15mm vs 21mm CV lenses

[Snapper_uk]

This is my first time on this site, I can't believe I've never come across it before...

Having been snapping happily away with my R2A and 50mm for a while, I'm now looking for something a bit wider. I'm working in London now want to do some architecture/urban/street shots at lunchtimes, but I tried a Ultron 35mm and it just wasn't big enough!

I've been looking in the forum for a 'CV 15mm vs 21mm' thread and can't find one - so, here's the question - what would you recommend? I'm thinking of getting a Bessa L at the same time using the Robert White offer that's on at the moment, but would use the lens on the R2A as well.

I'm mostly interested in the final image quality. Is the 15mm too wild and not easy to work with due to not being coupled? Is the 21mm too narrow for unusual and impressive architecture shots, and can it be used easily with the L?

 

[RML]

The non-coupling is a non-issue for the 15 and the 25. All the lenses from 25 and wider are extremely easy to use on the L. I've used an L + 25 for a year as my sole camera, taking it time and time again on trips to Mongolia, China and India. See my _photo portfolio_ for many examples, especially in the PAWs before 2005.

 

[Fred]

If your going for the Bessa L (as I did at the Focus on Imaging show earlier this month) I'd go for either the 21 or the 25, the 15 is incredibly wide and may distort too much for some architecture shots. All three lenses come with a separate VF so you can use them on the L no problem.

As you've already used the 35 Ultron and found it too narrow an angle I'd suggest using the full view finder on the R2A which is close to the angle from a 28 lens, if this is nearly wide enough I'd go for the 25, otherwise consider the 21.

I use the 28 Skopar with a CV 28 vf (purchased separately), the CV 21 and the CV 15 on my L. I already had the 28 and as I could pick up the external vf for 49 pounds it was a lot cheaper than getting the 25 as well. My 35 Ultron gets used also using a Helios multi finder I got cheap from Mr Cad in the January sale.

Good luck with your purchase and have a lot of fun with the L, it's a lot better and more fun than you may think.

 

[Talisker]

The 15mm is addictive, but you have to keep it on axis, and I've got the 25mm to fall back on for more general use. If you only plan on buying one lens (and we like our toys here!), the 21mm seems a good compromise.

 

[kruskee]

I have them both. The 21 is a very nice and useful lens, with excellent quality. The 15 is pretty wild and not of the same image quality. It really vignettes a lot. Two different animals for two different uses IMHO. I like them both, but use the 21 more.

 

[jcline]

I too have both lenses. I would agree the 15 is addictive, I will add its not always easy to tame. Either is a great lens but you might find the 21 more versatile. Exposures with the 15 can be picky at times. I am tempted by the 25 or 28 and the L, something to leave in your coat pocket.

 

[eric mac]

Less is more

Less is more

I also have both the 15 and 21. The 15 is just too wide and you have to pay attention or you will get your finger or foot in the picture. The 21 is my standard on the Bessa L. Focussing isn't a problem because they are so wide that everything is in focus. I'd choose the 21 over 15.

Eric

 

[billwheeler]

I like using super wide lenses a lot. I have a 20mm lens for my slr and recently bought a CV 15mm lens. I bought the 15mm lens because I already owned a 20mm lens. The CV 21mm lens is 1/2 stop faster than the 15mm lens. In addition, the 21mm lens is rangefinder coupled. Finally, unlike the 15mm lens, the 21mm lens takes filters. I shoot b&w film and the 15mm lens renders the sky beautifully even without a filter; in fact, the 15mm lens renders tones beautifully. I suppose if I did not own a 20/21mm lens and were to purchase one of the VC superwide lenses, I would buy the CV 21mm lens. I am enclosing a recent picture taken with the CV 15mm lens. I am also using the lens for portraits, but at this time have no images for posting on the web.

 

[Snapper_uk]

Thanks for the advice - I went for the 21mm in the end and had great fun using it with the Bessa L body, although give me the aperture priority of the R2a anyday. I'll post some pics when I print them.

 

[sunsworth]

Another vote for the 21. I have both, but I've used the 21 a lot more than the 15. The 21 is probably the biggest bargain in the CV catalogue. It really is very good indeed.

