Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/07/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Stephen Gandy claims the Voigtlander lenses are not coded to be in compliance with Leica patents. I think that is nonsense.... Voigtlander is almost as slow as Leica to come out with user friendly options ( see M mount lenses!) But Zeiss also does not code its lenses... so maybe it is true.... See : http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/39737-removing-zeiss-m-18mm-flange-mount.html for info on coding the Zeiss 18 with Milich.....say an additional $150 The Zeiss 18 may be a good choice, but I have never handled nor shot one of them....but the finder is supposed to be excellent...and the huge LEica WATE finder is a piece of ... well... garbage..... it distorts terribly. Really terrible. Did I mention how big it is? I have never tried a separate 18mm Leica FInder. But for $800 it had better take its own pictures! The finder at 18mm is pretty critical.... you need something. So the price of the Zeiss is the lens ( about $1200) plus finder ( about $400) plus Milich coding ( $150) The leica is $3500 plus finder ($800 Leica, $400 Zeiss) or the WATE complete for about $3500 ( I think you said....) The WATE is most flexible, the Zeiss cheapest, the Super Elmar most $$$ and probably the best, optically. My $0.02??? Get the LTM 15mm Heliar for $300 or so, and try it out.... you can sell it later for $300 if you do not like it or decide to get a different lens.... Super Wides are pretty weird lenses, and some never get the hang of their use.... besides, how many time are you going to use a 15mm lens? It is not like it is a "normal" lens..... There, I said it. I am now going up to my room. Frank -----Original Message----- >From: Vick Ko <vick.ko at sympatico.ca> >Sent: Jul 24, 2010 6:34 AM >To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> >Subject: Re: [Leica] Friday WTB: Cosina 12mm, 15mm M mount? > >Oh, an unfocused case of GAS is frustrating. > >Yes, the LTM versions from Cosina are dirt cheap, and yes, perhaps best >for usage on the M8 with coded adapters, although may be a nuisance with >UV/IR filters. > >The WATE is looking like the best and cleanest option, although not >cheapest. > >Also, the Zeiss 18mm Biogon is looking really good, although may be >tricky to code. > >...Vick > > >On 7/24/2010 12:51 AM, red735i at earthlink.net wrote: >> Finders are separate for the M mount lenses.... they were free with the >> older LTM lenses..... >> >> One disadvantage of the M mounts... they are not 6 bit coded...... and I >> am not sure they CAN BE 6 bit coded..... >> >> A reason to use older LTM technology, and get those coded LTM-M >> adapters.....and save a few bucks.... >> >> Now the UV/IR filters are a whole other problem..... >> >> Vick..why get the Leica 18mm ? Coded, filter available, price not all >> that bad...? >> >> Frank..... >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> >> > > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information