New Voigtlander 12/5.6 VM and Metal VF Arrived!

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The first shipment of the rangefinder coupled VM 12/5.6 M mount and improved brightline metal 12mm viewfinder has arrived at CameraQuest.

voigt_12m3.jpg



* New M version has same optics as the previous version Screw Mount 12/5.6
* New version is M bayonet mount - fits all Leica M mount cameras
* New M version now has rangefinder coupled focusing, not lens distance scale focusing as before
* Rangefinder Close focus .7m - if your camera's rangefinder can focus that close
* Scale focusing from .5m to .7m
* Weight 230 grams, length 42.5 mm
* New M version takes 67mm filters without a filter adapter like original version required
* New M version has larger built in lens hood
* New improved metal viewfinder now has brightline and is about 1/2 size of original 12mm viewfinder

Lens $849, Viewfinder $349

info page http://cameraquest.com/voigt_12VM.htm

Free lens shipping world wide if you provide your RFF ID with payment

Paypal to Stephen@CameraQuest.com

Thanks for looking,

Stephen
 
I bought a copy of this lens at Photo Village on Friday and I must say it's well worth the money.

The viewfinder (which I also purchased) is much more practical than the old "television screen" that came with the LTM 12mm. It is also impossibly bright, given the field of view.

All the literature says the optical formula is the same, but what people don't seem to realize is that the purple tint you get when you angle this lens in light implies a richer lens coating, possibly producing sharper images. I sold my old LTM version, but I will compare new photos to old as I get to know this new toy!
 
Well, Leica does not even make one that wide. I shudder to think what they would charge for one if they did!
The M-mount 12 and 15 are far more user friendly than the LTM versions. The coupled rangefinder does come into it's own when you start going in close. It is probably not necessary - but it is convinient.
The new finder is a huge improvement. I was always worried about the old one slipping off and landing on the pavement - and just like the buttered toast theory - they always landed on the front glass and usually cracked it. The new one is tiny in comparison and the small "ears" does protect the front element somewhat.
That the finder is bright and contrasty - well - we now take that for granted from Cosina. I still have not figured out how they can make an image in the finder that appears brighter than reality!!!
 
anyone know how much light falloff there is on this lens? and what do you think about using a centre graduated filter for this? i dont think i would have much problems shooting it in the day time but indoor photos with an nd filter on may make it a pain
 
12mm 5.6 M-mount. @ 5.6 and 1/15. Yokohama, Japan. There is a bit off fall off - but much less than one would expect with a 12mm! Fully stopped down it will show a bit more. I have never used it with a center graduated filter - never seen the need for it.
 

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Is the close focusing limit on the new one really 0.5m? On the old one it was 0.3m. Could make a difference for the folks using them on Micro 4/3 cameras.
 
Yes. it is 0.5 meters - it was not possible to make it work down to 0.3m and keep the coupled rangefinder (the cam would have interfered). Using it on Micro/4thirds is not that big a problem as you can either use Live View or check focus on the screen. With a flim-body -your screw-ups remain hidden until you reach the darkroom!
If you spend your life up close and personal (between 0.3-0,5 m) - just the the LTM mount for it.
 
Tom A said:
Yes. it is 0.5 meters - it was not possible to make it work down to 0.3m and keep the coupled rangefinder (the cam would have interfered).
Click to expand...

Ah, OK, thanks. I thought I'd misread that. Makes sense.

Using it on Micro/4thirds is not that big a problem as you can either use Live View or check focus on the screen.
Click to expand...

That's not what I mean - with an ultrawideangle on a rangefinder, closeups are more of a parallax problem anyway, but with through-the-lens focusing you don't have that problem and with a 24mm-equivalent I'd find it useful to be able to get up close. But then, tastes differ!

It's always a tradeoff, of course. I realize that, as you write, it's more comfortable to focus with a rangefinder, more so if you're used to it - but on 35mm at least, wide open at f/5.6 the hyperfocal distance is something like 90cm, and everything from less than the minimum focusing distance to infinity will be in focus anyway. It's clear that the extra mechanics for the rangefinder comes with its own constraints. Rather than for the rangefinder focusing, which seems to me more of a net loss than a net gain here, I guess people will buy the new lens rather for some of the other improvements, such as using cheaper filters without an adapter.
 
I would "really" like to see some more images with the 12mm lens. Has anyone shot any in color. Shot outside in B+W..some at wide open , some stopped down...OO Thanks guys.


Gregory
 
rxmd said:
Is the close focusing limit on the new one really 0.5m? On the old one it was 0.3m. Could make a difference for the folks using them on Micro 4/3 cameras.
Click to expand...

did u tried the old lens on m4/3? does it fit?
how abt the new lens on m4/3? does it fit?
just wonder if the rear goes too deep in and touch the sensor.
 
gohaj said:
did u tried the old lens on m4/3? does it fit?
how abt the new lens on m4/3? does it fit?
just wonder if the rear goes too deep in and touch the sensor.
Click to expand...

Don't worry. It's the same distance from the sensor as on an M8/M9 or on a film camera. The adapter makes up for the difference in body thickness. The old and new version have the same optics, meaning that they also sit at the same distance from the sensor.
 
Nikkor AIS said:
I would "really" like to see some more images with the 12mm lens. Has anyone shot any in color. Shot outside in B+W..some at wide open , some stopped down...OO Thanks guys.


Gregory
Click to expand...

when i was taking a look at the lens at my voigtlander dealer, he let me take it out for a spin on the streets, havent developed the roll yet but i will post some up once i do! can't wait to see the results too.
 
Thanks for that. You got to love and support dealers that let you look/test before you buy. So what where your impressions of the lens in use? Did you use the center filter. Color or B+w film😀. I cant wait to see some sample images.

Im going to have to track one down in my area that has one me thinks. I love the 15 4.5 ASPH and the 21 1.9 ASPH so it's a good guess Ill like the 12 mm

Gregory
 
Tom:

M-Mount CV 12 vs. CV 15 - which would you say performs better? What do you think about the practicality of using the 12 as opposed to the 15?

Thanks in advance, Bill
 
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BillBlackwell said:
Tom:

M-Mount CV 12 vs. CV 15 - which would you say performs better? What do you think about the practicality of using the 12 as opposed to the 15?

Thanks in advance, Bill
Click to expand...

Bill. I find that the 15 sees a bit more use, could also be because of the 52mm size. The 15 is wide - the 12 is REALLY wide. With the 15 you can work as if it was a wide 21. The 12 is a speciality lens - but when you need it - there is no substitute!
 
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