Anyone using a 12mm or 15mm with their M?

Pirate · 07-03-2010

I'm thinking that since I now have two bodies (M4 & M3) I should get a wide angle for one. I went with the CV 50 Nokton since I'm a 50mm kinda guy for daily stuff, but the more I think about my upcoming vacation, the more I think a wide angle would go well on the other body while I'm tooling around Europe.

I'm looking at the new CV 12mm and 15mm, but I'm not totally casting away the 28mm F/2 either.

What do you guys think? I'll be in Rome and Paris, then all around Germany (since I live here).

All opinions welcomed,
thanks

Tom A · 07-03-2010

The step from a 50 to a 15 or 12 is HUGE! I would consider the 28 as the wide for normal shooting and, if you want to, you can add the 15 later.
The 12 is very wide - and is not an easy lens to get along with all the time. The 15 is more user-friendly.
For cities like Rome/Paris the 15 comes into its own. Buildings are crammed together, streets are narrow and even the 28 feels like a short tele!
The M-mount 15 has one great advantage over the LTM version. You can easily use filters on it (52 mm) and the new "compact" finder is good. The rangefinder coupling is useful when you work in close, tight spaces.
The 12 is a large lens and I consider it a speciality lens. This said, when you need the view - there is no competition. Optically both lenses are extremely good. Some edge fall off - but not enough to worry about - and these are among the widest lenses you can get, so some corner darkening is acceptable.

Pirate · 07-03-2010

Thanks Tom!

swoop · 07-03-2010

I liked the 15mm on my M8 but on the M9 the color corners are way bad. And I know there's a fix but I honestly don't have the time for that 90% of the time. So It's useless.

The last time I had it on my M7 with B+W film it worked pretty well. I used it at a low angle in a pumpkin patch.

Ron (Netherlands) · 07-03-2010

Sold my 15mm, 12mm is a little bit sharper, but of course on a M8.2 less extreme than on your M3 or M4. Really like the lens although of course not as a day to day wideangle. For that purpose I use the Biogon 25...... since 28 was never my kind of focal lenght. So my standard set up is 12, 25 and 35. I guess with full frame it would be 18, 35 and 50.

Pickett Wilson · 07-03-2010

The 15mm is a favorite. You can get extreme wide angle look while still being able to control the perspective. The 12mm is just too wide for me, though.

fbf · 07-03-2010

I like the 15mm better. They look equally sharp to my eye. 12mm is a bit extreme plus it's a bigger lens than the 15mm (when filter attached).
I have the new 15mm M mount attached to my m4p permanently. Superb lens IMHO.

ampguy · 07-03-2010

This is why I'm in no hurry for an M9.

In wide open spaces like Glacier National Park, a 21 on the M8 is quickly realized to be too long for landscapes, but the 15 is ideal, but unfortunately pretty much requires the external finder (21 on M8), where the 21 on the M8 using the whole VF works fine for me.

I've had both the M-mount version, and the ltm. Much prefer the ltm version for closer focusing, and compactness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swoop

I liked the 15mm on my M8 but on the M9 the color corners are way bad. And I know there's a fix but I honestly don't have the time for that 90% of the time. So It's useless.

The last time I had it on my M7 with B+W film it worked pretty well. I used it at a low angle in a pumpkin patch.

zerobuttons · 07-03-2010

I tend to agree with Tom - going from 50mm to 15mm is a tremendous leap.
I am mostly using 35mm for everday use myself, and considering whether I would be helped a lot in some situations with a 24mm or maybe a 21mm.
My single travel lens is a 50mm. I don´t bother to drag along more than one.

We are all seeing things differently. It´s difficult to give exact, good advice regarding what focal lengths to use.

Pirate · 07-03-2010

One of my thoughts for the 15mm was.... I'll have to move back a bit to get the Colosseum in Rome to fit into that 50mm. And, then there's the Eiffel tower when I get to Paris. I could probably get some cooler shots with a wide angle over a standard angle.

I'm really leaning towards that 15mm now.

Thanks gang.

ruby.monkey · 07-03-2010

This is what the 12mm can do:

Lightly cropped shot of Christ Church, Spitalfields, taken with the LTM 12mm on my M3. I was standing about 2m (6') from the bottom of the front steps.

