CV15mm in NYC

[Tony C.]

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As there's been a great deal of recent discussion about the CV lenses on the M8, I though that I'd contribute by mentioning that I've just begun to experiment with a CV 15mm. As many others have said, it is an excellent lens, and certainly represents great value.

 

I have very little experience with wide angle lenses, but the shot linked below, which was taken yesterday in NYC, will give you a feel for the capability of this lens in an urban setting. I used no filter, and did some processing in Lightroom.

 

Regards,

 

Tony C.

 

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[Artichoke]

some of the problems using such a lens are illustrated by this photograph

I think there is too much street at the bottom and the sides lean in, particularly at the left

this can be corrected in post, but are better dealt with before releasing the shutter

you are correct that the CV 14 is a grand little lens and a fine one to have in your bag when in the city

lovely sky, btw

[Tony C.]

I always welcome constructive criticism, and appreciate your comments Artichoke.

 

Having said that, I actually don't agree with your perspective in this case. If the street were bare, then I would have perhaps agreed, but I find the grid pattern to be an integral and pleasing part of the image. Also, while I don't doubt that you are correct about there being steps which can be taken to mitigate against the sides "leaning in", I actually find that to be an interesting element of this particular image. As the grid on the street and the buildings on the side both lead the eyes towards the focal point of the image, I consider the "leaning" to which you refer to be consistent with the geometry of the shot.

 

As I said, though, I do appreciate and and all comments, whether critical of not!

 

Regards,

 

Tony C.

[frv]

I agree with the comments made on this photo. As soon as I saw IT I wanted to correct it, getting a bit higher and get the verticals straight. The leaning in of the verticals very close to the edge of the photo makes the shot look insecure and as if the photographer didn't see the apparent faults when the shot was taken. Did you hold the camera low without looking through the viewfinder?

 

The shot is nice though and also shows the strong point of wide angle. The point of view is unusual and that makes you take a closer look. That is a quality in itself. Just when taken more time you quickly get bored with the lack of perfectionism that could have made the shot worth printing for example.

 

Most of my shots are far worse though and critising is what people like best ....lol. So in that sense sharing this photo and making yourself vulnarable for critics is the nicest and most unselfish thing to do...thanks!

[hdrmd]

The criticism is accurate, but what striking shot it is. Good work. DR

[mikeadams]

I think the blue sky is the real "subject," so I would crop off the street and the partials on the side. We would all see it differently of course.

 

Mike

http://www.mikeadams.org

[farnz]

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FWIW I think that the grid pattern on the street strengthens the photo by pulling the viewer in. If I was to try to improve on an already powerful image I'd take the shot from a slightly lower angle that would have included both of the round manhole covers prominently as a foreground feature.

 

All in all the shot demonstrates the enormous dof available with this lens and the compositional variations that it offers with 300 mm close focus distance that, regrettably, Leica lenses can't approach.

 

Pete.

[gwelland]

Tony,

 

Nice use of the wide angle capabilities of the CV 15. The close focus range of this lens is really useful although my greatest challenge is avoiding adding fingers to the shots when hand holding due to the shortness of the lens. I have to remember to make sure my fingers are curled in and that my feet aren't too far forward!

 

You could almost get down completely on the ground with this lens for an even more pronounced view of the line patterns across the road and distant residential view. Keep shooting and sharing and have fun!

[nikau]

I like the photo as it is. I like the way the street contrasts with the sky. I like the texture and clutter of the street. Through my eyes, all the elements of the picture interact well with one another.

[Guest sirvine]

You certainly made the entrance to the Midtown Tunnel look better than it does in real life... that is a dog of a neighborhood in general.

[girphoto]

I think the blue sky is the real "subject," so I would crop off the street and the partials on the side. We would all see it differently of course.

 

Mike

Mike Adams at San Jose State University

 

First, let me say that the photo does show how good the CV15 is and that is what the topic is. "CV15mmin NYC".

The grid lines take you into the image and the sky just becomes part of the overall.

 

If you take out the street and the sides, you wind up with a snap shot of some street in some city in some place USA and then you would have to change the title to Snapshot and it would have nothing to do with the CV15mm.

 

After living in NYC all my life except for the last 14 years (now in Florida) I have to say that the city never looked better.

Nice job using the CV15mm.

 

I have one that I started using and it is a lot of fun. But I do have a question are considerating the new shde and filter holder that John Milich is making?

I would love to see more of NYC in all of its 15mm glory

Gary

Gary I. Rothstein, Photography

[Artichoke]

snip

After living in NYC all my life except for the last 14 years (now in Florida) I have to say that the city never looked better.

Nice job using the CV15mm.

 

I have one that I started using and it is a lot of fun. But I do have a question are considerating the new shde and filter holder that John Milich is making?

I would love to see more of NYC in all of its 15mm glory

Gary

Gary I. Rothstein, Photography

for my critique

as I said I admire his photograph

for Gary I have two from NYC & the CV15 (sans filter, which I have on order) ...I spent a good deal of my youth in NYC & have never seen it looking cleaner ...which may not be an altogether good thing

first a photograph just outside of B&H Photo, shortly after I purchased it (it was not listed as in stock the day prior, but I got lucky)

this was taken "from the hip"

 

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one of the Flatiron building in which I tried to incorporate the street markings much as Tony C did in his offering

 

 

I do think WA lenses and in particular ultra wide angles, present special issues regarding their use ...I have gotten into the habit of using WA with a spirit level which is invaluable when shooting without looking through the viewfinder

 

I have larger versions & other samples here

M8 Photo Gallery by Artichoke Vinagrette at pbase.com

[holgerf]

I like the photo as it is. I like the way the street contrasts with the sky. I like the texture and clutter of the street. Through my eyes, all the elements of the picture interact well with one another.

 

Fully agree. I just have the opportunity to play around with a CV15 that was kindly lended to me. It strongly reminds me at my old Canon FD 20 mm I had with my Canon F1 in the pre-AF-times.

 

I loved this lens and the resullts you can get from a 20 mm lens if it is used carefully.

 

Now taking some shots with the M8 I really get keen on it again

 

Best

Holger

[carstenw]

I am glad you are having fun with the CV15. It is a bit weird shooting without a finder and focusing, but that also makes it fun. In my experience, it is really good from f/5.6 and excellent at f/8. Wide open it is a little soft in the far corners.

[holgerf]

It is a bit weird shooting without a finder…

 

That’s right but fortunately I may use my 24-mm-finder from Leitz which I used with my 24 ASPH on the M6. Though the framelines show me a view of an 18 mm lens it works pretty good - I just have to imagine the borderline being double thick to get a really good match.

 

Do you know whether Voigtländer is able to deliver the CV15 together with the finder of their 21 mm Skopar instead?

 

BTW - the lens sticks *very* tight in the body. Sometimes it’s really hard to take it of without screwing the lens out of the adapter. Did you make a similar experience?

 

Best

Holger

[carstenw]

The lens is not too tight on my M8, but once it was. I am not sure that it is good that it is now looser, but the adapter is a real Leitz... Hmm.

 

Voigtländer only delivers it with the 15mm adapter as far as I know, but since the 21mm adapter is the same as the 15, but with a set of framelines, it must be possible to get a little creative with some Tesa...