Buy the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 M Mount Lens - Black on http://www.adorama.com Print This PagePrint This Page
Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 M Mount Lens - Black image
 
(based on 2 ratings)
Brand: Voigtlander
Located in: Cameras & Lenses, Lenses & Accessories
Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 M Mount Lens - Black
Review Snapshot®
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4 stars
(based on 2 reviews)

[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

 
The best super wide value for M mount
By ArmaniusVerified Purchaser from Houston, Texas on 4/26/2010
Pros:
Durable, Easy To Use, Lightweight, Reliable
Cons:
Not so good for the M9
Best Uses:
Landscape Photography
Describe Yourself:
Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Voigtlander Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 M Mount Lens - Black:

The lens causes a red shift on the corners when used with the M9. It can be fixed via software though. The lens is super sharp at 4.5 and it is rangefinder coupled. So you can get great focus even at subjects that aren't far away. There is also minimal to no distortion. The lens is a bargain compared to the Zeiss and Leica ultra wides. It's also so much more compact and lighter than the Zeiss and Leica counterparts. However, pricewise, compared to other Voigtlander ultra and super wide lenses, it's not such a bargain, especially because it doesn't come with a viewfinder (which is at least another $140). I ended up returning this and getting an used Voigtlander Skopar 21/4 for $280, including a viewfinder.

[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

 
wide angle at affordable price
By krakerVerified Purchaser from The Netherlands on 4/12/2010
Pros:
Easy To Use, Lightweight
Best Uses:
Cityscape photography, Landscape Photography, Traveling
Describe Yourself:
Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Voigtlander Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 M Mount Lens - Black:

I bought this at the Adorama store while visiting New York, and that's where I could immediately put it to use, to get all those landmark buildings in one frame without having to walk back 10 street blocks.

I see myself using this for cityscapes and to a lesser extent landscapes.

Great: even though it is rangefinder coupled, you really don't need it. At f/4.5 it's already possible to get DOF from 1m/3ft to infinity. At f/8, you really don't need to worry about focussing. The downside of that is that selective focus is not really possible.

Great/not so great: Depends on what you want/expect. At f/4.5, there is some vignetting. Personally, I like it; it goes away at f/8 or above, so if you don't want it, just close the diaphragm.

Not so great: wide open is f/4.5. At ISO100 on a rainy day or indoors, you are stuck with times of 1/15s or longer. Again, I knew what I was buying, so I don't mind. But it's something to be aware of.

As background information: I use this lens with a Voigtlaender Bessa R3M film camera (in other words: "full frame"). At time of writing, I have only shot colour negative film using this lens. I'm curious to see the results with B&W film.

Images shared by: kraker

Slightly cropped shot of Grand Central Terminal

Image Thumbnail

Tags: Made with Product

Powered by PowerReviews
Copyright © 2011 Adorama All Rights Reserved. Do not republish contents.