Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
p.66 #1Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Stephen reports back that his tech is disassembling a copy to see how the infinity focus stop can be adjusted.
These are not the old film days when an approximate infinity stop and a properly adjusted lens mount are necessary since there's no immediate feedback as to focusing accuracy (other than the viewfinder). The infinity stop needs to have some wiggle room to achieve best focus, which is easily confirmed with 100% magnified viewing with the A7RII.
These are not the old film days when an approximate infinity stop and a properly adjusted lens mount are necessary since there's no immediate feedback as to focusing accuracy (other than the viewfinder). The infinity stop needs to have some wiggle room to achieve best focus, which is easily confirmed with 100% magnified viewing with the A7RII.
Oct 14, 2016 at 12:02 PM
p.66 #2Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
jhinkey wrote:
Stephen reports back that his tech is disassembling a copy to see how the infinity focus stop can be adjusted.
These are not the old film days when an approximate infinity stop and a properly adjusted lens mount are necessary since there's no immediate feedback as to focusing accuracy (other than the viewfinder). The infinity stop needs to have some wiggle room to achieve best focus, which is easily confirmed with 100% magnified viewing with the A7RII.
Leica rangefinders still work the old school way, but they max out at 24mp.
I think that some of the chipped E mount lenses have a slightly short focus throw for manual focus back and forth around the infinity mark not to be cumbersome. E.g. the Loxia 21 has a short focus throw, like the DSLR 21mm Distagon, rather than the longer throw of the ZM 21/2.8 Biogon.
Stephen reports back that his tech is disassembling a copy to see how the infinity focus stop can be adjusted.
These are not the old film days when an approximate infinity stop and a properly adjusted lens mount are necessary since there's no immediate feedback as to focusing accuracy (other than the viewfinder). The infinity stop needs to have some wiggle room to achieve best focus, which is easily confirmed with 100% magnified viewing with the A7RII.
Leica rangefinders still work the old school way, but they max out at 24mp.
I think that some of the chipped E mount lenses have a slightly short focus throw for manual focus back and forth around the infinity mark not to be cumbersome. E.g. the Loxia 21 has a short focus throw, like the DSLR 21mm Distagon, rather than the longer throw of the ZM 21/2.8 Biogon.
Oct 14, 2016 at 12:39 PM
p.66 #3Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
jhinkey wrote:
Stephen reports back that his tech is disassembling a copy to see how the infinity focus stop can be adjusted.
These are not the old film days when an approximate infinity stop and a properly adjusted lens mount are necessary since there's no immediate feedback as to focusing accuracy (other than the viewfinder). The infinity stop needs to have some wiggle room to achieve best focus, which is easily confirmed with 100% magnified viewing with the A7RII.
Any update yet?
Oct 17, 2016 at 04:57 PM
p.66 #4Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
His tech is still working on it.
Oct 17, 2016 at 11:05 PM
p.66 #5Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
jhinkey wrote:
His tech is still working on it.
It clearly must not be an easy fix then!!
Oct 18, 2016 at 06:31 AM
p.66 #6Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Unfortunately my built in BS detector objects and calls BS. 
Sorry about that. But my intellect doesn't control that detector.
Sorry about that. But my intellect doesn't control that detector.
Oct 18, 2016 at 09:17 AM
p.66 #7Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Latest as of today: They think they have found a solution -
"It will take a few weeks to be sure as I need parts to arrive from Cosina."
At least Stephen is a man of his word and is clearly working on a solution.
I just hope that it is in fact a true solution and it's not just that the optics are not sharp (as sharp) like my VM version is.
"It will take a few weeks to be sure as I need parts to arrive from Cosina."
At least Stephen is a man of his word and is clearly working on a solution.
I just hope that it is in fact a true solution and it's not just that the optics are not sharp (as sharp) like my VM version is.
Oct 19, 2016 at 07:34 PM
p.66 #8Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I received a 15mm E-mount yesterday from Stephen Gandy, and tested it at infinity from a nearby hilltop. It looks very good to me, but I'll post samples here for the rest of you to take a look. Corners are sharp and also look very similar to one another. These are at f/8, which looked to be best overall.
Processed in ACR from A7RII files; default sharpening only; jpgs at max quality (12). I've applied the ACR new profile for this lens, but only for vignetting; distortion correction not applied, nor any other exposure/contrast, etc.
Processed in ACR from A7RII files; default sharpening only; jpgs at max quality (12). I've applied the ACR new profile for this lens, but only for vignetting; distortion correction not applied, nor any other exposure/contrast, etc.
