Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/15

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Subject: [Leica] Ultra-wide Heliar - was: M8 with UV-IR filters
From: jean.louchet at gmail.com (Jean Louchet)
Date: Thu Jan 15 20:39:18 2009

Hi all,

recently bought the CV Ultra-wide Heliar 5.6/12mm and it is a delight
on the M8. No coding, no IR filter.
Distortion is very low, vignetting is noticeable but very smooth and
natural looking, the overall effect is amazingly good - IMHO much
better than with the VC 15mm where vignetting is more of an issue.
Flare resistance is excellent - I took these two pictures in Aristot
(Catalunya, Spain) about two weeks ago, at about f/8 with a Hoya
UV-HMC filter on (unfortunately sensor dust becomes more visible under
such a violent lighting - I had not yet blown away sensor after 11
month use):
http://picasaweb.google.com/jean.louchet/Noel2008ParisCerdagneAristot#5291716199367839570
http://picasaweb.google.com/jean.louchet/Noel2008ParisCerdagneAristot#5291717174145556386
Concerning flare, the same sun-in-the-face but with the CV 1.9/28
(closed at f/6.3) gave
http://picasaweb.google.com/jean.louchet/Noel2008ParisCerdagneAristot#5291736370252996226
which would have looked good if not shown after the 12mm!

The relatively small aperture of the 12mm is a limitation indeed, but
one can't have (large aperture) AND ((such a small volume) OR (such an
affordable price)) at this level of quality. Being given the pixel
distance on the M7 is approx. 7 microns, the effects of diffraction at
f/5.6 are still minimal (contrary to most digi P&S with a pixel
distance close to 1 micron and max apertures around f/3.5 which is
ridiculous as at one stop under full ap the main diffraction lobe
covers several pixels, and at full aperture its the same but caused by
optical aberrations)

I use 6-bit coding on the VC 1.5/50 and 1.9/28. On these lenses I only
add  the IR filter when I use them e.g. on indoor concerts or theatre
scenes - i.e. when there are simultaneously tungsten lighting AND
people wearing synthetic black clothes. Otherwise I never felt the
necessity of the IR filter with natural lighting or when there is nop
black fabric. I took his one with the 12mm in my living/music room
with all-tungsten ordinary lighting plus one halogen on the right:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jean.louchet/Noel2008ParisCerdagneAristot#5291736370252996226
(can't see the Erard grand which is hidden by the double bass). Tight space 
:-)

Got the filter holder for the 12mm though (and never use the original
lens hood). The filter holder looks huge at first sight but in real
use it is not a problem at all, and it doesn't draw any special
attention from people. Expensive for what it is, but a good
non-obtrusive accessory.A plain UV(HMC) filter protects the front
element which would otherwise be very vulnerable. The only issue is it
won't fit easily into a normal individual lens case so I put it into a
sock in my bag.

To summarise, the 12mm is a very nice fit to the M8 and one of my
favourite lenses - much more than the 15mm with the M6. The filter
holder is definitely not "monstruous" at all and nicely designed. In
addition it should allow the use of a polarising and viewing through
it in the M8 viewfinder, so the 12mm+filter holder combination is
probably the  handiest combination for a polariser on a non-SLR
(sorry, the M8 or M6 with the CV 12mm is not a rangefinder camera).

Jean


> Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:10:25 -0600
> From: Harrison McClary <lists@mcclary.net>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] M8 with  UV-IR filters
[...]
>
> I have a VC 12mm ultra wide Heliar.  How does it work on the M8 with no
> coding and filter?  Do I need to get that monstrously huge filter
> adapter and a IR filter for it and get it coded?  If so what is it coded 
> to?
>
> --
> Harrison McClary
[...]

> Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:18:51 -0500
> From: Tina Manley <images@comporium.net>
[...]
>
> Harrison -  I use the VC 12mm on my M8 with no problems at all - no
> coding, no filter.  It's more of a 15mm on the M8 and it's a much
> slower lens than I usually like, but I really like it on the
> M8.  I'll see if I can find some examples to post.
>
> Tina
>

-- 
Dr Jean Louchet
APIS - INRIA 4 rue Jacques Monod 91893 ORSAY Cedex France
Universidad de Guanajuato FIMEE, Tampico 912, 36730, Salamanca, Mexico
----------------------------------------------------------
jean.louchet@inria.fr  http://jean.louchet.free.fr/
----------------------------------------------------------

Replies: Reply from henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff) ([Leica] Ultra-wide Heliar - was: M8 with UV-IR filters)