me from using a WATE is the filters! (or the lack of it) I think one would need the WATE filter holder set to use it with filters (E67?), so i have to stick to my 21 SEM (lux is the same problem)... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted December 26, 2013 Share #13 Â Posted December 26, 2013 Correct the WATE filter holder is an E67. If you normally use filters and have many E46 lenses then sticking with the 21SEM makes sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saad Posted December 26, 2013 Author Share #14 Â Posted December 26, 2013 Thank you very much Hamad, 1600 iso is good but nothing to write home about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted December 26, 2013 Share #15 Â Posted December 26, 2013 The only thing that deters me from using a WATE is the filters! (or the lack of it) I think one would need the WATE filter holder set to use it with filters (E67?) ... Yes, the WATE filter holder is for E67 filters. Â I have the Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21-mm Asph for almost four years now, using it on M9 and M (Typ 240) ... but I never felt compelled to put a filter on it. If I did then I'd use my SLR's E77 filters via E67>E77 step-up ring ... but I don't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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