Nov 08, 2016 at 03:54 PM
p.66 #10Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Danny, looks like a keeper!
Jhinkey, any further update on the fix?
Jhinkey, any further update on the fix?
Nov 08, 2016 at 09:33 PM
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p.66 #11Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Looks really good!
K-H.
K-H.
Nov 09, 2016 at 03:31 AM
p.66 #12Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Bought a 15mm & 10mm Leica M mount from BH. They arrived today. 15mm is no go. It seems never sharp at corner. I will request an exchange.
10mm is at least as good as any review I can find on line. My gut feeling is this one is even greater on M than Alpha. It also show better flare performance than 15mm at same condition. though expensive but seems worth it.
10mm is at least as good as any review I can find on line. My gut feeling is this one is even greater on M than Alpha. It also show better flare performance than 15mm at same condition. though expensive but seems worth it.
Nov 09, 2016 at 11:34 PM
p.66 #13Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I bought the Voigtlander 15/4.5 II (older model) yesterday. Got a very nice deal on it, so I could not resist on not buying it. 
Used it today and I`m actually surprised by the quite good performance that it had on my Sony A7r2. I have read that the older version of this lens is not performing well on the Sony A7x. But for me needs this lens will suit med fine. I`m not using ultra wides a lot, but it`s cool to have and play with it. And when I need perfect corners I will use my Loxia 21mm.
The lens is so tiny, so it`s very easy to put it into the bag. I also do a lot of hiking so the low weight and volume of this lens is perfect. Lightroom also have a profile for this lens.
So If you are on a budget and would like an ultra wide lens for the A7r2, the version II of the Voiglander might be worth a test. I`m happy with mine.
Jan
Used it today and I`m actually surprised by the quite good performance that it had on my Sony A7r2. I have read that the older version of this lens is not performing well on the Sony A7x. But for me needs this lens will suit med fine. I`m not using ultra wides a lot, but it`s cool to have and play with it. And when I need perfect corners I will use my Loxia 21mm.
The lens is so tiny, so it`s very easy to put it into the bag. I also do a lot of hiking so the low weight and volume of this lens is perfect. Lightroom also have a profile for this lens.
So If you are on a budget and would like an ultra wide lens for the A7r2, the version II of the Voiglander might be worth a test. I`m happy with mine.
Jan
Nov 10, 2016 at 10:49 AM
p.66 #14Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
So, we were hoping that Voigtlander stopped the CV 15/4.5 III production for a couple months in order to improve quality control for this lens. Was it the case?
Nov 21, 2016 at 11:53 PM
p.66 #15Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Are we under the impression that the hit and miss on a good copy are about the same odds between M and E mount?
I'm headed to Japan next month and will probably pick one up there, but as of now I'm inclined to try out a few of the used M-mount version iii's that the shop I like has in stock, as opposed to giving a new one a try at only a very modest discount. Any thoughts? I'd like E mount, but not at 50% more (even the used E-mount ones are near $800).
I'm headed to Japan next month and will probably pick one up there, but as of now I'm inclined to try out a few of the used M-mount version iii's that the shop I like has in stock, as opposed to giving a new one a try at only a very modest discount. Any thoughts? I'd like E mount, but not at 50% more (even the used E-mount ones are near $800).
Nov 22, 2016 at 02:14 AM
p.66 #16Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Fred Miranda wrote:
So, we were hoping that Voigtlander stopped the CV 15/4.5 III production for a couple months in order to improve quality control for this lens. Was it the case?
I think generally, yes. These lenses from the new run seem to have less smearing in the corners. The main complaint now is that several people including myself feel the infinity hard stop is just a hair short. I would like it to go just a sliver beyond critical focus.
Nov 22, 2016 at 08:01 AM
p.66 #17Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Mine was good first time around.
Nov 22, 2016 at 09:01 AM
p.66 #18Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
That's great news guys! I will probably try one from the newer batch in the near future.
Best,
Fred
Best,
Fred
Nov 26, 2016 at 12:41 AM
p.66 #19Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Hi Guys
Does anyone know approx where the serial numbers on the later good 15mm LM mount vIII's start approximately please?
Many thanks!
Berni
Does anyone know approx where the serial numbers on the later good 15mm LM mount vIII's start approximately please?
Many thanks!
Berni
Jan 10, 2017 at 09:49 PM
p.66 #20Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
So this morning I bought this lens at B&H and a quick test outside the store showed obvious corner smearing. I tried two other copies and neither was great - one about the same and one better but not as good as it can be. 3/3 bad ones for me. QC still appears to need some work.
Jan 11, 2017 at 11:43 AM