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Voigtlander 15mm Super-Wide Heliar f/4.5 Aspherical 35mm Primes

4.45/5 (20 Reviews)

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  • Lens TypeFixed Focal Length Lens
    Focal Length15mm
    Lens Max Aperturef/4.5
    Min Aperturef/22
    Macro LensWithout Macro Lens
    Closest Focusing Distance11.81 in
    Diaphragm Blades10 Blades
    Picture Angle110 degrees
    Groups / Elements8 Elements in 6 Groups
    Diameter1.95 in
    Length1.21 in
    Weight3.7 oz
    MPNBA212B
    UPC4002451194112
    Product ID27563397

Product Description

The lens has a 110° angle of view and is ideal for stunning landscape photography as well as situations requiring a wide angle lens where there is insufficient camera to subject distance. A standard L-mount is used for this lens making it compatible with camera body of other manufacturer’s which have the L-screw mount with TTL light metering.


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Reviews 1 - 5 (20 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Greg McCary a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: April 11, 2008

Strengths:    Stunning results at a low cost.
Easy to focus even though you have to guess.


Weaknesses:    At 4.5 it is a slower lens than I am use to.
Can not easily put filters on it.

Bottom Line:   
I currently use this lens on my Bessa R and Leica M6. It produces stunning wide pictures with only slight distortions. The finder that comes with it is large and easy to compose shots in. It does not connect to the RF system so focusing is done by guessing or hyperfocal focusing. But even with guessing I almost never miss focus. The DOF is so great it is very easy to do. I feel it is a inexpensive alternative to aa wide lens on a DSLR that would cost a whole lot more. I haven't had any problems with flaring either. With the design of the front the use of filters is not easy. Even though I have not tried to put any filters on it. But with the shape of the front of the lens it is almost as if it has a built in hood for protection.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Similar Products Used:   Voightlander Nokton 40mm 1.4
Voigtlander 35mm Color Skopar

Type of photography:   People

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Al Kaplan a Professional

Date Reviewed: February 10, 2007

Strengths:    It's sharp, contrasty and best of all wide! It's also quite small and the distance setting stays put. I mostly just leave it focussed at 1 meter.

Weaknesses:    The finder does have a lot of distortion and since I rarely change the focus setting it's become quite stiff after three years or so. The black finish on the mount scuffs easily revealing the aluminum underneath

Bottom Line:   
I was extremely pleased with this lens. I don't find the light fall-off to be a problem even shooting wide open. It's become my favorite lens. I usually use it on a Bessa L but I often mount it on a Leica M2 with a bayonet adapter. If you enjoy ultra wide angle lenses this is a great bargain and a fantastic lens.

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Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $400.00

Purchased At:   Ebay

Similar Products Used:   For years I had a 19mm f/3.5 Canon until it was stolen. I currently have a 21mm f/3.4 Super Angulon. I also had a Pentax mount Carl Zeiss Jena 20mm Flektagon 30 years ago.

Type of photography:   Other

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by arleask a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: December 5, 2006

Strengths:    Weight, optical quality, ease of use, beautifully wide depth of field.

Weaknesses:    None that I have noticed.

Bottom Line:   
I love this lens for the effects that can be created. I am very pleased with image quality. Ease of use is excellent. LIghtweight that complements my Voigtlander R2a. Having used a Rollei 35 for 20 years (with some stupendous results), I am completely at home with a non-RF coupled lens system. I am happy to make this my standard lens, although I have just bought a 25mm lens to give me a little more flexibility as a 'standard use' lens. IThis may not be as extreme as the 15mm, but it may be of more general use - I'll see.

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Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $250.00

Purchased At:   Sydney

Similar Products Used:   15mm lens

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Grandalltex a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: October 28, 2004

Strengths:    Compact and wonderful color rendition

Weaknesses:    Due to light fall off, add 2 stops.
Iso 100 is now 25
Iso 400 is now 100
Iso 800 is now 200
No cam for focusing

Bottom Line:   
I love this lens. It is sharp, cheap for a 15mm lens, and takes stunning pictures at all apertures. I use it primarily with the V- Bessa-L due to it not having any focusing cams for Leica or Voigtlander cameras. This makes it difficult for close ups @ 4.5 app. Instead, I use mine for landscapes and vacation shots. It has not let me down. The Aspherical elements can not be beat for comparable prices.

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Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $325.00

Purchased At:   Oceanside Pro Photo,

Similar Products Used:   none this wide angle

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by agp a Expert

Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004

Strengths:    Wide view. Good quality for this length.

Weaknesses:    Need to be careful that it is held at the right angle, to avoid ridiculous distortion (a characteristic of the focal length, not just this lens). Viewfinder is rubbish. Only f4.5 maximum aperture - but at this focal length anything wider owuld be expensive.

Bottom Line:   
I wouldn't be without this lens. Oh, it's not as good as my 24mm Leica (but costs a fraction of that), but it has its uses, and is astonishingly cheap for such a focal length. Not a general purpose lens.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $300.00

Purchased At:   Robert White (GB)

Similar Products Used:   24mm Leica Asph

Type of photography:   Outdoor


Reviews 1 - 5 (20 Reviews Total) | Next 15

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  • Lens TypeFixed Focal Length Lens
    Focal Length15mm
    Lens Max Aperturef/4.5
    Min Aperturef/22
    Macro LensWithout Macro Lens
    Closest Focusing Distance11.81 in
    Diaphragm Blades10 Blades
    Picture Angle110 degrees
    Groups / Elements8 Elements in 6 Groups
    Diameter1.95 in
    Length1.21 in
    Weight3.7 oz
    MPNBA212B
    UPC4002451194112
    Product ID27563397
    Other Features<li>Aperture Range: f/4.5-22 <li>Min focus: 1.1 ft. (0.3 m) <li>Comes with viewfinder <li>Available in black or silver


 

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