WATE for the Changing Weather

[lightpainter]

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I really like my 24asph, but the WATE was the right lens to do this job: these clouds mean the short period of sunny weather is coming to an end (big sigh!); at least, the M8 and the WATE (16/21mm) have captured a piece of my garden together with the dreadful forecast (I was too fast, so the lens coding in the firmware was off)

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[FMB]

Hello Heiner

 

In this days i was just thinking of buying a WATE and looking your wonderfull picture I ask myself if the opportunity has arrived.

 

 

I've M8 + 24 Elmarit, 35 cronasph, 50 cron and 90 cronapo, and wanted to accomplish the set. But I've a doubt: Has it (the WATE) enogh resolution? I've heard divergent opinions.

 

What do you think about?

 

Cheers,

 

Francisco.

[jaapv]

I really like my 24asph, but the WATE was the right lens to do this job: these clouds mean the short period of sunny weather is coming to an end (big sigh!); at least, the M8 and the WATE (16/21mm) have captured a piece of my garden together with the dreadful forecast (I was too fast, so the lens coding in the firmware was off)

 

 

Interesting bit of flare in the right hand upper- it actually adds to the photograph.

[lightpainter]

Hi Francisco, I always told myself I would never buy a vario lens for the Leica M, but I got the WATE plus finder directly from Leica and quite like it; I think the difference in resolution to fixed focus lenses is not really a problem; besides, I think it would add a nice wide angle bottom to your row of lenses.

 

Hello Heiner

 

In this days i was just thinking of buying a WATE and looking your wonderfull picture I ask myself if the opportunity has arrived.

 

 

I've M8 + 24 Elmarit, 35 cronasph, 50 cron and 90 cronapo, and wanted to accomplish the set. But I've a doubt: Has it (the WATE) enogh resolution? I've heard divergent opinions.

 

What do you think about?

 

Cheers,

 

Francisco.

[FMB]

Thank you, I think I'll do it.

 

Bye,

 

Francisco.

[jonoslack]

Hello Heiner

 

In this days i was just thinking of buying a WATE and looking your wonderfull picture I ask myself if the opportunity has arrived.

 

 

I've M8 + 24 Elmarit, 35 cronasph, 50 cron and 90 cronapo, and wanted to accomplish the set. But I've a doubt: Has it (the WATE) enogh resolution? I've heard divergent opinions.

 

What do you think about?

 

Cheers,

 

Francisco.

Hi Francisco - I've had the WATE since the spring, and I don't think you lose anything in resolution - I use it mostly for landscape work in good light, so I do stop down a little, but it's wonderfully sharp, right to the corners, and to me it has that inimitable Leica transparency.

 

Here's one from yesterday:

 

and here is 100% crop from the bottom right

you should allow for jpg compression etc.

 

I hope this helps!

[Guest s.m.e.p.]

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Interesting bit of flare in the right hand upper- it actually adds to the photograph.

 

Do you like the magenta flare in the lower left corner, too?

 

In the good old days of film photography without filters I didn´t see flare´s like this with LEICA HighEnd-Lenses.

[jaapv]

Hmmm.. Looks more like a diaphragm spot. That would be internal reflections inside the lens, and not caused by a filter. I've seen plenty of those over the years....Now the prismatic one on the top RH side, that is clearly filter flare.

[jonoslack]

Hmmm.. Looks more like a diaphragm spot. That would be internal reflections inside the lens, and not caused by a filter. I've seen plenty of those over the years....Now the prismatic one on the top RH side, that is clearly filter flare.

Hi Jaap

Hate to be contradictory

I've been using the WATE since March, and I only got the filter last week - I've seen many many of those prismatic flare marks - fortunately, they're usually small and easy to get rid of (when you want to).

 

I must say, I haven't seen anything nasty since using the filter (JM's wonderful gizmo), but I'm sure the same applies.

 

I agree with you about the diaphragm spot.

[FMB]

Thank you Jonathan for your pictures. I believe they are very representatives and, as I own

Superangulon R 21mm f:4 for my R4, I'm used to some problems with WA lenses if one demands more than they can do with external or odd lights. I'm positive that WATE will give far better than that old lens.

