A Quick Look (with samples) at the new Voigtlander 15 4.5 II VM Lens by Foto Ingo
From the Specs Sheet : Super Wide Heliar 15mm F4,5 VM II aspherical Here we proudly present a completely new ultra wide-angle lens.
Current high-resolution digital cameras are demanding and so they often need a new lens construction to satisfy those megapixels in regard to sharpness, detail, colour and so on. A lot less colour-shift in the corners even (when combined with really high resolution) and better contrast, especially when using the widest aperture, are the main differences between the current and the NEW Heliar 15mm.
The NEW 15mm Heliar consists of 11 elements in nine groups.
Hello Everyone!
I’m a long term reader of Steve’s Site and it wasn’t until “The Criuse” 2012 that I was to meet him, his beautiful fiancée Debby and some other interesting people… It was an awesome trip for sure. So many friendships were born back then. But back to the present (or future??).
Right now I use a Sony A7 and an A6000 with various manual lenses (and some Sony lenses) and I’m kind of happy with everything… Except for the fact that there was no small “rangefinder like” wide angle available for the A7/A7r series. Today I visited Photokina in Cologne (1 hour drive from where I live) and had the chance to check out the new Voigtlander 15mm for M-Mount II !! I was really happy that I had my A7 and my Leica M to NEX with me when I heard that I could use it on my own camera and take pictures with it! (Delivery should start in February 2015!!!)
So, I thought I would give my findings to Steve and all lovers of the A7 series.
Summary: I could see no or maybe a REALLY small amount of color cast in the corners ! (maybe it was only a tiny bit of vignette?) I could see no or maybe a REALLY tiny bit of vignette ! The sharpness is nice and NOT much mush in the corners ! I sold my 15mm M39 only 1 week before so I can tell you, that the differences are HUGE ! I will preorder it for my A7 the day it becomes available ! (depending on the price of course) No word on the price so far, but I ́m really looking forward to February 2015 and not only because I have my birthday there… 😉 Thx everyone and good night.
Ingo Schäder www.Fotoingo.com
Quick Samples below:
Too bad they will not realeas this in an F mount. 🙁
Thanks, Ingo! 🙂
This is one lens I look forward to getting/using.
Did you try the Ultron 35/1.7?
i wonder why they removed the tab from the focusing ring… i love the feel and control it gives on version II
Almost bought the II version but got the 40mm nokton instead. It’s a good call then otherwise I’ll regret it
Color, contrast, and sharpness look great, but the distortion is too heavy.
Well, I guess the only question….Can it be used on 3/4 cameras -specifically Lumix GH
3…If not similar suggestions please……
Sure, with adapter but then you have a 30mm f/4.5 lens. Not very appealing.
I have this one on my wish list too. Steve (CAN YOU HEAR ME) any chance you can get one of these to test on our Southwest Photo Trip?
Wish I could but no one knows the release date yet. I am hearing Feb 2015, so if that is the case, no way I can get one by November.
Well it would have been pretty cool to have one for the great landscapes we will see! A true test!
I thought the currently released model was the Voigtlander 15 4.5 II VM. Wouldn’t the new model be called Voigtlander 15 4.5 III VM? It looks as if Voigtlander is calling this the Voigtlander 15 4.5 VM 2014 on their website.
Technically this is the 2nd VM version, so version II. The 1st was a screw mount version.
I can only confirm your view. I tested (if you can call a few shots at the booth a test…) it on my A7R and could find no major flaws with this lens. If anyone is interested, I also tested the other Voigtländer lenses (35 Ultron and 40 Heliar), Leica Summarit lenses, Zeiss Loxia and Sony 16-35 at Photokina. I have summarized my view in this Flickr group.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/sony_alpha/discuss/72157647483011875/#comment72157647429658768
If this is labelled a ‘Superwide’ what label does one apply to their 12mm? Ultra-Superwide?
Actually, 12mm is “Ultra Wide” and 15mm is “Super Wide” Heliar 🙂
I was about to get a VG 15mm but I’ll wait for this one. Hopefully it’s be out in time for my holiday to NYC in November!!
Thanks! Looks much improved although there is definite smearing of the text in several of these. What aperture did you use? If Zeiss is correct about the loxia line and adjusting for the sensor cover glass makes a noticeable improvement over native M-mount lenses, I wonder what a native set of CV 15, 21, 35 (1.7) would do.