What about using Voigtlaender lenses on your Leica

[scott_mcloughlin]

There have only been a few responses re: the CV 21/4. I'll chip in that this lens rocks! Great finder comes with it too. Nice and compact. The shade costs extra, but it's a heavy duty metal rectangular shade.

 

This focal length is a challenge for composition and aligning horz/vert lines. But this is a feature of the focal length, not of any particular lens.

 

But back to the 21/4. I was surpised at how it could resolve fine details. I used it quite a bit on a vacation, and my g'friend saw it right away in the prints. So not just the fantasies of a gearhead :-)

 

For any of the CV lenses, I'd heartily recommend looking around for example photographs on the Web. You should find plenty. The CVUG mailing list is very nice and low, mostly on-topic, traffic.

 

Just for example, I don't own the 35/1.7, but while I'd agree that "lower contrast" is accurate, I find the B&W pics taken with this lens have a really nice signature. And the 35/2.5 design has a completely different signature. So definitely go look at pics and judge for yourself.

 

Regarding build for CV lenses, there are a few different styles of build. If you look on cameraquest you can see the different designs: small barrel 21, 25, 35; larger 28/1.9, 35/1.7, 50/1.5; the lovely heavy 28/3.5, 50/2.5 and 35/2.5P-I; the more modern, "Leica like" 35/2.5P-II, 40/1.4. This isn't a scientific classification, so take it for what it is.

 

In summary, I have CV 21/4, 35/2.5P-I, 50/2.5, 50/1.5 complementing Leica 28/2, current 50/2 and current 90/2.8. For the most part, I find they stand shoulder to shoulder with one another. Flare control on the 28/2 is outstanding, but I'm way happy enough with the 50/1.5 that I don't see a Summilux in my near future.

 

It all depends what you're looking for and what are one's priorities, I guess.

 

Hope some of that helps.

 

Scott

[andrew robertson]

I doubt if you could tell the difference unless you were shooting USAF targets off a tripod.

 

But, as many above comments indicate, defending a luxury priced item is a full time job for

those who choose it.

 

Case in point - I drive an Olds 98 Touring Sedan, which has more horsepower, better seats,

and better soundproofing than a Rolls or a 7 series BMW. Sure, the Rolls/BMW is more

expensive, but as I pass one effortlessly on the uphill I just have to chuckle.

[lmz]

Right now THE most often used lens on my M7 is the CV 35 f1.2. It is simply fantastic. Nothing more need to be said.

[paul_neuthaler]

CV 28mm 1:3.5 Color Skopar -- light, tiny, well-made, inexpensive -- sharp! I loved the 21mm also, but too wide for me.<div></div>

[al_kaplan1]

I go everyplace with the 15mm VC lens. Often it's the only lens that I carry with me. I love it!

[joel_matherson]

"If one thinks you can get Leitz quality for 1/4th the price,good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

I know you were trying to be funny with this remark but when you think about it you can. Lenses labeled "Leitz" are all of previous generations and alot of the Voigtlanders optically surpass Leicas lenses of previous generations. Maybe saying "Current Leica quality" may be closer to the mark? LOL

[OCULUS New York]

I have the 15mm (and VF) and the 35 Nokton. The 15 vignettes pretty badly if anywhere out of its sweetspot, and the adapter ring is sharp and kinda cheesy (doesn't even meet TDC when mounted on the camera).

 

The Nokton seems to be from another Mother, so to speak. Very elegant and useful. It rides around on my M4-2 with Scala loaded.

 

I should also say that I keep the 28 Asph mounted all the time on my M6, and usually take it off only for the 21 Asph, both of which I love a lot.

 

Of course there is no comparison between the brands, but the VCs are certainly worth their modest price.

 

Cheers,

Ray Hull

 

<img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3492620-lg.jpg>

 

 

Elmarit 21 Asph; could never have captured the subtle gradations at edges with VC 15.

[andrew robertson]

I shoot the 15 on my R-D1 (RAW of course) and have no problem with vignetting that can't

be cured in post. That's cheating, I suppose, but it works perfectly.

[sam_portera]

I have the 21mm and the 35mm skopar, both great lenses. This was the 35mm, Trix in Xtol<div></div>