 

Bye, Francisco.

[jonoslack]

Thank you Jonathan for your pictures. I believe they are very representatives and, as I own

Superangulon R 21mm f:4 for my R4, I'm used to some problems with WA lenses if one demands more than they can do with external or odd lights. I'm positive that WATE will give far better than that old lens.

 

Bye, Francisco.

Hi Francisco

My pleasure - I'm sure I could have done better than that - the point of focus was somewhat forward, and I'd processed the file, but it was what was available, and as such fairly realistic.

The WATE is certainly sharper at 21 than my pre-ash 21 elmarit (but with a rather different character).

I really like the lens, and use all the focal lengths.

Good luck if you decide to get one.

[jaapv]

Hi Jaap

Hate to be contradictory

I've been using the WATE since March, and I only got the filter last week - I've seen many many of those prismatic flare marks - fortunately, they're usually small and easy to get rid of (when you want to).

 

I must say, I haven't seen anything nasty since using the filter (JM's wonderful gizmo), but I'm sure the same applies.

 

I agree with you about the diaphragm spot.

 

Ineteresting, Jono. Do you feel this is WATE-specific? Something in the coatings maybe?

[jonoslack]

Ineteresting, Jono. Do you feel this is WATE-specific? Something in the coatings maybe?

HI There

No, I think it's a function of high quality super wide zoom lenses probably (the Olympus 7-14 can do it as well).

I haven't seen it in any other Leica lenses though - it only happens when the sun is nearly in the picture - personally I don't see it as an issue, it's nearly always peripheral, and easy to clone out (if you don't like it).

[FMB]

Hello Jaap

 

You say "hummmm", "interesting..." and other unclear sentences... I infer WATE is not one of your favourite lenses. I think you have a 15 CV and you are happy with it.

 

Have you ever used WATE or have your photographer friends had a bad experience with it? Or simply do you consider has a bad ratio price/quality?

 

Please, before buying, tell me your opinion.

 

Best regards,

 

Francisco.

[jaapv]

The point is, Francisco, that I don't know, never having used it for more than a couple of shots in the shop. Yes, I find it an interesting lens and reports are that it is a superb one too. I am particularly impressed by the way Leica succeeded building such a compact and good multifocal lens in this range. And by the fact that it flares as little or less than the MATE did. So yes - I am unclear on the lens, and yes- I find it interesting, and no, I would not buy it, not because I dislike the lens, but because I am happy with my CV15, Zeiss 21 and (I get it tomorrow) 28.2.8 asph. But I do not think any buyer will be disappointed by the WATE.

Btw, my Hmmm was aimed at a supposed flare by the filter...

[FMB]

Many thanks, Jaap. I'm even more doubtfull. But I think I'll buy it.

 

Cheers,

 

Francisco.

[doug_m]

Buy it- it is great. However, you really need the Milich adapter etc.

[jonoslack]

Many thanks, Jaap. I'm even more doubtfull. But I think I'll buy it.

 

Cheers,

 

Francisco.

Hi Francisco

I have both (the WATE and the 15CV) and although the 15 is fine for many things, I still find that I get some vignetting and softer corners than I do with the WATE (not much, but noticeably so). Of course you also get the 18 and 21mm focal lengths, and they are much more different that suggested.

 

Doug is right though - you really do need the Milich adaptor to hold the IR filter (at $150 it really is beatifully made piece of kit).

 

I assume that you want good quality, well corrected, sharp wide angle pictures, and if that is the case you shouldn't be frightened of getting the WATE.

[FMB]

Thank you Douglas and Jono. I'llbuy it, BEFORE new price.

Bye, Francisco.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[ho_co]

We had a strong rumor over the weekend that Leica bei Meister had announced an October 1 price increase on M8 and WATE.

 

Has that been verified?

 

I certainly don't expect prices to fall, but last I heard, Leica bei Meister was the only source for the price increase information, and that was solely in their newsletter and didn't appear on their web site.

 

Is there more to go on now?

 

--HC