So between work, family, and crappy weather I hadn't really been able to test mine the way others have on this thread. So the rain finally stopped (for now) and I was able to get out and shoot some test shots. I gave my RAWs to Fred and he graciously ran them through his workflow to be consistent with what he had posted on here earlier in the thread. I basically did the crosswise horizon test in both directions, and the corners are posted below. These were taken with an a7R II, compressed RAW at f/5.6 and f/8.
So it seems as though I may be one of the lucky few. I'm looking forward to some real shooting...possibly this weekend. But there are good copies out there, I hope Cosina ups its game in terms of manufacturing, assembly, and QC.
p.24 #2 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Hey all, UPS dropped my lens off about a half hour ago, and I'd love your input and opinions on the corners of this. I just ran out to the street and took a picture of the apartment building at the end of the (long) block. I focused on the building and just reframed to the same spot on the building for each corner, since i didn't have a wide-open space handy to take one of the tilted shots for diagonal horizon shots.
edit: this is with A7ii, at f/8
I didn't adjust focus when i re-framed.
Upper Left corner:
Upper Right corner:
Lower Left Corner (added +2 exp in lightroom):
Lower right Corner (added +2 exp in lightroom):
What do you all think? I really appreciate the opinions.
p.24 #5 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I imported with a preset I have that zeroes out all the sliders, no sharpening or CA removal. I think that preset applies a lens profile, but not sure that there would be such a profile for this lens. shot at f8. I thought I had that in the post but must have edited it and forgot to put it back in. will edit now.
p.24 #6 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Well, I think Fred has seen the most copies of this lens. But given the processing you describe I think it looks good. I'm shooting the a7R II, so I have to take into account this is slightly lower rez.
p.24 #7 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
yeah, I noticed that too. I hope to one day upgrade to an Rii.
I'm feeling pretty good about the copy I got. I'll have to take some more shots when it's better light and I've got more time to get to a better location
p.24 #8 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Well, I played the lottery and didn't win. Got my e mount 15mm this morning from B&H, snapped a couple shots at infinity, corners look smeared. I don't really know how to test lenses but Guy was so kind and generous to provide me his opinion. The lens is on its way back to B&H. Hope the replacement will be a keeper.
p.24 #9 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
bummer luck! I'm hoping guy and Fred weigh in on my samples, cause while I think they look alright, I value their eye as they've done a lot more testing and have a better idea of what to look for
p.24 #12 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
rji2goleez wrote:
I can't believe you sold Choppy. It was the standard to define all other CV15/4.5 lenses. And you did the mod yourself! GAS claims another victim!
One thing to consider. Choppy is in very good hands - mine!
p.24 #14 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Being a Italian from New Jersey I got a offer I could not refuse. Lol
BTW I'm thrilled a great member has Choppy in his hands. That's where it should be if not mine.
rji2goleez wrote:
I can't believe you sold Choppy. It was the standard to define all other CV15/4.5 lenses. And you did the mod yourself! GAS claims another victim!
p.24 #16 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Good and bad news for me.
My 15mm is going back. It's badly smeared in the corners all the way through the range. Unusable corners even at f9.5. The centre was fabulous but even trying to manually focus on the corners didn't work. It looks like someone took the liquify tool to the last 10-15% of the corners.
Good news is I have been concerned my M>FE adaptors haven't been doing my M lenses any favours. I had the helicoid CV and a cheapie. Picked up a CV fixed adaptor at the same time as the lens and it's night and day. Now my WATE is absolutely brilliant, even at 16mm. Better than the FE 16-35. Very pleased and I don't mind that I might have to try a few 15's because I have the WATE at its best now.
p.24 #17 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Update...
This is why you build a rapport with an actual camera store. Emailed my dealer with a sample pic of the issue. My dealer is going to let me choose my replacement from the next batch he gets.
p.24 #18 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
flash wrote:
Good and bad news for me.
My 15mm is going back. It's badly smeared in the corners all the way through the range. Unusable corners even at f9.5. The centre was fabulous but even trying to manually focus on the corners didn't work. It looks like someone took the liquify tool to the last 10-15% of the corners.
Good news is I have been concerned my M>FE adaptors haven't been doing my M lenses any favours. I had the helicoid CV and a cheapie. Picked up a CV fixed adaptor at the same time as the lens and it's night and day. Now my WATE is absolutely brilliant, even at 16mm. Better than the FE 16-35. Very pleased and I don't mind that I might have to try a few 15's because I have the WATE at its best now.
So, the Voigtlander VM-E Close Focus adapter gave you worse results than the "regular" Voigtlander M to E?
I have the regular (non- helicoid CV) as well.
p.24 #19 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
flash wrote:
Update...
This is why you build a rapport with an actual camera store. Emailed my dealer with a sample pic of the issue. My dealer is going to let me choose my replacement from the next batch he gets.
Gordon
I don't really think this is a batch problem as it happens randomly even between different versions (M and E-mount).
It's just sample variation. You may get lucky to get a good one at first or not.
p.24 #20 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
k-h.a.w wrote:
Well, I like it a lot.
However, it's work in progress, has operational glitches, and no doubt will get improved over time.
To use the adapter well one has to configure the camera, in my case the A7r2, appropriately.
One can find bits and pieces how to do that here and there.
Lighter lenses, wide open work best. Heavier lenses not so well, too heavy not at all.
Normal and WA lenses just work in good light.
Short tele lenses may require some manual pre-focusing, then final focus with AF.
Having tested a bunch of lenses, these are my favorites:
Leica WATE, CV 15/4.5 III, Minolta 24-35/3.5 with additional adapter, Leica AA 75/2, TE 90/2.8, Summicron 50/2.
The Leica Elmarit-M 90/2.8 and TE 135/4 work with manual pre-focusing but are on the heavy side.
35, 28, 24, and 21 mm lenses will work as well but most have known corner issues.
All my Leica R lenses seem too heavy and would require manual pre-focusing so that the adapter could focus in the reach it has.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. How did you get it so fast? Did you pre-ordered one?
I just saw that this adapter even works on R versions with an additional add-on.
Do you think it would even work on something like the Leica R 28-90/2.8-4? (740grams)
