Zeiss Ikon 15mm f/2.8 Distagon

[Sailor Ted]

Does anyone have any information on this lens? Experience? Is it the same size and heft as a Noctilux? I am looking for a sharper alternative to my current 12mm CV lens so any first hand knowledge or specific information will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Ted

 

[Avotius]

I have seen some photos from this lens and have to say im wholly unimpressed, on the other hand the cv 15mm impresses me a lot. For the most part that zeiss 15 is huge. I dont know the specs but im sure you can compare them on the zeiss and leica websites.

 

[back alley]

i have yet to read anything negative about the zm line up of lenses.
there is little reason to think this lens will be any worse than the others.

i'd like to see some shots from it myself if anyone knows where/if there are some posted on the web.

joe

 

[Avotius]

the big cheese posted some shots here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30398

 

[back alley]

thanks, i forgot about those.

 

[Sailor Ted]

Helpful link there- OK the images look sharp as hell to me and the colors are excellent- sharper then my current ultra wide fare and this lens is fast- much faster then the CV equiv.

However this leaves one question. What is this thing like to work with? I own a Noctilux but hardly ever use it due to its size and weight- with the Noctilux I might as well be using a DSLR with a zoom lens. Perhaps Summilux or the Head Cheese or someone else with shooting experience can chime in?

Ted

PS. I noticed that I contributed to the link stating I felt the edges were soft- I now see that was smoke from the "pig". Ooops!

 

[MP Guy]

No. those shots are not very good.

Look at these

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30574

I like the anchor shot 🙂

That is my dream lens and I would take that over any other leica wides now. Keep in mind the old 15 for the leica R was made by Zeiss 🙂

 

[Sailor Ted]

Really excellent shots Jorge- what was it like to work with that lens? Is it like having a Noctilux at the end of your camera? Also were those pictures taken on your M8? Again they look just fab and much better then the roasting pig shots.

 

[Avotius]

those shots look a lot better, the edge sharpness and distortion seems better controlled in those shots, great stuff

 

[santino]

from what I've heard the super wide heliar is better than the ultra wide. I ownn the super wide and am pretty happy, whether open or stopped down and it's kinda cheap for such a lens, isn't it?

 

[fuwen]

I do have some shots by the 15 ZM on my website under the article about the lens. Being a father of 4 young kids do not have time to test the lens to its best. Yes it is big, but I am new to rangefinder and have been using SLR lenses for many years so size does not really bothers me. I ventured into range finder more for the quality of super wide angle lenses rather than the size.

My only experience with Cosina Voigtlander is the 12mm. I still prefer Zeiss characteristics. But for its price Voigtlander is certainly worth serious consideration.

 

[Platinum RF]

how about his one?