Steve

 

[vanau]

slightly OT. please help with info 🙂

slightly OT. please help with info 🙂

I see several posts of owners of both lenses. I just bought them and Ill get them in a few days. But I only have the 21mm finder, not the 15.
Could someone please thell me if I can use the 21mm finder with the 15mm lens? I noticed someone on the web a review saying that the 21mm finder is in fact a 15mm finder with framelines for 21mm angle. But id rather like to hear your opinion.
I bought them for architectural shots, quickies, so to speak, as for tough jobs Id go for the mamiya 7 43mm 🙂
Thanks,
Liviu

 

[peter_n]

I had a 21 but was never really comfortable with the focal length for some reason. I sold it and got a 15 and really love it but only for very tight and cramped situations. (I do get into them sometimes... 😉 )

I recently got a 24mm lens and I really like that. Used it extensively yesterday and it was just perfect for the situation I was in. It is very wide but not a super-wide like the 21 or 15 but I love the FOV I get from that lens. The CV 25 isn't rangefinder coupled but I really don't think its a problem as DOF will take care of most things.

If you can try and borrow/rent these focal lengths it might help. It seems that the various choices are strongly influenced by personal preferences.

 

[sunsworth]

Liviu, that's exactly how I use my 15mm, I use the 21mm viewfinder and ignore the framelines. Both viewfinders - 15 and 21 - are approximate anyway. If you really needed framing accuracy you'd be using and SLR 🙂

Steve

 

[dostacos]

if all you have is the 50, you may find the 15 way to wide a step, just a thought. the 35 is a great lens I would have bought the 21 but the 25 came up at a good price on the bay so.....

I have the 25mm and the 35mm, my next will be either the 21 or the 90 [why? because they make it!], probably the 21, I think for me the 15 will be too wide

 

[dmchadderton]

Get the 21 or 25. The 15 is great for confined spaces, like indoors, but f4 limits it a little inside whilst the (not too bad) vignetting limits its use for outdoors/architecture. That said, I loved mine and it can certainly get shots when other photographers give up.

The 25 is a curious beast (caveat: never used it!) ... it's not RF coupled but the dof combined with a selection of focus ranges (no standard focus ring, just presets) makes it a killer street lens and I believe that it's good quality as well.

The 21 has many devoted followers, the focussing vs dof is again not an issue, and the results are excellent vfm.


I guess the 25 may not be wide enough for some of the narrow streets in London, but it'll be the business for cafe/tube/bus/cab 'street' shots.

 

[Doug]

The 25 is a curious beast (caveat: never used it!) ... it's not RF coupled but the dof combined with a selection of focus ranges (no standard focus ring, just presets) makes it a killer street lens and I believe that it's good quality as well.

DM, that would be curious, but there is indeed a conventional focus ring that focuses continuously from Inf down to 0.7m, and which uniquely features handy click positions at 1.0, 1.5, and 3.0 meters. It's great for narrow streets, courtyards, and alleyways. The 21 and 25mm are both f/4 lenses while the max aperture of the 15 is f/4.5.

 

[billwheeler]

I own a vc 15mm lens and a 20mm nikkor lens for my slr camera. As others have said, focusing these super-wide lens is a non-issue. The 15mm lens produces crisp images with pleasing contrast; in particular, I like the way the lens renders the sky in b&w photographs. I bought the lens a few weeks ago and will use it for six months or so before deciding whether or not to keep it. This said, I feel sure I would be equally happy with the vc 21mm lens. I cannot speak from first-hand experience about the optical quality of the 21mm lens in comparison with the 15mm lens. Let us know your decision. I am attaching two pictures, a portrait and a landscape, made with the 15mm lens.

 

[Doug]

Interesting environmental portrait, Bill, and tough to do. The photographer in his darkroom/workspace, good context.

 

[Ergo]

Hi,search "15/4.5" and "21/4" here on RFF.

I just got my 15 and finder and am waiting for pix to come back.

I thought it might be too wide but from others pix i see,i think i will like it lots.

Maybe a 21 is also in my future.

 

[taffer]

Yes Ergo, that search works, since it brought me here 🙂

I just acquired a 15/4.5 from a member here, the first look though that finder is wild !

For sure it's going to be fun to use it 🙂

Oscar