15 and 21 - Makes sense to have both?

[Mr. Inky]

If I have the 15/4.5, would getting the 21/4 be too close in terms of focal length? I've always considered it a big enough gap, but was curious as to what others think. My only other rangefinder lens at the moment is a 35/1.7.

Thanks!

Duc

 

[back alley]

21 is a lot more 'normal' than the 15.
25 is more normal than the 21.

 

[peter_n]

They are not close in focal length, at least I don't think so. I did sell my 21 though and bought a 15 and a 24. Much happier with those two focal lengths but of course YMMV.

 

[drewbarb]

I have a 15mm, a 21mm, and a 25mm. I use the 21mm most of the three lenghts, but if the 25 was coupled, I might use that one most. But I might not.

I have the CV versions of all three of these; I got the 15 and the 21 each for less than $300, and the 25 came with a camera which I sold, making the 25 basically free. That's all with the finders. At these prices, to me it's worth having them all and not worrying. (Of course one good Leica lens costs more, like the 24mm ASPH which I sold for far more than I paid for all three of the CV lenses.)

 

[fuwen]

In my opinion 15mm and 21mm is not close in terms of focal length.

Between the two 21mm can be general purpose and 15mm for more dramatic effect.

But in certain cases especially scenary shots both can produce pictures that look very normal.

 

[rbiemer]

The numbers of these lenses seem close but as one gets towards the wider angles these "small" differences become significant, I think.
The 15mm lens has something like a 20 degree wider field of view than the 21mm(110 deg. vs 90.9 deg. according to CameraQuest's lens chart).
By way of example, the difference between the 28 and 35 mm lenses is a more modest 12 degrees for almost the same focal length difference.
Does it make sense to have both 15 and 21? Can't answer for you, but I have the 21 now and want the 15.
Rob

 

[rich815]

I have the 21 Biogon for my Contax G2. I also have a Bessa L (ok, actually a Cosina 107 SW) with the 15 Super-Wide Heliar. Very different lenses and very different uses. I'll admit I hardly use the 15 as it's quite specialized but I like having it around and I obtained it and the Cosina used at very nice prices.

They are not even close. The 21 can be a great single walk-around lens. I'd rarely be found with only the 15.

 

[dostacos]

I want a 15mm and a Bessa L to use it on.

buy the lens and Stephen will give you a break on the camera 😀
$444 for silver body and lens 😎

 

[andreas]

Big enough, for sure!

Big enough, for sure!

Hello Mr. Inky,
i own both focal lenghts, love both, but they are very different. These 6mm difference are much more critical than, let`s say, the 7mm between 28 and 35. The CV 4/21 would be my first choice to fill the gap between 15 and 35. As a bonus, you can use the whole of the external viewfinder of the 21 with your 15 too. Only one to carry.
Hope this is helpful,
andreas


www.myspace.com/tiredmusik

 

[Mr. Inky]

Thanks for the all helpful replies! I didn't know that the whole viewfinder for the 21 could be used for the 15!

 

[morgan]

Great thread. I'm also toying with something between my 15 and 35. It sounds to me like the 21 might be the way to go. How distorted vertically does the 21 get? Do people look like people near the edges? 🙂

Sometimes the 15 is just too special effect for me.

 

[back alley]

Thanks for the all helpful replies! I didn't know that the whole viewfinder for the 21 could be used for the 15!

i wear glasses and find it very uncomfortable to use the 21 finder for the 15 lens.

 

[uhligfd]

I like lenses in about a factor 1.33 to 1.5 multiplicative progression. Such as 16mm, 21mm, 28, 45, 55, 75, 105, 135, 180, 300, ... etc.

Additive focal length differences do not make sense: a 180 mm and a 200mm lens have nearly the same in field of view, yet they are 20mm focal length apart. What is the difference in field of view between a 15mm and a 35mm? Huge! Both lens pairs are additively different by the same 20mm. The 180/200 pair is multiplicatively apart by a factor of only around 1.1, the 15/35mm pair by a factor greater than 2.3. There is the hitch!

Now a 21 mm is around 1.5 times your 15mm focal length. So, yes: quite a different perspective and quite necessary in my view.