RF-Addict
Well-known
Could those of you who own the 21mm VC Skopar provide me with some feedback on the quality of the lens? How is edge to edge sharpness and contrast? I want this to be my next RF lens, but want to make sure that it is a good performer - it certainly would be a great value. Thanks for your help!
erik515
Leica M6
Color Skopar
Color Skopar
It is a wonderful lens. Sharpness and contrast are excellent edge-to-edge. Used it for this pic in my gallery: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=30908&ppuser=4912
Color Skopar
It is a wonderful lens. Sharpness and contrast are excellent edge-to-edge. Used it for this pic in my gallery: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=30908&ppuser=4912
Nando
Well-known
It's a wonderful lens. I find that its very sharp from edge to edge. I was a bit concerned about its speed at first but it hasn't been a factor for me yet.
Here are some indoor shots:
When I first got the lens from Cameraquest, I did find the focusing ring to be a bit stiff in comparison to my CV 35 Ultron and 75 Color-Heliar but over time it loosened up.
Here are some indoor shots:
When I first got the lens from Cameraquest, I did find the focusing ring to be a bit stiff in comparison to my CV 35 Ultron and 75 Color-Heliar but over time it loosened up.
RF-Addict
Well-known
Thank You! The photographs are very convincing indeed. I guess Stephen will have a paypal payment from me when he comes back from vacation
BrianPhotog
Well-known
Contrast is high, typical of Skopars. This isn't so important if you shoot color, but I'm 99% B&W and prefer more of a midtone range then higher contrast. Sharpness is excellent at all fstops. As soon as I scan the last few negs I'll post a review at http://cosina-voigtlander.com. Here are a couple of shots to give you an idea of the way it renders images in B&W.
Film was ERA100 in Rodinol (1+50) for 14m @20C. Click to make them big
Film was ERA100 in Rodinol (1+50) for 14m @20C. Click to make them big
jmi
Established
Like everybody else said
Slightly tangential to your question, one of the other nice things about this lens is that it'll take a normal 39mm filter without vignetting, which means I can share with my other lenses and still use the "hood" too. Must be a pretty tight fit but it works.
My scanning (and scanner) suck so don't take the lack of resolution in these as being from the lens...
Wide open @ f/4
f/8 ish
Slightly tangential to your question, one of the other nice things about this lens is that it'll take a normal 39mm filter without vignetting, which means I can share with my other lenses and still use the "hood" too. Must be a pretty tight fit but it works.
My scanning (and scanner) suck so don't take the lack of resolution in these as being from the lens...
Wide open @ f/4
f/8 ish
oscroft
Veteran
Yep, same as everybody else said too
It's very sharp and contrasty, right to the edges - at the price, I think it is stunning.
It's very sharp and contrasty, right to the edges - at the price, I think it is stunning.
PikesPeak
Newbie
No chit-chat necessary... am glad you are going to order it.
It will be one of the best wide angle lenses in your arsenal.
It will be one of the best wide angle lenses in your arsenal.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Adding my vote of confidence. I haven't used mine nearly enough...but I will.
mike_j
Established
Another vote for it. Great lens and very usable viewfinder even when wearing glasses.
thafred
silver addict
Go for this lens!! (oh, you allready do..very good)
It´s such a good lens I think it might even be the sharpest of my CV lenses (nokt.50/Ultron28/Skopar21)..you really cannot go wrong with it!
I bought a cheap small digital camera case for it (with an small attached case for batteries/cards) were the skopar securely rests (the battery case houses the VF) and it´s allways with me!
I used it in Istanbul even in interiors with ASA400 film and got very sharp slides back at 1/8 or 1/15 soo easy to handhold a 21 so f4 is of no concern for me. (to get vignetting free images sharp from edge to edge you need to stop down a little but even at 4 it´s sharp enough for me in the corners...center is allways perfect)
contrast is on the high side but I love the colour rendition i get from it.
heres some shots to prove my point ;-)
at f5,6 I love the detail straight to the corners (on TriX)
f8 or11 on Provia 400f after the rain:
f4 at 1/8th iirc .. the room was only lit by window light and the ceiling was dark(provia400f)
last one...also at f4 about 1/8 on Press 800 (but scan is from a print):
I hope this is helpfull (just in case you´r still undecided ;-)
It´s such a good lens I think it might even be the sharpest of my CV lenses (nokt.50/Ultron28/Skopar21)..you really cannot go wrong with it!
I bought a cheap small digital camera case for it (with an small attached case for batteries/cards) were the skopar securely rests (the battery case houses the VF) and it´s allways with me!
I used it in Istanbul even in interiors with ASA400 film and got very sharp slides back at 1/8 or 1/15 soo easy to handhold a 21 so f4 is of no concern for me. (to get vignetting free images sharp from edge to edge you need to stop down a little but even at 4 it´s sharp enough for me in the corners...center is allways perfect)
contrast is on the high side but I love the colour rendition i get from it.
heres some shots to prove my point ;-)
at f5,6 I love the detail straight to the corners (on TriX)
f8 or11 on Provia 400f after the rain:
f4 at 1/8th iirc .. the room was only lit by window light and the ceiling was dark(provia400f)
last one...also at f4 about 1/8 on Press 800 (but scan is from a print):
I hope this is helpfull (just in case you´r still undecided ;-)
Nando
Well-known
Thafred and Jimi,
Those are sweet photos. This lens is great for architecture.
Those are sweet photos. This lens is great for architecture.
RF-Addict
Well-known
Wow! Thanks everybody - what amazes me when I see these pictures is how distortion free the lens is - just look at thafred's tri-x picture of the stone floor - that is truely amazing.
How can I get Gandy to come back from vacation early, so he can ship me this jewel NOW? I want it, I want it, I want it now:bang:
How can I get Gandy to come back from vacation early, so he can ship me this jewel NOW? I want it, I want it, I want it now:bang:
dazedgonebye
Veteran
RF-Addict said:
Drop by my work at lunch today and you can borrow mine.
I'm just south of the 101 near Hayden.
RF-Addict
Well-known
dazedgonebye said:
That is a very generous offer, but I will pass on it - I'd be too worried that something would happen to your lens, but thanks again for the offer.
I live in northern Scottsdale almost in Carefree, just south of El Pedgral.
Juergen
dazedgonebye
Veteran
No problem...anytime if you change your mind.
Andy Aitken
Registered Loser
What can I add? It's a superb lens and, at least for me, the slow speed isn't so much of a problem on wides and super-wides. It also makes a great "28" on an M8.
Do be aware that there's a new version on the way before you buy though.
Do be aware that there's a new version on the way before you buy though.
RF-Addict
Well-known
I know about the new version of the 21 - but it'll come without a VF - the existing 21 is such a sweet deal that it is hard to pass up. One of these days I want to get a digital RF and the 21 VF will come in handy for the 15mm lens (considering the crop factor of the sensor). I just don't see much downside in getting the current version of the 21.
like2fiddle
Curious
I'm curious about why you chose the 21 and not the 25. I'm considering one or the other and was leaning toward the 25 so I'd like to hear your reasons for your choice if you don't mind sharing them. Thanks.
Bingley
Veteran
I'm curious about the same thing: why the 21 and not the 25?