fredus Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Hi there, I just received my VC 21 f/4.0 yesterday and wanted to share a few impression. 1/ That lens is so small !! About the size of a roll of film. Feel very solid too ! 2/ The focusing lever is great. I never had a chance to use one and I'm already in love ! 3/ The finder ... Oh boy, the finder is so BRIGHT !!! How come we can't have such brightness in my M6 finder ?? It feels so dim now ... What is the difference between the regular finder and an external finder ? I took some picture around the house (mainly my daughter who was very glad of this new addition. She's wondering why I have to come so close to her to take a picture .. :-) ) ... I guess I will have to get use to scale focusing (any tips ?) but it shouldn't be a problem. Thow thumbs up to Voigtlander on this one !!! Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_kennedy1 Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 i agree with everything you've said.<br /><br /> <img src="http://fiftymillimeter.com/images/130.jpg" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 The regular finder splits 50/50 twixt RF image and 'real' image, plus other losses = dimmer. And the 21 sucks a big view into a small view = more light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoresteen Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Wait until you try the Voigtlander 15mm. You will love it as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Amen. I love my 21 Voigtlander too. I'm now going to use mine on my "new" M5 -- Stephen Gandy says: "No Problem1" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 "She's wondering why I have to come so close to her to take a picture .. :-) )" She'll also wonder she ends up looking so distorted and weird in the prints. Its a nice lens, but not a patch on the 28/2 cron in quality... Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredus Posted June 3, 2004 Author Share Posted June 3, 2004 Hey Robin, how could it be a patch with such a difference in focal length ?? Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry_ting2 Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Yes, the VC 21mm is a marvelous lens. Fred, the lens is rangefinder coupled with the Leica for focussing. As far as focussing, I never bother due to the tremendous DOF, unless I have to shoot something really close-range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_mcloughlin Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 It's a goodie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__jon__ Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 >Robin Smith , jun 03, 2004; 05:07 p.m. >She'll also wonder she ends up looking so distorted and weird in the prints. Its a nice lens, but not a patch on the 28/2 cron in quality... She isn't "distorted and weird" in that image. Why would you suggest a 28 when the discussion is about a 21?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsbc Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 because the 28 'cron is not a patch on the 21mm when it comes to angle of view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_Cooper11664875449 Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 This is one great lens. Something I can often go out with as the only lens Im carrying. regards Craig / Beijing<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_Cooper11664875449 Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 ...and one more!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee_shively Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 Great lens, huh? I agree with you on all counts. Have you gotten nose grease in your M6 viewfinder yet? Small price to pay for benefits involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_Cooper11664875449 Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 <b><i>Have you gotten nose grease in your M6 viewfinder yet?</i></b> <p> Aaah Lee! the trick is to keep it permanently attached to your Bessa T where the viewfinder is too small to touch your nose. I use this lens too much and often without time to change so the permanent combination works well along side the M6 and a 35mm as a standard combo. The external exposure meter on the Bessa T is also great for pre-setting the camera without ever lifting to your eye. <p> regards Craig / Beijing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 My point is simply that a 21mm lens will distort all objects at the edges and the corners a great deal - particularly when close focused as Fred wants to do. This may not matter, but it usually does not produce flattering images - his daughter or him may not like the result. Of course not being flattering does not matter to people you don't know, but the family may object. A shot taken with the VC encompassing the same field of view as compared to, say, the 28/2 will not compare in resolution - these are both truisms and are really uncontroversial I would have thought. The 28/2 is the widest Leica lens I have and this is why I compared them. What I am saying is that all ultra-wides generally take a performance cut over less wide options - so assertions of the 21mm quality need to be taken with this in mind. Don't expect the 21mm VC to have the same punch as a 28/35 or 50mm because it doesn't. I doubt that the 21mm ASPH does either. Having used the 21mm Biogon for the Contax G the same applies. Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 She isn't "distorted and weird" in that image. Jon - doesn't look like it, but we don't know the baby - also that's not Fred's shot so I was not commenting on any particular pic. You must know what I mean about 21mm shots - I have a whole bunch of family groups in which poor old Aunt Smith on the far right looks like she is a 300lb ad for McDonalds when in reality she is a 110lb dieter. Try a face close up with a 21mm - wonderful effect, but don't show it to the owner of the face! Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jose_merino Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 ha ha, i thought i was the only one who got my nose on the camera viewfinder while looking thru the VC viewfinder !! I have the VC 15mm and it's awesome!! will post some pics soon they are so solid, great feel.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_Cooper11664875449 Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 The VC 15mm I use the angle viewfinder, its the only way I can keep horizons level! regards Craig / Beijing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_morris4 Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 You can avoid the nose-on-the-viewfinder problem by putting the CV 21 on a screw-mount camera.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob_p1 Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I have my cv 25/4 on my screw mount camera - unfortunately, the vf prevents me from lifting the shutter speed dial to change the speeds! anyone have a workaround for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_eskridge Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 On the interference problem, maybe just using a hot shoe adapter will be the easiest solution. That raises the viewfinder up a about 3/8" or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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