ferider
Veteran
Anything wider than 28 is for lens tests only 🙂
I just can't seem to like the 15mm.
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back alley
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ferider
Veteran
Both Eyes wide open.
Built-in crop factor.
I have more like that ... 🙂
Built-in crop factor.
I have more like that ... 🙂
gb hill
Veteran
The only person I've seen who can do good people shots with a 15 is Al Kaplan. I think the length of ones arm has a bit of say in that too considering your pointing the lens back of onesself as well as the people behind you.😉
ampguy
Veteran
The CV 15 takes an expert to use right 😉 I'll post some photos with it taken from a mountain top last summer soon.
After my great photos from the mountain tops, I couldn't use it as a "regular lens" in any way, shape or form, so sold it, but recently bought another for special uses.
Note: the CV distorts a bit more than older good Japanese SLR lenses like the M42 18/3.4 (Kiron or Tamron) so I wouldn't lump the CV 15 in with other 15's, though it is a very good value, especially the LTM version with ext. VF.
BTW, I mainly use on the M8, so it has a narrower FOV.
After my great photos from the mountain tops, I couldn't use it as a "regular lens" in any way, shape or form, so sold it, but recently bought another for special uses.
Note: the CV distorts a bit more than older good Japanese SLR lenses like the M42 18/3.4 (Kiron or Tamron) so I wouldn't lump the CV 15 in with other 15's, though it is a very good value, especially the LTM version with ext. VF.
BTW, I mainly use on the M8, so it has a narrower FOV.
peterm1
Veteran
I hardly ever use ultra wides for these reasons. I much prefer something in the 50-90 range for most of my shooting. Very seldomly I can use a WA when I need to shoot in constrained spaces but this is way the exception.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Either A) sink into some great depression or B) sell it and get something you'll like? Doesn;t seem like rocket science to me...
It is just a lens after all.
It is just a lens after all.
ampguy
Veteran
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The 15 is the only lens I miss when moving to Nikon RF. I found it really hard to use with people directly but easy with structures and places. I'd strongly recommend a CV 25/4 as a replacement. It's my favorite general wide with a very low distortion ratio.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
MarkoKovacevic
Well-known
Would you recommend I keep the 15mm for shooting structures and places, and use a SLR/28mm for people?
Ronald M
Veteran
Learn to move in real close or take pics in small areas.
35/50/90 are the most useful lenses. Leica knew this back in 195x.
In fact sooner.
Unless you do sports or have some other exotic endeavor, these are all you need.
35/50/90 are the most useful lenses. Leica knew this back in 195x.
In fact sooner.
Unless you do sports or have some other exotic endeavor, these are all you need.
oftheherd
Veteran
A lens is a tool, just like all other photographic equipment. That coupled with the way you "see" is how to choose a lens. When I first started using SLR cameras, and looked at the photos and articles in the photo mags, I was convinced I had to have all the telephoto lenses in the world. It didn't take long for me to realize a lot of the photos I wanted, that didn't fit a 50mm lens, required wide over long. That had to do both with my subjects, and my evolving way to "see."
35mm was never really wide enough, 28mm was often adequate, but not always. I got a Spiratone 18mm and fell in love. Later when I could afford a 24mm, it was nice but never got used as much as the 18mm. I still have and use that lens. I hope one day to get at least a 28mm for my Kiev, and wish I could afford a 15mm. Until then, I will adapt with my feet and eyes, or use and SLR for wide.
You apparently don't see so wide. Don't stress. Find what you like and enjoy making photos.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I think the answer with the 15mm is not to fight it ... go with its perspective and use it as a tool. Portrait mode is this lens's secret strength IMO!
15mm is a superwide on film or full-frame digital, so does present challenges in use. It takes some experience and observation to make good use without the "wideness" issue overwhelming the image content.
But it's a different story with "crop sensor" digitals, giving an angle of view similar to 20mm with a 1.33 crop, 23mm with a 1.5 crop, or 30mm with the 2x crop from m4/3, and that's only moderately wide.
Here's a shot with 15mm and a 1.5x crop camera...
But it's a different story with "crop sensor" digitals, giving an angle of view similar to 20mm with a 1.33 crop, 23mm with a 1.5 crop, or 30mm with the 2x crop from m4/3, and that's only moderately wide.
Here's a shot with 15mm and a 1.5x crop camera...
MickH
Well-known
Keith's got it. That's a marvellous example of just how good a wide angle can be. I'd love a 15 or even better a 12.
I did enjoy the fisheye stuff Raid posted some months ago.
It's not distortion, it's 'lens characteristics'.
I did enjoy the fisheye stuff Raid posted some months ago.
It's not distortion, it's 'lens characteristics'.
MarkoKovacevic
Well-known
I would actually love a full frame fisheye!
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Marko,
A lot depends on your style and gear. The 15 can do stuff that no other lens can at the price point and size. While I use an SLR as part of my Film Kit, it's really only for 85 and above (OK, these days 85 and 300). While I have a 28/2.8 for her, it's only for backups and close-ups. I really like RF or P&S for normal/wide stuff (50mm and below). There's nothing wrong with shooting wide lenses on an SLR, many of us did it for years before coming back to RFs. I lump P&Ss in with RFs because when using a 15 or the old 21 or 25s there were no RF coupling so you needed to guess the distance. No big deal, I did it with a Bessa L and a CV 25/4 for years and it worked fine.
The big question is what works for you, what do you want to try, what are you in the mood for?
I really liked the 15 for what it allowed me to do. I might end up getting another in F mount some day. You have to lock the mirror up but no big deal. It just pop the finder on the replacement finder thingie (replaces the pentaprism) or on the hotshoe. But for now it's not a requirement.
I think the best way to shoot with the 15 is to look for long line that might be interesting when accentuate. Walk ways, paths, Vietnam Memorial, buildings. Look inside structures that are almost like vistas in side. Old cathedrals, the Guggenheim, and alike. Something that draws you into the picture, Park Ave in NYC. Look for lines that pull you in.
Hope this helps.
B2 (;->
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Mick,
I thought that too.But although I use a 15 moderately often (a few dozen times a year) I borrowed and reviewed the 12 when it came out and decided I could live without it.
Of course if I hadn't already owned a 15 (and a 14 for the Nikon) I might have felt differently.
Cheers,.
R.
Monz
Monz
Some examples from my flickr
1. Rooted to the Spot
M6, 15mm VM, BW400CN
2. Break Off!
M6, 15mm VM, BW400CN
3. Long Walk Home
M6, 15mm VM, BW400CN
4. Malvern Hills
M6, 15mm VM, TriX
5.Sky Bridge
M6, 15mm VM, TriX
6.Rat Race
M6, 15mm VM, TriX
7. Reading by Twilight
CLE, 15mm VM, Delta 400
8. Circles and Curves
M6, 15mm VM, Delta 400
9. Ice, Ice Baby
M6, 15mm VM, Acros 100
--
Monz
1. Rooted to the Spot
M6, 15mm VM, BW400CN
2. Break Off!
M6, 15mm VM, BW400CN
3. Long Walk Home
M6, 15mm VM, BW400CN
4. Malvern Hills
M6, 15mm VM, TriX
5.Sky Bridge
M6, 15mm VM, TriX
6.Rat Race
M6, 15mm VM, TriX
7. Reading by Twilight
CLE, 15mm VM, Delta 400
8. Circles and Curves
M6, 15mm VM, Delta 400
9. Ice, Ice Baby
M6, 15mm VM, Acros 100
--
Monz
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MickH
Well-known
Monz you sod, stop it, you'll cost me a fortune!🙂
