VC 21mm/4 vs. 15mm/4.5

[kxl]

I have both the CV 15/4.5 and CV 21/4 (and a 25mm and 35, etc..., but that;s another story...)

As others have said, the 15mm is a great lens to complement your primary lens, such as a 35mm. It definitely is a sometime use only lens, and composition is a challenge, but it's a useful lens to have in your bag. Its use is further limited by the light fall off at 4.5 -- extremely noticeable, but somewhat pleasant (at least IMHO) when shooting B&W.

The 21mm can be used as a single all around lens. Mine is almost permanently mounted on a CV R4A. Color, B&W, whatever -- it just rocks.

So, I think your decision comes down to specific need: A) sometime need for ultrawide as a complement to your day to day lens, or B) ultrawide single lens for all around use.

 

[Arvay]

Much was said.
If you see the prospects of using 15 mm - buy it. I knew that it will be a "sometime lens" and what I would be using it for.
I have never considered 21mm. 24mm is wide enough for me. And 15 mm is not simply wide. It's special.

 

[chris00nj]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I think the 21/4 will provide a good balance of wide and general purpose.

 

[Chris101]

21mm is my favorite wide angle focal length, so I'd vote for that. But you won't need to worry about accurate focussing a 15mm. At f/4.5 it'll have a HUGE depth of focus (field, whatever.) However f/4 is not fast enough for the way I use a superwide (indoors, natural light, etc.) so I got an Olympus so I could get this focal length at f/2. Then when I went looking for an Oly to M adapter, I couldn't find one. Good thing I've got an OM! But I'd still like that adapter. Are they available anywhere?

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

The VC 21mm f4.0 Color-Skopar is the next lens I am plotting to buy for my R2. I use my Nikkor-UD 20mm f3.5 extensively, and believe that the 21/4 would be a very handy lens to use with the R2.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I have both and am unwilling to give either up.
In a pinch, I'd keep the 15mm.

 

[chris00nj]

The VC 21mm f4.0 Color-Skopar is the next lens I am plotting to buy for my R2. I use my Nikkor-UD 20mm f3.5 extensively, and believe that the 21/4 would be a very handy lens to use with the R2.

After some thought, and delaying the purchase of the lens to buy the Nokton 50/1.5 instead, I bought a 21/4 last week... and just in time for taking photos of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike that hit Houston. It is really wide enough for all travel photography needs. I never have to focus either. I can leave it focused at about 15ft, everything from at least 7 ft-infinite is in focus, no matter which f-stop I am at.

This is looking at my street! Definitely a nice little lens.