It does not look like a bad copy but honestly I can't tell for sure because of the elements close to the corners. They best way to know is to shoot something at infinity distance like what Tim did here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1425842/22#13542078
p.25 #3 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I'll make a point to get out this weekend to get some closer to infinity distance shots instead of what I'd estimate is about 500 yards. Thanks
what I did for those shots was just reframe so that the same building at the end of the block was in each corner. but ill get the diagonal horizon grabs and post, and try to get some subject closer to the exact corner
p.25 #4 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Well not to jump onboard the train but that's exactly what I'm going to do . I'd be interested in your thoughts on mine as well. The thing that has me flumoxed is to me it looks bad but clears up at f11, whereas the other bad ones I've seen don't clear up at all.
p.25 #5 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
ruffellprefley wrote:
I'll make a point to get out this weekend to get some closer to infinity distance shots instead of what I'd estimate is about 500 yards. Thanks
Make sure there are elements with detail on the very edges of the frame.
p.25 #7 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Vcize wrote:
Well not to jump onboard the train but that's exactly what I'm going to do . I'd be interested in your thoughts on mine as well. The thing that has me flumoxed is to me it looks bad but clears up at f11, whereas the other bad ones I've seen don't clear up at all.
I've seen your crops before. It's odd to me because the bad copies I've tried never gets noticeably better stopping down. Yours does at f/11!
I would say your copy is ok if you don't shooting at f/11. The extreme corners from the "Choppy" and the E-mount lens I have look great even wide open with its sweet spot at f/5.6. At f/11 there is a little softening cause by diffraction.
p.25 #8 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
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)
Thanks Fred. I pre-ordered on February 9.
Well, TechArt Pro gives in their FAQ a weight ceiling of 700g that their LM-EA7 adapter motor can move.
The Leica Vario-Elmarit-R 28-90/2.8-4.5 ASPH. weighs 740g.
The Novoflex LEM/LER adapter weighs 2.4 ounces or about 70g.
Total weight of the lens and adapter is then about 810g.
Hmm, a bit on the heavy side.
I happen to have that R lens and the LEM/LER adapter. I mounted them via the LM-EA7 on my A7r2.
First test. While switching on the A7r2, holding camera such that the lens is straight above the camera,
During the switching on of the camera, the adapter extends maximally, so lifting the heavy lens, before retreating to its starting infinity position.
No problem, that worked.
Then I set the lens to 90mm and f/2.8, pointed at a bookshelf in dim lighting and got a focused image. √
Next I got the image in my next post @ f/4, ISO 12,800, 1/20s, hand held and with AF.
So yes, that seems to work. I just wonder if and when such a heavy lens combination would wear out the motor of the LM-EA7 adapter?
Maybe now is the time for me to order a spare adapter?
When I tried at f/5.6 I didn't achieve focus. For some situations it'll work, for others it won't. So, not yet a dependable tool!
p.25 #10 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
k-h.a.w wrote:
Thanks Fred. I pre-ordered on February 9.
Well, TechArt Pro gives in their FAQ a weight ceiling of 700g that their LM-EA7 adapter motor can move.
The Leica Vario-Elmarit-R 28-90/2.8-4.5 ASPH. weighs 740g.
The Novoflex LEM/LER adapter weighs 2.4 ounces or about 70g.
Total weight of the two adapters is then about 810g. Hmm, a bit on the heavy side.
I happen to have that R lens and the LEM/LER adapter. I mounted them via the LM-EA7 on my A7r2.
First test. While switching on the A7r2, holding camera such that the lens is straight above the camera,
During the switching on of the camera, the adapter extends maximally, so lifting the heavy lens, before retreating to its starting infinity position.
No problem, that worked.
Then I set the lens to 90mm and f/2.8, pointed at a bookshelf in dim lighting and got a focused image. √
Next I got the image in my next post @ f/4, ISO 12,800, 1/20s, hand held and with AF....Show more →
I definitely asked the right person! Not only you had the 28-90R but had the R-M adapter as well!
The only concerning issue is the use of two adapters. There could be alignment problems but Novoflex has great QC.
