Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 Aspherical Manual Focus Lens with Viewfinder Silver

Customer Reviews

Heliar & M8

2007-07-25
I concur with prior positive comments about the Voigtlander 15mm. The optical performance appears to be very good, the build quality is nice, the compact size is handy, and the value is unbelievable! My only reservation is use with full frame format, which I have not tried. I suspect vignetting may be an issue with some users since a graduated ND filter to my knowledge is not offered.

This is not a significant issue with the M8 1.33 format. I have done a limited amount of shooting using the full fov of the M8 rangefinder. I have since acquired a Russian 20mm accessory finder. Wide spread packaging with the 21mm Voigtlander finder would avoid the hassle.

One issue I have not seen discussed is use of this lens on the M mount. The lens features non adjustable shade petals. When I used a Chinese made adapter, the petals were off about 10 degrees. Again not a problem with the M8 (no apparent vignetting) but a potential issue with full frame, in addition to the obvious cosmetic issue. In fitting several genuine Leica rings I was only able to find 1 out of 5 tried that resulted in proper petal alignment. Perhaps the Voigtlander rings are more consistant. In any case I would suggest this is one case where you try your luck at a full service "brick & mortar" store as opposed to ordering rings off the internet.

Great little lens for little money.

2006-03-21
This lens is sharp as heck, light weight, and almost free. The other reviewer notes that it's cheaper than the Leica 15mm. A bit! The Leica is 7500$ and hardly any more contrasty or sharp. Further, you can buy a body, a Bessa L, for 100$ and have an extraordinary combination for interiors, buildings, or special effects. This lens is fully linear. Finally, while the viewfinder does have barrel distortion, the lens has no fisheye effect at all and the finder is BRIGHTER than the Leica (if you took out that 3rd mortgage to buy the Leica).

One of the widest wide angle lenses available to Leica screw mount and M rangefinder cameras

2005-07-21
The Voigtlander Super-Wide Heliar 15mm f4.5 aspherical lens offers suprisingly good performance as one of the two widest lenses available from Voigtlander for screw and M mount rangefinder cameras. I have seen excellent enlargements nearly 11 x 14 inches in dimensions which attest to the excellent optical qualities of this lens. I would still recommend this lens over the more expensive Zeiss ZM 15mm Distagon f2.8 for the casual user who doesn't require such an ultra wide angle lens or one with a maximum aperture of f2.8. Much to Cosina's credit, this lens is yet another fine example of optical excellence in the Voigtlander lens line now being manufactured by Cosina. Leica M mount rangefinder cameras will need a screw to M mount adaptor for mounting this lens.

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PC Magazine Guide to Digital Photography

Editorial Reviews from Book News, Inc.
A couple of digital photography experts weigh the advantages and disadvantages of film vs. digital photography, and explain the basics underlying both types of photography. The Grottas provide reality checks on such issues as whether the number of megapixels really matter, and tips on camera selection, use, and e-mailing and organizing photos. The handbook includes color and b&w images, a glossary, and sidebars and Web links for further technical details.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland.

From the Back Cover The megapixel hype
The fact is a camera’s megapixel rating is only a measure of how many pixels (photosensitive sites) an image sensor has…. An image sensor is simply one component of an entire system that produces a digital photograph… So resist buying into the megapixel hype when you’re choosing a digital camera. From Chapter 1

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