Distagon 2.8 15mm ZM anyone??

b.espahbod

b.espahbod

Optophile
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I'm going to burn a certain amount of money and one of my candidates as a fuel is Distagon 15 M-Mount. Does anyone have this little monster and any experiences? beside of the exotic glasses, fancy f2.8 and Lens Made in Germany engraving does anyone have any pictures from this babe that can encourage me to buy it?
 
thanks Roger helpfull as always. the prob is the distance between the heliar and Distagon in image quality is great. heliar 15 is a toy compared to distagon 15 while there is no alternative in between. by the way how is the resolution ive heard rumor that its the sharpest wide lens ever at all apertures?
 
I know it's not really needed but the fact it isn't rangefinder coupled annoys me. I bought the Hologon 16mm (Contax) and had an M-mount popped on it, works beautifully. Incredibly distortion free, f/8 only is interesting.

Back on topic, the Distagon is spectacular, really a heavy well built little monster.

Kent
 
b.espahbod said:
ive heard rumor that its the sharpest wide lens ever at all apertures?
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Can't say, but it seems likely. It is astonishingly crisp and sharp even at full aperture, and I didn't find the vignetting unacceptable at full aperture for pictorial shots.

As you say, it's a hell of a gap, but there's no real competition.

Cheers,

R.
 
Forgive me if this is a non-sequitur, but are you sure you need a 15mm? If not, you might be better served by getting the 18mm and the 15mm CV -- the 18mm is still extremely wide, superbly sharp, and it has the advantage of being rangefinder coupled. Also, it is MUCH cheaper. The whole Germany vs. Japan thing not a real issue (believe me, I own a ton from both places...good lenses are good lenses no matter what their provenance). For those times when you absolutely need the 15mm, the CV is tiny, cheap and still quite good.

Still pretty wide...
18mm-graffiti-man.jpg
 
hey stuart thats a very nice pic. Fuwen that was really helpful specially the aspect between Body and Lens!! and that was i really wanted to see this lens at architecture and indoor, thnx alot. oh 18 is fine and im going to get one but not on rangefinder the ZF nikon mount will be a better option for me.
 
StuartR said:
... you might be better served by getting the 18mm and the 15mm CV -- the 18mm is still extremely wide, superbly sharp, and it has the advantage of being rangefinder coupled. Also, it is MUCH cheaper... For those times when you absolutely need the 15mm, the CV is tiny, cheap and still quite good.
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I would have to agree. I have both the 18mm ZM and 15mm Heliar and find the former exceptional and the later "acceptable" (especially considering I may use it once every other year).

Even so, I was poised to buy the 15mm ZM when it was announced, but when I found out it wasn't RF coupled, I said "no way - not at that price!" I know it doesn't make any sense based on the wide DOF, but there it is...

The 18mm ZM is a sweet lens and comes in at a 24mm equivalent on the M8 – just fine for me.

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6842955
 
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I agree Bill. DOF is a relative concept -- focus is a plane; there is only one infinitely thin point that is actually in focus, no matter how wide the apparent depth of field. I know that is a pedantic argument, but if you are paying all those thousands of dollars for precision, why subject it to guess work? I am not confident that I could guess the distance accurately enough to use the 15mm f/2.8 wide open at a close distance, or at least not accurately enough to make it worth the extra money over the 15/4.5. But anyway, different people have different priorities (and abilities!). The 15/2.8 is not for me, but it sounds like it is for you, so go for it. When used properly it is a outstanding lens.
 
I've got the Zeiss 15/2.8, and the CV 12 & 15. I bought both CV's before the Zeiss but I like shooting in low light and wanted the 2.8.

Here is a recent low light shot with the Zeiss on an MP:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=91217&ppuser=5622

And a few shot on the RD-1:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=91361&ppuser=5622

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=91631&ppuser=5622

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=91706&ppuser=5622
 
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kram said:
Anyone seen a USED 15mm for sale -I have not seen one (orm an 85mm for that matter).
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I think I have seen two used ones on ebay since they came out. Maybe only three of the 18/4 distagons. It is really strange the 15/2.8 isn't RF coupled; the lack of RF coupling makes the 18/4 Distagon that much more special, as it takes second prize for widest RF coupled lens after the WATE.

Not only does Popflash have a used one, but there is a used set, including a Zeiss Ikon SW and the Zeiss 15mm VF.
 
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