Techniques for shooting (ultra) wide-angles

[wiedo]

I bought a CV 15mm today for my Leica CL and although I really love the wide-angle reach, i really hate the over the top barrel distortion (fisheye look).

So do you guys have techniques to keep the barrel distortion as low as possible? Or do you have other tips when using such a wide angle lens (i'm used to 40mm)?

 

[ruby.monkey]

Do you mean perspective distortion? Because I can't say I've ever noticed much - if any - barrel distortion from either the 15mm or 12mm Heliar.

All I can really suggest is to keep the subject centred and the camera level. People out to the edges will end up looking *very* weird.

 

[Bruin]

Yeah, the 15mm Heliar has little barrel distortion - straight lines near the edges of the frame are rendered straight! It has a ton of perspective distortion, being an ultrawide lens... things look stretched out anywhere but the center of the frame. Try to get closer, keep the horizon level, and just practice a lot.

You might get along better with a 21mm or 25mm... but maybe you'll warm up to the 15mm after some more time with it.

 

[3js]

Just don´t tilt your camera and get very close to your subject, that should do the trick. Takes alittle time though.

 

[kxl]

One thing I like to do with ultra-wides is to show a near/far relationship between a subject at 5-10 feet (centered so it does not look distorted) and a distant background. Some examples at http://kalahi.net/silver-city/

 

[charjohncarter]

Even with a 20mm there is some craziness. Try for level shots. This is my 20mm and you would not recognize this pool from the picture:

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

how about framing with the viewfinder? I think as you get closer paralax error is increasing?

 

[ferider]

The 15mm Heliar has practically no distortion. If you have issues with the perspective, maybe try something longer ? Sorry to sound trivial, but ultra-wides are like super-longs, usable for special purpose only, IMO.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Lean forwards

 

[Arjay]

Good levelling is the secret for naturally looking 15mm Heliar shots. The lens produces severe perspective distortion if you use it without a levelling device, but virtually zero barrel distortion.

There are two ways to obtain pictures w/o perspective distortion:

1. Use a spirit level during shooting like the CV level or an electronic levelling device like the Seculine Action Level Cross to level the camera when shooting, and make sure that the film/sensor plane is parallel to the plane of your main photo subject (e.g. a building front), or
2. use Photoshop or PTLens to do perspective correction during digital post-processing (this can be tricky, but it is feasible, albeit at the price of reduced image resolution).

BTW, the CV 15mm finder produces heavy barrel distortion. I wonder if there is an alternative to this finder, because the CV finder's barrel distortion makes framing a matter of luck.

 

[umcelinho]

the heliars have almost no barrel distortion. it is pretty sweet! what you do have to consider is that the 15 vignettes quite a bit @ 4.5, so if the sun is up try stopping down, it helps quite a bit. also, which is the hardest imho, is to keep the camera properly aligned with the horizon or any other vertical/horizontal reference. it can look a bit weird if too skewed.

the 15mm is really nice to use. you'll have a good time with it, I hope 🙂

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

As stated previously - keep 'em level, and for some situations - invaluable!
Dave.

 

[sojournerphoto]

As stated previously - keep 'em level, and for some situations - invaluable!
Dave.

Dave, a lovely picture. Where is it?

Mike

 

[ferider]

Shown these before. All taken with the 15:

People look weird, but only due to perspective. It's all about the lines, staying horizontal and keep your fingers out of the photo.

These days I don't do wider than 28mm. Ultra-wides are very fun and addictive, but in the end most ultra-wide shots look like lens tests to me.

Roland.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I have the 15 but use the 25 much more as a general purpose wide. When I do use the 15 I've found you need to keep it as level as possible in all planes. Tilt it up, down or sideways and you're going to start getting the effects you complain about. There are several swanky levelling aids around but I just bought a cheap little circular bubble gauge from the local hardware store for levelling fridges which I put on the top plate of the Bessa (easiest if on a tripod!) and centre the bubble as best I can. Works for me! If it slips off, use a little bit of Blutack.
Not only fingers - keep your feet out of the frame too if you're using it in portrait format!

 

[wiedo]

Thanks for the tips everyone, can't wait till i can experiment with this lens. I'll try to level the camera, without a bubble level, first. If that doesn't work i'll buy some leveling device.

Maybe the 15mm is a littlebit too much for me, but I think it'll be fun to use.. You guys are posting great results with it. If it's too short i could always sell it and buy the 21, 25 or 28mm (depending on my experience with the wide-angle effect).

I heard you could portrait with it too.. do you have some experience with it? I think it's keeping everything level and the face in the center (1,5m-3m distance)?

 

[chris7521]

I don't think you will need a level. Your sense of level is sufficient unless you are seriously level deficient😀 It's not all that hard to keep the camera level enough to prevent excessive distortion. I love the CV15!

 

[nephilim]

Shown these before. All taken with the 15:

Roland, this is a lovely place! Where is it?

Waiting for this lens, too. I love the 14-24 on the Nikon D700 and miss the wide end on my Leica ;-)

Torsten

 

[Arjay]

I don't think you will need a level. Your sense of level is sufficient unless you are seriously level deficient😀 It's not all that hard to keep the camera level enough to prevent excessive distortion. I love the CV15!

Each to his own. I've been taking photos for about 50 years now, and I haven't (yet) developed any mental deficiencies, but the crappy, distortion-ridden CV finder makes using some kind of levelling device a must to me.

Just looking through the finder does not help in this respect. This finder certainly is not helpful in determining whether specific lines in the finder's FOV are truly parallel and/ or vertical/horizontal.

 

[Sparrow]

Thanks for the tips everyone, can't wait till i can experiment with this lens. I'll try to level the camera, without a bubble level, first. If that doesn't work i'll buy some leveling device.

Maybe the 15mm is a littlebit too much for me, but I think it'll be fun to use.. You guys are posting great results with it. If it's too short i could always sell it and buy the 21, 25 or 28mm (depending on my experience with the wide-angle effect).

I heard you could portrait with it too.. do you have some experience with it? I think it's keeping everything level and the face in the center (1,5m-3m distance)?

this is not the 15, but the 12, I just put it in close, press and hope for the best, just try to be brave