p.27 #8 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Here is why I decided to get the WATE...
I tested it against the Loxia 21 and Batis 18 thinking it's no contest at the corners even at f/8. I was very impressed, especially against the Loxia 21 which has amazing corner performance.
The WATE performed similarly if not better than the primes at f/8. (center and edges). For landscape photography, that's the aperture sweet spot for this lens, although f/5.6 is not too far behind.
Rendering and colors are also beautiful. It took me too long to try this lens!
Here are crops showing WATE against Loxia 21, Batis 18 and CV 15III.
Same sharpening and exposure for all.
LR (50, 0.7, 25, 0)
These are actually screenshots straight from Lightroom.
I'm still keeping my Loxia 21/2.8 for when I need f/2.8 and for nightscapes and perhaps adding one of the new CV 10 or 12mm for the super–duper ultra wide.
p.27 #11 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I would love to have the WATE but it's a money issue and I would have had to sell a perfectly performing Loxia 21 and for me that is hard to do. But for the 15,18 alone it's very compelling . If I ever get the cash I just may do it.
p.27 #16 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
DavidBM wrote:
Jim Kasson had some issues with spontaneous disassembly of his WATE.
Shit happens. Hassy 150 lenses where also falling apart in someones hands. Shit happens
Seriously best to ignore a lot of this stuff or you will be so paranoid to take anything in the field.
These are tough comments that float around but the fact is nothing is full proof, its not a good industry with electronics, glass , metal , plastics, grease all being involved in the process to be foolproof in any way. My Hassys and Leica m8's spent more time in the shop than I had in my hands. WE when I was the Chief photog for Honeywell had 3 COMPLETE Hassy systems and I mean every damn lens times 3 and extra bodies where constantly in the shop with CLA and repairs. And they had no electronics.
I had 3 shooters under me and we would make a weekly run to Tempe camera repair to pick up and bring in gear for repairs. Every week
p.27 #17 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Thanks Guy. That seems to be a Hassy specific issue.
With my Leica rangefinder lenses I have needed adjustment of the rangefinder mechanism when using a rangefinder camera. However, with using the Sony A7r2 that problem went away, as you well know.
But I agree, stuff can happen that requires a repair. So what.
p.27 #18 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Fred very interesting test results. I've had this in the shopping basket at B&H several times over the last year but always hesitating to pull the trigger. I'm just not a fan of using adapters if it can be avoided. However, this tiny Leica really has some special appeal to me. May I ask what adapter are you using with the Wate? Also is it the newer version of the Wate with the new 6 Bit, updated for digital that you bought? Currently with a price reduction special going on at B&H?
p.27 #19 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
When A7r came it was clear that WATE would be the optimal WA zoom for the system. Still it is the only one zoom with size & IQ matching A7x series. People stuff all kinds of crappy lenses on their A7 bodies because they are small but do not realize how much they sacrifice in IQ. Money is the issue for me to get the lens.
p.27 #20 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Chuck Coyne wrote:
Fred very interesting test results. I've had this in the shopping basket at B&H several times over the last year but always hesitating to pull the trigger. I'm just not a fan of using adapters if it can be avoided. However, this tiny Leica really has some special appeal to me. May I ask what adapter are you using with the Wate? Also is it the newer version of the Wate with the new 6 Bit, updated for digital that you bought? Currently with a price reduction special going on at B&H?
Thanks, Chuck
Hi Chuck,
If you decide to get a WATE, make sure that you get the one without the big finder that is not needed unless you are using the lens on an Leica M camera lacking Live View and or viewing trhough the lens directly and the LCD screen.
