oscroft
Veteran
The CV 15 was the main cause of me entering rangefinder photography. I read about it somewhere, loved the price and the idea of a Bessa-L to go with it, and having been a wideangle freak for ages I just had to have one. Then a bit later, a CV 21 and another Bessa-L followed (Robert White was doing a cheap deal on L bodies bought with lenses). Then later again a Bessa-R with a 35/2.5 (a special deal from CameraQuest), and I was lost (or found, depending on your viewpoint 
) I now have several more CV lenses, and the two Ls and the R are now gone - they went to raise money for an R4A. And my main RF camera is now an M6.
But I still have and love the 15. It rarely gets used, but I love it when I do use it. In fact, I deliberately don't use it much because it could easily become a novelty/gimmick lens and the novelty could wear off easily.
) I now have several more CV lenses, and the two Ls and the R are now gone - they went to raise money for an R4A. And my main RF camera is now an M6.But I still have and love the 15. It rarely gets used, but I love it when I do use it. In fact, I deliberately don't use it much because it could easily become a novelty/gimmick lens and the novelty could wear off easily.
Kim Coxon
Moderator
I have avoided the CV15. I have the Pentax 15/3.5A. I have certainly used it a great deal more on the digital bodies as a "21mm" lens than as a 15mm lens on the film bodies. To me it is one of those lenses that if you need it, nothing else will do but you don't often need it. It can be used for some "different" effects but for more usual work, it is best suited for architectural work and is invaluable indoors in a confined space. I can see an estate agent loving it as it will make the space seem so much more.
I wouldn't get a CV one as it isn't an "RF" lens for me. the 20's are a different story.
Kim
I wouldn't get a CV one as it isn't an "RF" lens for me. the 20's are a different story.
Kim
sevres_babylone
Veteran
I use it on my R-D1 with the vf from the 25mm, and like it. I wish it were faster. On the other hand, its small size makes it good for people shots.
sienarot
Well-known
Since we're showing off sample photos....
I said it before and I'll say it again... I love this lens!
I said it before and I'll say it again... I love this lens!
back alley
IMAGES
i think i may put the 15 and finder on the cle for some shooting tomorrow.
derrick, that first shot makes me dizzy everytime i look at it
joe
derrick, that first shot makes me dizzy everytime i look at it
joe
emraphoto
Veteran
the 15mm on the m8 is really the absolute best combination i have used for street schtuff in a very long time. it was preceeded only by a ricoh gr1. throw in the vc 21mm finder and it's the wickedest point and shoot for the street you'll find!
same goes for the r-d1! iso 1600, f8 and away i go!
same goes for the r-d1! iso 1600, f8 and away i go!
emraphoto
Veteran
emraphoto
Veteran
whiteley
Member
i got one back in 1999 only because i couldn't afford the 21 leica lens at the time. i put it through a ton of use over the next few years until i got a 21, and in the five years or so i've had both i've come to realize that i like the 15 more- not for technical superiority by any means, but for the perspective and the overall ease of use. it's so small compared to the 21/2.8, and just setting the focus and shooting away without constantly re-focusing is so fast and easy. i've used it for portraits, landscapes, a ton of live music photos (shooting with that lens from the front row or photo pit provides such a unique perspective- it's like you're alone with the band because you can see so much and there's nobody else in the frame). anyhow, i stopped using it a lot a few years ago but since i got an m8 it's come back into regular rotation, using my 21 finder. i don't like it as much as a 21, but it's still a great lens and well worth owning for the price. here's one of the first pictures i took with it- a portrait of chan marshall (aka ms. Cat Power) for an interview in 2000...
Attachments
sienarot
Well-known
back alley said:i think i may put the 15 and finder on the cle for some shooting tomorrow.
derrick, that first shot makes me dizzy everytime i look at it
joe
Joe,
As someone who's afraid of heights, I can completely understand and sympathize! Haha
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Bill58
Native Texan
I'm toying w/ the idea of getting one of these in either Nikon SLR or LTM (FILM) mode. Anyone care to comment on the desirability of one versus the other? My interest is for strictly architectural or landscape shots.
As always, much appreciation for comments.
As always, much appreciation for comments.
fuwen
Well-known
Bill58 said:
For lens this wide I feel that range finder designs are better bets. The weight and size different are great anyway.
jvr
Well-known
Bill58 said:
I think the Nikon versions can only be used with mirror lock up and an external VF. That transforms a SLR into a bulkier RF...
So I would go with the LTM, unless you aleready have the SLR and don't have the LTM... If you have both, I would go with the LTM, if you had none, also... BTW, Steve Gandy says that Cosina only claims full compatibility with F and F2 Nikon camers, although it should work with any camera with mirror-lock up (http://www.cameraquest.com/VCSL1215.htm).
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
If there is any interest, I have a spare 15mm finder (voigtländer)
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I find the single most useful focal length, for the full 35mm format, to be a 24mm. I also use 21mm (or 20mm on a Nikon SLR). But I did not want to be without that equivalent focal length on the D200, so I picked up the 15mm f/3.5 Nikor, which gives me 22.5mm on the D200.
But last weekend I tried the 15mm Nikor on a film Nikon. Now, that is wide! I shot some storefronts I like to photograph sometimes. Like several others above, I would not want to shoot this wide too often; but I think it is worth having for its ability to do double duty as a superwide with film, and roughly 22mm equivalent with digital.
I had originally thought of doing this with a 15mm CV and and Epson, but I don't have that outfit. I stayed away precisely because of the vignetting with superwides on the Epson. The 15 on the D200 does not have this problem. I'm also going to play with my 16mm Russian fisheye on the D200 when I get around to it.
But last weekend I tried the 15mm Nikor on a film Nikon. Now, that is wide! I shot some storefronts I like to photograph sometimes. Like several others above, I would not want to shoot this wide too often; but I think it is worth having for its ability to do double duty as a superwide with film, and roughly 22mm equivalent with digital.
I had originally thought of doing this with a 15mm CV and and Epson, but I don't have that outfit. I stayed away precisely because of the vignetting with superwides on the Epson. The 15 on the D200 does not have this problem. I'm also going to play with my 16mm Russian fisheye on the D200 when I get around to it.