Which wide for the R-D1?

[paradoxbox]

Today I was out shooting with the R-D1 and the CV 35 2.5

It was the first time I have felt really limited by the crop factor of the camera. I had a photo of a door I wanted to take but there was simply not enough space in the framelines to take it, and no room to back up and take it either.

So I am on the hunt for a wide angle lens. Any suggestions?

FWIW I have a Ricoh 28mm finder as well as a combined Ricoh 21/28mm finder - both are the same as the Voigtlander versions.

I have a Ricoh GRD III with an F1.9 21mm adapter lens which I love but sometimes the noise is too much for color photos at night compared to the R-D1, plus, like tonight, I don't always have the camera on me!

[Phil_F_NM]

I always loved the CV 15mm Super Wide Heliar on my R-D1 and then later on my M8. It's a fantastic lens on those bodies. For something to use in lower light, the ZM 21mm f/2.8 is a killer lens on the R-D1. Actually, it's a killer lens on whatever you put it on.

Phil Forrest

[krötenblender]

+1 for the CV 15mm, it's really nice on the R-D1. If you can find it, you can buy a 21mm Viewfinder for it, which fits the FOV nicely. If you do not step down some clicks, you get strong vignetting with it, but that never bothered me. In fact, I liked it.

My most used lens on the R-D1 was the M-Rokkor 28mm, which is notably wider than the 35mm and really close to the 35mm FOV of a full frame sensor. It's a really nice lens, if you get a good one (without spots). IQ is perfect, color- and OOF-rendering very pleasing with the R-D1. My recommended daily lens for that camera.

[back alley]

loved the 15 and the 21...don't like the 28 and have settled on the 25 for my rd1 wide lens.

[umcelinho]

i really like the 12mm on the r-d1

[kuvvy]

Another 15mm user here. Becomes around 23mm on the RD1 and that suits most of my wide angle needs, both for people and scenic shots.

[paradoxbox]

Looks like the 15 and 12mm have a strong following

Do the 12 and 15mm vignette much on the R-D1?

Also if you have used them on film bodies I'd love to hear your experiences as I also plan to use the lens on my Leica M3 and Bessa.

[krötenblender]

I have only the 15mm. Yes, vignette can be very much. But nothing, that can't be fixed in software or you simply accept it, because depending on the subject, it looks good.

On film, it is not that much, I would say. The attachment shows the same scene. First with R-D1, second with a film-body, both with the 15mm, so you can compare the vignette. I think, they both had the same f-stop, probably f8.

[paradoxbox]

Thanks to all you guys for your advice! This evening I found and bought a used 15mm Heliar for $350 on auction, pretty happy with the price I'll be sure to post some photos once I receive it!