The purpose of extreme wides?

[konicaman]

The 15-21mm range seems to be very popular around here. I am being curious as to what you guys are shooting with these extreme wide angle lenses.

The widest lens in my collection is a CV 19-35 that I on occasion use on an FF digital body, but it has seen very little use - mainly for group shots and interiors.

I believe that some of you are actually using these lenses for everyday walk around lenses, and I would like to know what kind of scenes you shoot with them - and any other usefull information, tips&tricks for extreme wides.

 

[Sparrow]

... get really, really close

 

[sevo]

Get real close up, and the foreground will stand out without any conscious effort.

 

[Thebes]

The idea is "if it's not good enough, you're not close enough".
Its not a look for everyone, but if you stick a lens in a subject's face, then 20mm or wider can give you some background environment while emphasizing your subject.

 

[Lflex]

I have the 12mm CV - mostly for fun.

Ginza May 2011 by mandoflex, on Flickr

Late Al Kaplan used his 15mm to document himself and the people he met.
Scroll through some random part of his blog The Price of Silver.

 

[fireblade]

12mm is good 🙂

 

[konicaman]

Nice - I am looking and learning. Keep ´em coming!

 

[lynnb]

not a bad little summary from KR http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-use-ultra-wide-lenses.htm

 

[Jack Conrad]

I've got an 18mm and like it on FF, though I absolutely love it on my Oly 4/3 which makes it a very sharp 36mm.

 

[Sparrow]

... 18 isn't extreme 😛

another 12

 

[bigeye]

Primarily, ultra-wide can more easily make a mundane subject interesting. They're very versatile if you work them. (SWC)

They're great for interiors (CV15)

If you keep them flat, they can look very 'normal' (CV15).

They get a little harder to work past 21mm (that might be the sweet spot). Check the CV 15 and 21 SA image threads.

Ultra-wide is one of the areas I find rangefinder cameras still seem to have a distinct advantage, too. They have far less distortion and are noticeably sharper than the Nikon SLR equivalents I have used. A bonus is that the rig is small.

As Erich Hartmann advised, "get closer."

- Charlie

 

[Sparrow]

... and they get very funky with a polariser

 

[semrich]

They take getting used them, experiment and once you get your head around them you can get some spectacular shots.

Zeiss Distagon 15/2.8

or keep them level.

 

[dave lackey]

Well, how popular is the question? I don't do anything wider than 28mm anymore either with a rangefinder or SLR. Spent too many years with Nikon SLRs and the wide stuff....no longer interests me but a lot of people seem to like the 21-24 lenses.

Want to start a poll? Interesting results, I would presume.:angel:

 

[ferider]

Well, how popular is the question? I don't do anything wider than 28mm anymore either with a rangefinder or SLR.

Same here. Most photos taken with wider than 28 look like a lens tests to me 🙂

 

[Tim Gray]

I had a lot of fun with my CV 15, but once I got a 21, I hardly ever use the 15. I guess 21 scratches my ultra wide itch better. My most used lens is 28 - I love it. But sometimes you just need a bit wider...

15mm works nicely for self portraits on location:

me by ezwal, on Flickr

It also works nicely for cramped interiors:

my room by ezwal, on Flickr

Or to take unflattering pictures of your brother while sleeping:

mike by ezwal, on Flickr

It can also work well for other types of shots:

leaves by ezwal, on Flickr


. by ezwal, on Flickr

By and large though, I prefer 21 over 15. 15 is super fun to shoot, but I get more pictures I like from 21. It's easier to make it look 'normal', yet it's still pretty wide, letting you capture interesting perspectives or cramped spaces. It can be a little rough on people, but if you work it right, it's acceptable. I'm still learning to do that properly.


. by ezwal, on Flickr


i by ezwal, on Flickr


mike + strokkur by ezwal, on Flickr

28 on the other hand is very natural looking to me. I start getting cramped with 35mm; as a result, I don't have any lenses of that focal length anymore. 50 or 75 is my 'telephoto'.

 

[angeloks]

Here's a selection of pictures taken using the 12mm Heliar ! It sure can be a useful lens !

 

[mackigator]

Impressive images in this thread

Impressive images in this thread

I'm quite impressed with the diversity of examples in this thread - I've struggled with anything wider than 25mm and your images make me reconsider.

I notice one recurring use of the super wide and people, represented in some of the images in this thread - to relate someone in the foreground with an idea in the background, while keeping everything in focus.

You should also check out the work of Jeanloup Sieff, a well known photographer who pushed the WA lens into his fashion and portrait work. http://trendland.net/jeanloup-sieff-bw-photography/

 

[MCTuomey]

julien, nice perspective on the michigan central depot, btw.

 

[Brian Legge]

Beautiful work angeloks. The widest lens I shot was 21mm. I found this easier than 24mm for some reason. At the same time, I don't think anything wider would work for me. I struggled to fill an interesting frame at 21mm as it was. 🙂

21mm:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/6194982183

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/6194613486