p.68 #3 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
After the lunch test shots I went to the shop right away for a replacement.
well, spent quite a few minutes to convince the shopkeeper smearing is a QC problem. He wouldn't believe me until I showed him some comparison pictures in this post.
He's got one last CV 15 III in stock so I tried it. Even a quick test indoor showed it is better than the one I got so I decide to accept the replacement.
WOW it is totally a different lens as I snapped a few shots on the street. Smearing is gone and it is incredibly sharp from corner to corner. Definitely a keeper! So I got my choppy in the lucky draw, lucky, isnt it =)
p.68 #8 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Just ordered one of these in FE mount to try out to see if it can replace my FE 16-35/4. I really like the small size. Crossing my fingers for a sharp copy here...
p.68 #9 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Fingers crossed for you that you get a good copy. Where did you order from?
grahamgibson wrote:
Just ordered one of these in FE mount to try out to see if it can replace my FE 16-35/4. I really like the small size. Crossing my fingers for a sharp copy here...
p.68 #11 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I just wanted to share my experience with the CV 15mm III, it might help someone to decide.
I have bought 2 copies which had visible smearing (just this past month), which never dissapeared regardless of the f stop. One was from the first production batch, one from the latest production (according to the serial numbers anyway). Then I tried buying a used one through the local ads. The guy was kind enough to send me test pictures - sure enough, evident smearing in all 4 corners.
After that I almost gave up. However somewhere in this thread there was a mention of Robert White (official UK dealer), so I decided to try my luck one more time. I contacted them and asked if they are willing by any chance to test the lens prior to shipping it out to me. Explained that I was tired of buying and shipping the lens that underperforms back (which costs money in the end). They were reluctant (previous bad experience with some buyers), but in the end did so. First lens they tested was also a weak performer, I couldn't believe it. That was 4th copy already. But the guys were kind enough to try once more and the next one was (finally!) a keeper. Sharp enough right from the f/4,5 into the corners, and peaking at f/8 throughout the frame.
So a bit of a mixed bag in the end - really poor keeper/lemon ratio for this specific lens. But kudos to Robert White and their customer service. They made it possible for me to have this lens, as I was just about to give up. Highly recommended.
I will post some pictures later to prove the point.
p.68 #12 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Testing my copy today. Can others say whether or not this one is a keeper?
Shot at F8, focus was just before infinity. LR lens corrections applied. Both wen tthrough DXO for noise reduction and contrast adjustment, first. Downsized file to meet FM upload requirements as well.
Looks reasonable to me although I wouldn't call the corners "sharp" by any means - and the corners seem sharper before LR lens corrections were applied.
p.68 #13 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Testing my copy today. Can others say whether or not this one is a keeper?
Shot at F8, focus was just before infinity. LR lens corrections applied. Both went through DXO for noise reduction and contrast adjustment, first. Downsized file to meet FM upload requirements as well.
Looks reasonable to me although I wouldn't call the corners "sharp" by any means - and the corners seem sharper before LR lens corrections were applied.
First image is corrected, second is uncorrected, with lens profile.
Lens mounted on on CV close focus adapter, set at normal range.
p.68 #16 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I don't see any smearing in the corner but it is hard to tell with the test shot you did. You may want to try a shot if a different subject further away and where there is actually something in the corners to tell quality. View some of the test shots earlier in the thread. Also, you said you are using an adapter, is your copy a m-mount v3?
p.68 #18 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
I do think there is some smearing evident in the corners, but I've seen faaar worse with this lens. If it was me, I'd keep looking. Somebody else would say keep it.
Best if you decide for yourself if the performance is satisfactory to you.
p.68 #20 · Official: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 III E-mount
Just make sure that there is some easy to see detail right into the corners. For example there's nothing to judge the top corners. High contrast edges make it easier as well (eg twigs against the sky).
