Voigtländer 12mm and 15mm

[bessasebastian]

Superwide or Super-Superwide? Does it make a practical difference at all?

I´m looking forward to buying one of these but havent decided yet. Maybe you can help with some experience? Thanks!

Ill be using these on an M6.

 

[Kim Coxon]

If you don't need the extra 3mm, the 15 is half a stop faster and 2/3 of the price. I would look at pics of both before deciding on 12mm.

Kim

 

[saxshooter]

And the VF is huge on the 12mm. I have the 15mm (although I use it on my M8 and Epson RD-1) and it is an excellent performer, and considered the lens that "started it all" for CV...

 

[splitimageview]

I had the 15mm a few years back, and really enjoyed it. But it was a bit too wide for me, so I'm using the 21mm now.

 

[Tom A]

The choice depends to some extent what you will be shooting with it. The 15/4,5 is quite useful as a "scenic" and also as a street shooting lens. The 12f5.6 is more of a speciality lens. It is unbeatable for those impossible shots. It is not a lens to take likely and it takes a while to get the handle on it.
The optical quality of both lenses is impeccable and in spite of the extreme angles, they can do a great job.
Beware of "wideitis" - ie shooting everything with super wides. It is a phase that one tends to through with these extreme lenses. I suggest that once you have decided on the lens, set aside a handful of rolls and shoot them quickly - just to get over it.

 

[saxshooter]

And the other thing to remember is the 12mm or 15mm CV lenses are NOT rangefinder coupled. For general shooting you've got plenty of DOF to help you out. But it becomes an issue if you often shoot wide open with close focus foregrounds (I ended up adding extra distance markings with a sharpie on my 15mm's focus scale).

That said, the equally diminuitive 21mm CV is rangefinder coupled (and a smidgen faster at f4). LTM version comes with finder. New M mount version does not. Both have same optics.

 

[Fotohuis]

... and in case you need a nice solution for a filter adapter on the C.V. SWH 4,5/15mm THIS was my best alternative, 72mm:

Best regards,

Robert

(PS. It works very nice, also with I.R. photography! e.g. Heliopan RG715, #88A IR filter)

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I own and use very mutch the VC Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/ 4,5. I find this lens very good, optically and mechanically.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[swoop]

Both are way too wide for my taste. Even the 25 I have is a bit too much.

 

[Nokton48]

I have the 12mm, but not, the 15mm.

Like it alot. Use it -sparingly-.

As Mr. A says, WIDEITIS must be overcome.

-Dan

 

[Bill58]

I gave my girlfriend a 20/4 Nikkor to use on her FM2 and she quickly became a better and a great deal faster photographer because set at f5.6 to f16/ 2 meters she didn't have to focus anymore. I use my 20 CV and 25 Canon streetshooting w/ the same settings on my Model P's and they are awesome. I really can't justify going any wider.

 

[icebear]

2 shots with 12mmCV

2 shots with 12mmCV

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=59824
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=59822

These two had been taken for the exquinox shooting this year in NYC.
It's a great lens that requires some training, it can produce some exiting stuff if you get the framing right. The viewfinder is a must of course and it's amazingly bright. If you go extreme anyway, go it all the way.

 

[bessasebastian]

Thanks eyeryone for your advise. This is a great place with friendly people.

Beware of "wideitis" - ie shooting everything with super wides. It is a phase that one tends to through with these extreme lenses. I suggest that once you have decided on the lens, set aside a handful of rolls and shoot them quickly - just to get over it.

I´ll watch for that Tom!

If you go extreme anyway, go it all the way.

Thats what I´m thinking Icebear. Impressive shots.

 

[robert blu]

I switched from the 15 to the 12 and my comment is that the 12 i excellent, gives possibility of "extreme" pictures but it much more difficult to use. the 15 is more "normal" if this word can be used for such a wide angle ! Let s say you can use it ofter ! a couple of images taken with the 12 :
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=24193&ppuser=3692

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=30508

some other 12 mm pics in my gallery
rob

 

[cmogi10]

Just stick a superwide on set to F16 and shoot from the hip...you'll be a street photographer in no time.

 

[Tom A]

I just posted some 12/15 shots on our Flickr site. these are recent shots from last week. All done with R4M and Acros 100. They might give you an idea of the difference in view between these two ultra wides.