CV 15mm with adapter or M-mount

[briz]

Hi,
I'm considering the CV heliar 15mm. I can't decide beetween the old and the new version . The old version is a lot cheaper but needs adapter and is not RF- coupled. Is the newer version worth the extra costs?
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[Ronald_H]

A no name adapter can be had for 15$ including shipping. If you don't trust these, a VC adapter, or an old Leica one, is not really a big investment either.

With a 15mm lens you really, really, REALLY don't need the RF coupling. Even with a 25mm I rarely get out of focus pics. Just set it to hyperfocal and shoot away.

 

[Roger S]

I've just bought the older version myself for use on an M8. First impressions are very positive. With the DoF you get with this lens the rangefinder coupling is really unnecessary. As with all M-adaptors, though, go for a good one rather than a cheap one.

 

[Olsen]

I have the old with an adapter, but without rangefinder coupling. Still I will strongly recommend you to buy the M-version with rangefinder coupling. When testing the CV 15 alongside my WATE it is the lack of rangefinder coupling that does the greatest difference in sharpness. - Still there is a difference in sharpness between a correctly focused CV 15 and the WATE, - which is another story - but also a prity hefty price difference too.

Pay the extra for getting the new M-version with rangefinder coupling! It is still very cheap, anyway.

 

[sahe69]

If you're not into using filters then the old version + M-adapter will do the job just fine. I recently swapped to the new version but the ability to use filters for B&W photography was the sole reason for doing that.

 

[ed1234]

I bought the old version, as it come with the viewfinder. Just use scale focus.

 

[Disaster_Area]

I guess the biggest factor for me is: would you ever want to use the lens on a screw mount body? With the M version you won't have that option, if you ever wanted to pick up a Leica III or a Bessa L or T or any other screw mount body. Personally even when I've completely forgot to focus I've never had an OOF shot with mine.

 

[peter_n]

I recently sold the old version and bought the new one. The new one is bigger and is a lot more solid - better build quality. It feels like a quality lens. Like sahe69 above, I'm a filter user and the new 15 takes 52mm filters, a boon if you also use Nikon lenses. THE DOF is amazing and I haven't seen anything really OOF with the lens yet, but I'm trying! Personally I'm glad I upgraded, not just for the filters but because I think the ability to focus may make a difference some day on a big enlargement. If you don't use a screwmount Leica or foresee the use of one, I'd get the new version.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Agree with DA, I own and use a number of LTM bodies (Leica, Canon and FSU's). Therefore I seldom buy an M mount lens. I Have found the use of adapters very acceptable and problem free.

 

[Disaster_Area]

I'd get the LTM mount one purely because it's going to be discontinued most likely if Cosina follows its previous trends. You'll be able to buy an M mount one any time but the LTM ones are going to get very hard to come by and will probably even start going for collectors/rare prices in the next 5 years. It's the one of the widest affordable ultra wide you can get for LTM.. the 12mm being the other. 5 years from now when the LTM's are going for double or triple what the M mount is worth you can sell it, buy an M and have cash left over if you really don't need the flexability of LTM.

Actually... I should probably shut the hell up and buy a couple LTM's as a future investment 😉

 

[Zonan]

While there are a number of attractive benefits to the new version (cited above), I went with a used LTM version with the viewfinder included. Otherwise, you'd need to buy a viewfinder, raising the price of the new one considerably above the used price of an old version. If you are not comfortable shooting the 15mm focal length, you won't take a big hit on resale.

 

[Fuchs]

One of the attraction points for me in using an extreme wideangle is the ability to shoot using the strong perspective distortion such a lens produces, ie between a close object and the surrounding environment. A wide angle lens allows for "blown" (my term, sorry) images, with a strong first plane distinctly separated by perspective from the rest of the surroundings.
I have the first SM version of the CV15/4.5 and in this use, when trying at the same time to use selective focus with a shallow DOF at full aperture, the lack of RF coupling is sometimes irritating. I know that for this kind of use a SLR could be considered mandatory, as there is greater control of composition and parallax through a TTL viewfinder, but I tend to use the M8 almost always.
Taking into consideration that the CV15+M8 is equivalent to a 21mm on film, back when I used the M6, it always made a difference to carefully focus the Elmarit-M 21/2.8 for this same kind of shots.
So, I am looking forward to exchange my LTM version with a RF coupled M mount version.

 

[Tom A]

For "quick" shooting you can get away with the LTM version (and the fact that you get a finder with it is a bonus). However, using filters is a hassle and the lack of coupled rangefinder comes into play at close focussing and wide open shots.
I have both, but the one that gets the most use is the M-mount version. It can take 52mm filters, it is better built (though I never had a problem with the old one in this aspect). You are also less likely to include fingers etc with the M-version as it is a bit larger and more ergonomic in use.
If you are using it with a M (digital/Film) go for the M-mount. If you are a film-shooter and want a dedicated body for it, pick up a Bessa R or Bessa L and get the LTM version. Small and light enough to slide into a bag with making you tilt!

 

[robklurfield]

the filter issue mentioned by Tom is what sold me on the M-mount. I have no regrets, but I also have no Barnacks to mount a LTM on, so this was an easy choice. the build quality is really nice. if none of that is an issue, get yourself the ltm and enjoy. great lens either way.

 

[ampguy]

I've had both, but now use the LTM version. It's smaller, and with the M version, I didn't need the coupling, nor filters. Also, the LTM version comes with a much needed VF, which makes it several hundred less.

I'm not sure the M version should take filters, at least standard ones without spacers. Sure, it does have the 52mm threading, but it comes so close to the front element, that it will likely flare or vignette, or touch the front element.

It's hard to imagine needing RF coupling with this lens.

 

[Tom A]

I have used filters on my M-mount Heliar 15 since I got it. mainly red/orange and yellow for bl/w and has had no problem with flare. These are standard Nikon 52mm filters - left over from years of using Nikon SLR's - some thick rim B&W and some thin rimmed Nikon - no vignetting either.
The coupling is a nice additional feature - in most cases not necessary - but working at closest focussing distance (the R4M/A will focus down to 0.5 m) it is advantageous. If you use it on a M8/RD1 the conversion factor also pushes the focal length and when you get to 20mm and beyond - scale focussing is more tricky.

 

[sahe69]

Tom, having been myself spoiled by the Zeiss 21 mm finder, I was wondering if you had any comparative experience of the Zeiss and CV 15 mm finders?

 

[SRam13]

I have used filters on my M-mount Heliar 15 since I got it. mainly red/orange and yellow for bl/w and has had no problem with flare. These are standard Nikon 52mm filters - left over from years of using Nikon SLR's - some thick rim B&W and some thin rimmed Nikon - no vignetting either. (SNIP)

I have the M-mount version of the lens; it's fun to use. I'd like to place a good UV filter to protect the front element. So I won't need a thin filter after all; a regular UV filter will not vignette the images?

 

[back alley]

i use the ltm 15 on my rd1 and it works great, possibly my favourite lens on that camera.
i have been tempted by the newer m mount version but i really like the ltm's smaller size.
maybe someday.

 

[flip]

I was sold be the flexibility of LTM. I wish I could put a UV filter on it for protection, though. Typically, with these lenses, I stow the push-on cap and clip a cap into a UV filter or hood. Not an option here. (unless you get the BIG filter adapter).

Side note: with LTM adapter, the built-in hood sits a bit rotated to one side, but I have not seen any effect in the photographic output.