Oh, yes - that spire? 'tis just a touch over 200' tall.

Ben Z · 07-03-2010

I have the 12 and the 15. I used the 15 a lot with film, and really like the lens. I never missed the rangefinder coupling, and the screw version is a lot smaller, which I consider a plus for travel. Tom's right about not being able to use a filter with film (or M9), although it's easy to fit it with a UV-IR filter for the M8 since the crop covers the vignetted area. In anticipation of an M8 I kept my eye out for a used 12. I've never shot the 12 on film, so I can't give my impression of that. I did check out the finder though, and I'd definitely have to watch out to not get my feet in the shot!

ruby.monkey · 07-03-2010

One of the great things about the over-sized filter adapter for the LTM 12mm, is that it's impossible to get one's fingers in shot while holding the camera.

C_R · 07-03-2010

I had a 28 mm (Elmarit Asph) and the CV15/4.5II on my trip to France/ Provence, and used the 15 mm more often. Great small travel lens, and the wide FOV is attractive, for my taste

My Heliar shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38068178@N08/tags/heliar/

Carsten

MCTuomey · 07-03-2010

carsten, great work - inspiring!! and nice shot, ruby!

i just recently acquired a CV 15 and am taking my first steps at learning to use it ... not like picking up a 28 or 35, at least for me.

Pirate · 07-03-2010

That shot of the Church is impressive. I'm gonna have to scope out some shots done with the 15mm now!

Tom A · 07-03-2010

There is a group on Flickr for the 15f4.5 "Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15mm f4.5 II". Some good samples on it.
There is also a group for the 12 mm 5.6 "Heliar 12mm f5.6".

umcelinho · 07-03-2010

i personally had the very same issue exactly a year ago. my only lens was the 50/1.5 nokton and i wanted a really wide lens as i was going to italy and greece. got the 15 as it is cheaper. it was really useful and i'd say go for it. afterwards i got the 12mm, but i keep it as it works wonderfully on my r-d1. on film it is really too wide. the finder of the ltm version makes framing a bit random. but it is something you can live with if you rather not spend more on the m version plus the new finder.

robert blu · 07-04-2010

I sold the 15 to buy the 12 (both LTM). It is an excellent lens, can give you spectacular images but you must be ready to throw away many terrible pictures. Not easy to use, but when ever ing is ok you'll have an amazing picture. From my experience the 15 is more usable, the 12 is very extreme.
robert
PS attached links to images shot with the 12.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...-germ_d100.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...bernardino.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...o_the_snow.jpg

gdi · 07-04-2010

I have the 12 and the 15. I am trying to decide whether to sell the 15 (no way the 12 is going anywhere). Here is a recent 12 shot (cropped slightly to get rid of a flying buzzard!)

nico · 07-04-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert blu

I sold the 15 to buy the 12 (both LTM). It is an excellent lens, can give you spectacular images but you must be ready to throw away many terrible pictures. Not easy to use, but when ever ing is ok you'll have an amazing picture. From my experience the 15 is more usable, the 12 is very extreme.
robert
PS attached links to images shot with the 12.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...-germ_d100.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...bernardino.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...o_the_snow.jpg

gret photos (I remember also another nice couple of your photos shot at the lake using the Heliar 12) ... please Rob, next time you'll be in Lucca bring the Heliar 12 with you, I'd like to try it! thanks a lot

ciao

gdi · 07-04-2010

If anyone is interested, here is a demonstration of the FOV of 12mm, 15mm, 21mm, and 50mm. I think my finger is in the way with the 12!

This slideshow may help too:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6910402...94544107/show/

Pirate · 07-04-2010

Thanks for that demonstration, it's great to actually see the difference like that. The 12 does look like a little much, the 15 being as far as I can see wanting to go with a wide angle.

gdi · 07-04-2010

The 15 is really wide too - is only 12 that makes it look kinda "normal"! Both are super lenses for the price.

raid · 07-04-2010

I have never used a 12mm or 15mm lens, but have used with SLR a 7.5mm and a 17mm lens. With RF cameras, I am using mainly the 21mm and 25mm lenses as my extreme wide angle lenses. For me, this is wide enough without getting too extreme.