15mm lens recommendations for Nikon Z

I'd like a 15mm rectilinear lens for my Nikon Z6 that doesn't break the bank. MF is fine. As I see it there are four main options:

 

• Voigtländer 15mm F4.5 Super Wide Heliar (M-mount)

• Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D Lens (Z-mount)

• Nikon 15mm f/5.6 QD·C (F-mount)

• Nikon 15mm f/3.5 Ai-S (F-mount)

 

The Voigtländer is the smallest and least expensive, and I already have an M-mount adapter. I tried three copies (two III, one II) in a store yesterday and all of them seemed oddly soft across the whole frame and didn't improve on stopping down. I didn't see any purple fringing, however.

 

I have not been able to find a copy of the Laowa locally.

 

A friend has the 15mm f/5.6 (although he has the ultra rare Ai variant) and it's optically excellent. Is the f/3.5 equally good? They are both big and heavy.

 

Am I missing other options? Presumably the F-mount Voigtländer that would ordinarily require mirror lockup could work on the Z with an adapter, but I think it's the same optical formula as the M-mount version. I'd rather not get the 14–24 zoom, although I know it's optically fantastic (I've rented it before and it's great). The Zeiss options (Milvus and ZM) both seem quite a bit more expensive.

 

I don't need to use this often, so I was hoping not to spend more than about $1000. I was hoping to like the Voigtländer but the three copies I tried all seemed unusable. Has anyone tried the Laowa? Thank you!

Am I missing other options?

IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Firefly or Blackstone; I own the Firefly version and think it works quite well on the D810. I did own the M-mount Voigtlander Heliar III 15mm f/4.5 and quite liked how it performed on the 24MP A7. The II version was not suitable for use on the A7 as it produced the dreaded color shift. I can also vouch for the Tamron 15-30/2.8 VC - though the lens is large and heavy.

The 14-24 f2.8 Z mount is a very good lens. The f4 version (14-30?) is reported to be good also. Oh, I see you reference that option. Sorry. Edited April 12, 2021 by rconey

IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Firefly or Blackstone; I own the Firefly version and think it works quite well on the D810.

Did you have to calibrate the focus on your copy? I tried one and sent it back because the focus scale was off and I didn't feel comfortable attempting to adjust it myself, and I didn't want to deal with sending it for service even though it was free. I've been debating trying another copy at some point.

Did you have to calibrate the focus on your copy? I tried one and sent it back because the focus scale was off

Yes, the focus scale is off - I "solved" that issue by dialing in some AF fine tune to make the green dot match what I am seeing in the viewfinder. I did order the necessary screwdriver to adjust the lens itself but haven't gotten around doing so yet.

The f4 version (14-30?) is reported to be good also

Forgot about that one - would be my first option even though the cost is above the $1000 threshold mentioned.

The 14-24 f2.8 Z mount is a very good lens. The f4 version (14-30?) is reported to be good also. Oh, I see you reference that option. Sorry.

While the Nikon 14-24mm/f2.8 options are expensive, I think the 14-30mm/f4 S in the native Z mount is reasonably priced. I bought mine in November 2019 when Nikon had a $200 rebate, for a final cost of $1099. And it accepts conventional 82mm filters, while most 14, 15mm lenses cannot.

Irix makes four Cine lenses in Z mount. One is 15mm. I do not know anything about Cine lenses, so check them out to see if they will meet your needs.

 

Irix Cine lenses for Nikon Z and Leica L available! - Irix lenses were designed with both the effort and experience, of not only engineers, but also photographers. Swiss precision and Korean innovation create

I haven't had the time to pixel peep the results from my Voigtlander 12mm 5.6 (first version) but I was surprised how well it worked on my Nikon Z6ii. I was mainly expecting very soft corners and purple fringing which strangely wasn't there (or at least not as much as I expected). Lack of overall sharpness was not something I noticed - but definitely less sharpness in the corners should be expected.

If you have access to one of the 12mm VC versions, it may be worth a try,

Another recommendation here for the 14-30 S (Z lens), refirb or used should be within your budget. Great combo with the Z6, enough zoom range to reduce number of lenses needed in a kit. Small and light enough for all day carry.

Wow thanks for all the replies. I'll check out the Nikon 14–30mm f/4 Z lens, of which I was previously unaware.

 

Has anyone used the Laowa 15m f/4 Wide Angle Macro (F-mount)? Is it usable at infinity, or is it really more of a macro lens? Is the shift capability usable on FX or does it vignette too much?

And it accepts conventional 82mm filters, while most 14, 15mm lenses cannot.

The Voigtlander Heliar III mentioned in the OP takes a 58mm filter, the Laowa a 72mm, and the IRIX needs a 95mm (which I admit isn't common). Both the Nikon lenses in the OP do not take front filters but the f/5.6 version has four filters build in (one clear, the other 3 for B&W photography). Similarly, the f/3.5 version has a provision to attach some filters at the back of the lens via a bayonet (4 originally came with the lens).

Wow thanks for all the replies. I'll check out the Nikon 14–30mm f/4 Z lens, of which I was previously unaware.

 

Has anyone used the Laowa 15m f/4 Wide Angle Macro (F-mount)? Is it usable at infinity, or is it really more of a macro lens? Is the shift capability usable on FX or does it vignette too much?

 

I have it and like it for odd macro perspectives. I haven't tried it as a general purpose WA lens as I have others that I use more often.

. . . Has anyone used the Laowa 15m f/4 Wide Angle Macro (F-mount)? Is it usable at infinity, or is it really more of a macro lens? Is the shift capability usable on FX or does it vignette too much?

 

I also have this lens.

 

It is an UWA Lens with an additional Macro feature: it can be used at infinity focus

 

I use it on Canon 5D Series Cameras, (Nikon = "FX").

 

I concur with what I understand is Edwin's experience/inference: if you want a Shift Lens, then best to buy that specifically. When shifting there can be an optical vignette, maybe that will be annoying maybe not, depending: it might be fixable in Post.

 

What I am stating is - if you want an UW/A Tilt/Shift Lens for (as an example) Architecture/Real-estate work, then don't buy the Laowa - get a 'proper' T/S Lens.

 

Think of the "Shift" on the Laowa as a bonus feature, which will come in handy from time to time.

 

On the matter of (specific use) as a (only) UW/A Lens - I have another two, a 14mm and an 11mm: both of which I use before the Laowa for specifically UW/A Images.

 

I think that the Laowa is more a "specialty" lens for the UW/A Macro View - which IMO it does very well.

 

However, IF I only had the choice of ONE Ultra W/A lens, the Laowa would be up there in my choices - as it is certainly versatile, not too expensive and switching between use as a UWA and an UWA+Macro is doable: the Optical Vignette (without Shift engaged) and the Barrel Distortion can usually corrected in Post Production, even though many lens reviews say they not.

 

WW