Thoughts on Heliar 15mm lens

[grainhound]

Haven't seen the ZM 18 yet, & probably won't for some time. Big difference in price: the Zeiss viewfinder alone is about $50 less than the C/V 15mm lens with VF and LTM adapter. Add about $1400 for the ZM lens. (Prices are for new stuff.) I had a Canon FD 17mm, now have the C/V 15. There is more difference in FOV than 2 or 3 mm would suggest. Tom A is more qualified to speak to the differences between the ZM & the C/V. If you haven't shot with 15mm-18mm, I'd strongly recommend the C/V to start. Fits almost anywhere in your bag, too.

 

[adietrich]

Well, being such a wide angle lens, I was thinking - inside churches, museums - just different kinds of interiors. Maybe even caves (that are lit up for tourists).

...or you light the cave up yourself: http://www.meggaflash.com/gallery of flashbulb photos.htm

-a

 

[Roger Hicks]

thank you for all the posts and photos - look so beautiful. I think I may try it. But before I do - what about the Zeiss one? Well, no not the 15mm 2.8 - i dont have 4k for that one. but 18mm/4? Anyone compared this one to CV 15mm?

Yes; I have one on loan from Zeiss. I prefer the 15, but my wife prefers the 18, and is thinking of buying it. It's purely a question of which focal length suits the way you see. Well, that and the fact that the Zeiss is much bigger and heavier and more expensive. The Zeiss probably delivers more sharpness, more even illumination and less distortion, but in the real world, using both lenses, we don't see any important differences in technical quality.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Monz]

I have had the VM 15mm lens for about 2 years. Here are some examples:


Break Off!
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=67599

Magnificent Malvern Hills
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=60914&ppuser=1882

New Pet
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=84237&ppuser=1882


The Iron Man
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=59844&ppuser=1882

The Iron Lady
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=59843&ppuser=1882

Sky Bridge 2
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=59800&ppuser=1882

Tomboy
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=64305&ppuser=1882

Church Voyeurs
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=63943&ppuser=1882

Snowblind
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=59194&ppuser=1882

Rooted to the Spot
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=56608&ppuser=1882

Wide Horse
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=59377&ppuser=1882

Tea at f16
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=58078&ppuser=1882

Tree Top Hotel
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=58239&ppuser=1882

Best wishes.
--
Monz

 

[Krosya]

So many great photos! I like this lens more and more - i think i'll be getting one too.
Thank you everyone - keep photos coming!

 

[Todd.Hanz]

yes, its slow inside and for low light shooting but you can use it to good effect...

 

[kossi008]

Thanks to all for the pictures! I'm halfway there, because I borrowed one from a friend today and will probably end up getting my own... 😀

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

As with the 28 (Orion-15) I do not use the VC 15mm so often, therefore didn't like to spend to much money. Both orion and VC 15 are - in my opinion - relatively cheap so you can just try them out, and if you don't want them anymore, you will probably get the same for what you paid.... but since I got these lenses, I don't want to get rid of them anymore.....

Some recently taken test shots...

 

[GeneW]

Morning at Sea




Haida Canoe




Bessa L, CV 21

 

[dazedgonebye]

Just shot a roll of tri-x at 1600 iso on an old Soviet Whiskey sub...here's hoping I'll have something to add here soon.

 

[bennyng]

The only downside is having to hold the camera like a P&S, with 2 fingers of each hand so that fingers don't appear in the picture.

Indeed true! I often have to watch out for my fingers too! My first roll was a disaster with my fingers in almost every third frame. Once you are aware of it, it's not really a problem.

Definitely a recommendated lens!

Cheers,

 

[oscroft]

Indeed true! I often have to watch out for my fingers too! My first roll was a disaster with my fingers in almost every third frame.

With the first couple of rolls with mine on a Bessa-L, I even managed to get my nose in a couple of shots (and it's really not that big)

 

[Oliver H]

Examples / El Hierro

Examples / El Hierro

Hi,

the CV 15mm is one of my favourite lenses.

You will find some examples made on El Hierro here:

http://www.photographias.org/El Hierro/index.html

Regards,

Oliver

 

[Oliver H]

Examples / Barcelona

Examples / Barcelona

... the Barcelona photos were also made with the CV 15mm:

http://www.photographias.org/Barcelona/index.html

 

[dazedgonebye]

I just posted a thread from this lens last night. Someone expressed concern about low light....
These were taken on a poorly lit old submarine. Obviously, 1250 iso represents a compromise, but being able to keep so much in focus at f5.6, not to mention the fov, made these shots work.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59952

 

[Krosya]

Awsome photos everyone! One more question - do you guys use camera meter when shoot with cv 15 or an external one?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

These photos are freaking amazing!

 

[Oliver H]

... I use the camera light meter of the Bessa L.

BTW: A pretty important tool for getting good results with the 15mm or 12mm lens is a spirit level.