What I like about the Tech Pro is that it functions as a helicoid as well. Thanks for testing this!
Best,
Fred
p.25 #11 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Thanks Fred. The following example demonstrates use of the helicoid for closeups.
Here I am using the Rigid Summicron 50/2 lens from 1956, pre-focused manually as closely as possible.
Then switching from MF to AF and finishing the shot with AF.
A7r2 + LM-EA7 + Rigid Summicron 50/2 @ ISO 100, f/2, 1/125 s.
p.25 #14 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
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.
On wider lenses, yes. For example when using my WATE with the helicoid adaptor on my A7R2, I was getting a distinct "cyan" colour edge on both sides of the frame and some vignetting/blurring at 16 and 18mm. With the fixed CV adaptor I get no colour casts and about half of the vignetting and zero blur. The WATE may be a little better on the Sony than an M with this fixed adaptor. It's sharp all the way to the very corners at f8 and at all focal lengths and with my copy it's now a bit better than the FE16-35 at f8 at all focal lengths. I am very very pleased I got this adaptor.
I noticed an immediate improvement, even when looking through the viewfinder.
The CV helicoid adaptor has a lot of silver metal that could cause all sorts of reflections and issues, especially with wides. I think that's what the issue is. I never had any problems with longer lenses but I am going to get around to doing some proper tests over the weekend, just in case.
Even the CV 12mm M is pretty good with this adaptor.
p.25 #15 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
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.
Agreed. What I meant is my dealer is going to let me test as many lenses as I need when he next gets stock, so i get a good one.
p.25 #16 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
flash wrote:
On wider lenses, yes. For example when using my WATE with the helicoid adaptor on my A7R2, I was getting a distinct "cyan" colour edge on both sides of the frame and some vignetting/blurring at 16 and 18mm. With the fixed CV adaptor I get no colour casts and about half of the vignetting and zero blur. The WATE may be a little better on the Sony than an M with this fixed adaptor. It's sharp all the way to the very corners at f8 and at all focal lengths and with my copy it's now a bit better than the FE16-35 at f8 at all focal lengths. I am very very pleased I got this adaptor.
I noticed an immediate improvement, even when looking through the viewfinder.
The CV helicoid adaptor has a lot of silver metal that could cause all sorts of reflections and issues, especially with wides. I think that's what the issue is. I never had any problems with longer lenses but I am going to get around to doing some proper tests over the weekend, just in case.
Even the CV 12mm M is pretty good with this adaptor.
p.25 #17 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
flash wrote:
Agreed. What I meant is my dealer is going to let me test as many lenses as I need when he next gets stock, so i get a good one.
Gordon
Hi Gordon,
I haven't actually tried my WATE on my Hawk's Factory Helicoid V5 at extension at 16mm or 18mm, but as I recall this may be one of the advantages of the Hawk's Factory Helicoid over the CV Helicoid. I will have to try this for confirmation, but I thought that the Hawk's Factory Helicoid was supposed to work with WA to at least 90mm and possibly 135mm without restriction and vignetting.
p.25 #18 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I'm having a difficult time finding a good testing spot for infinity distance in my area with anything other than trees on the far end. Is 1000 feet or so too short a distance? does it matter how far as long as the lens is at or around the infinity hard stop and my corners are in focus?
does it matter if, like my previous test, I just re-framed the same building or subject into the very corner of the frame for every corner? I understand that in my first test, the problem may have been that I didn't get the building into the extreme corners
p.25 #19 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
As we have seen Choppy was great at mid range and distance. Given the focal length it should not matter too much. We are looking more for smearing which is pretty obvious
p.25 #20 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
GMPhotography wrote:
As we have seen Choppy was great at mid range and distance. Given the focal length it should not matter too much. We are looking more for smearing which is pretty obvious
Correction: As we have seen Choppy is great at mid range and distance.
. I'd be interested in your thoughts on mine as well. The thing that has me flumoxed is to me it looks bad but clears up at f11, whereas the other bad ones I've seen don't clear up at all.
