15mm vs 21mm CV lenses

[BJ Bignell]

It seems from reading these posts that there is a real divide between people: those who can go wider than 21 (and thrive on it), and those who can't! I'm in the second group; I tried the 15 and found that it was definitely too wide.

I bought the 21 instead of the 25 because it's rangefinder-coupled. I know that at these focal lengths it's not such a big deal, but I like to have it, especially for close-up work, where these wide-angle lenses can (sometimes) be really interesting. Also, the wider lenses tend to be slow, and I decided that anything with a maximum aperture slower than f4 is too slow for me.

 

[Snapper_uk]

I got the 21mm a few weeks ago (pics to follow), but when I screw in the lens, the centre mark on the f-scale on the lens barrel does not go centrally on the camera - it's about 5mm off centre. Is this a fault or will it cause a problem with focussing?

 

[Nikon Bob]

I got the 21mm a few weeks ago (pics to follow), but when I screw in the lens, the centre mark on the f-scale on the lens barrel does not go centrally on the camera - it's about 5mm off centre. Is this a fault or will it cause a problem with focussing?

There have been some posts on this issue here and if I recall correctly it will not cause any focussing problems. There is also a solution involving removing the lens mount and rotating it, I think. If you do a search here you may be able to find the posts.

Nikon Bob

 

[petebown]

I've got a 1936 Leica lens that mounts 30 degrees out on my R2A. Its annoying, but the lens is 70 years old, so I forgive it. I do wonder how it would sit on a 1936 Leica body though.

 

[peter_n]

The earlier Leica lenses were machined to stop at about the 1 o'clock position so that the user could easily read the scales on the barrel with a finder on the top of the camera. Some modern Japanese lenses (Kobalux for example) seem to follow the practice. Ever seen the size of the Kobalux 21mm finder? 😉

Snapper you shouldn't have a problem there. Welcome to the forum BTW! 🙂

 

[Snapper_uk]

Just how sharp is the 21mm lens? The last set of pics I've got back are a bit on the soft side - I've mostly used the lens at f/8, I love the perspective but the sharpness even in 7x5" prints is dissappointing. Have I got a duff lens, or are they all like this?

 

[Snapper_uk]

Here are some pics from my first roll - just straight scans of the negs, so not great prints...

 

[Snapper_uk]

a few more....

 

[raid]

I am not comfortable with lenses wider than 24mm. I was using 17mm and 7.5 lenses with an SLR, but the results are only good if the situation warranted such lenses. With my rangefinder camera, the 25mm/4 is a great little lens that can be used for street photography and for nature photography with very little distortion.

 

[Fred]

Hi Snapper,

I cannot really say that I have experienced softness with the 21. My recent example with this lens:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=33589&cat=500&ppuser=1521

I have heard that stopping down more than F11 this lens is lower contrast. Best at f5.6 - f8 I gather. Similar to the 15mm which really goes off above f11. Your examples although viewed on the PC monitor look good (really like the angles). Full size darkroom printed this may of course be different. Do you mean softness in contrast or overall sharpness?

 

[Snapper_uk]

I meant in overall sharpness, but the contrast is not great either.

 

[Fred]

I guess it may be a lens problem then. Good luck with a resolution to the problem as from your examples you are producing some great shots with the 21 FL.