15mm tips and finder alternatives?

[PatrickCheung]

Hey rff!

I recently acquired the VC 15mm! In my DSLR days I used a Sigma 10-20mm on my D7000 and found it a blast! I wanted something similar for my M and so I opted for the 15mm 🙂

I normally and almost exclusively take photos of people. I'm used to 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, but it seems as if the 15 is something I need to learn again!

Using it on the DSLR (1.5 x 10mm = 15mm!) was easy... TTL framing and what not, but with the 15mm, I don't have the 15mm finder for film or 21mm finder for digital!

I've started to get the hang of it... move in close and snap away for more pleasing people shots. Though it's kind of hard judging distance... even at an arms length away, people start getting compressed into the background and end up taking up very little space in-frame.

How do you people photographers use this lens? How close are you to your subjects when you trip the shutter?

And I guess... is there an alternative to the super pricey VC finders for 15mm and 21mm? I kinda spent all my money on this lens and have none left for the finders! I see some $20 finders in 15mm and 21mm "handmade" in Israel by the seller boriska_gr. Though... the 15mm model and 21mm model look exactly the same... I'm wondering if these are usable as alternatives to VC finders!

Thanks 🙂
Patrick

 

[nikonosguy]

Get the cv finder. There's a few on Amazon

Best tip: get closer

 

[GaryLH]

When I bought my 15 back in the film days they came w/ the ovf.

U could get the 15 and DIY 21 mask for it.

Gary

 

[stompyq]

If you center the subject with the 15mm there's virtually no distortion. Also GET CLOSE.

 

[GaryLH]

I was thinking something like the super thin graphic arts black border tape my wife used to use on her interior design projects or cutting a cardboard mask/hood to be put over the 15 ovf for the 21 perspective.

Gary

 

[traveler_101]

Excellent lens, but this FOV is all about cityscape.--buildings, streets, pavements: it's amazing hat you can do with it. My advice is to expand your repertoire; and when you do use it for people make sure they are dead center in your frame; otherwise they appear distorted.

 

[PatrickCheung]

Thanks for all the tips 🙂 Yeah getting people centered is what I'm trying to work on! I just got a roll back with the 15mm... lots to work on! but it's interesting.

I actually primarily bought this lens as an architecture lens... Being in architecture school, we go on alot of trips to see many cool buildings... and sometimes even the 28 isn't wide enough 🙁

I really want a 15mm finder... though I don't wanna pay so much for the VC one. If anyone has experience with the boriska finders.. I'd be more than happy to hear!

 

[stompyq]

There's a guy on ebay that sells really cheap finders off Israel I think. Never tried them so don't know how they would compare.

 

[GaryLH]

If u have access to a machine shop for various projects, the absolute cheapest is a diy wireframe finder.. But w/o live view capability, getting people perfectly framed it the center is going to be hard as u get tooo close no matter what type of ovf solution..

Btw these days a have heard about people doing multi-stitch and pp distortion adjustment for buildings w/o using super wide or pc lenses.

It is a fun lens.
Gary

 

[zuiko85]

How about a door hole fish eye lens mounted on an accessory shoe. Get the better lens with a bigger front element and mask with tape the field of view.

Or look for the shoe mounted viewfinder for the Holga fish eye attachment lens and mask that to the correct view. I think these Holga vievfinders are less than $10 + shipping from Holga Direct.

 

[GaryLH]

Btw the 12 and 5 cv have sooo much depth of field.. Why not seat the hyper focal and shoot from the hip so what type of interesting fun shots u get.

Gary

 

[biomed]

The CV finder for the 21 is the same as the 15 except it has the frame lines for the 21. I often use the 21 finder for both lenses - frame lines for the 21 and entire FOV of the finder for the 15. I definitely recommend the CV finders.

Mike

 

[PatrickCheung]

Again, thanks for all the tips... especially with the DIY stuff. I do have access to a 3D printer during the school term (which won't be until another four months), I wonder if I can get a working prototype out of that.

The door glass sounds wonderful, and so do the holga options!

And Mike, thank you for the heads up... that could be a solution! I'll have to look into that.