kxl
Social Documentary
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.
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
Obscurant
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.
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
Young Luddite
Thanks for all of the feedback. I think the 21/4 will provide a good balance of wide and general purpose.
Chris101
summicronia
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
Well-known
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
Veteran
I have both and am unwilling to give either up.
In a pinch, I'd keep the 15mm.
In a pinch, I'd keep the 15mm.
chris00nj
Young Luddite
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.
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