Which lens for a rangefinder?? (21mm or 15mm?)

[Silverclaw]

Hi everybody! I'm getting into film photography, and I'm going to get a new lens for my trip.

I currently have a Voigtlander 35mm f1.4, and I would like to get a wide angle lens. So that begs the question: which one? I'm having trouble deciding which wide angle is good for tourist like pictures of London. (not for street photography, as I have my 35 for that)

I am currently undecided between the Voigtlander 21mm f4 and the 15mm f4.5, leaning towards the 15mm because it seems more fun to use, but I'm scared it will be much too wide.

*I could also get a 50mm f2 collapsible summicron, or a 50mm f2 heliar collapsible, or just get a Fujifilm X100.*

As you can see, I am terrible at making decisions, and would like to seek the help of more experienced photographers.

Thanks,
Sc

 

[alexlowyh]

I have the voigtlander 15mm f4.5, I use it mainly for landscape. Sometimes I find it too wide and end up cropping my photos. The only thing I don't like about the 15mm is the built in hood, which doesn't allow me to use Graduated neutral density filters, and when using a Circular polarizer, you get a uneven effect, etc some parts of the sky are darker. I'm looking to change to the 21mm color skopar or even the zeiss 18mm F4.

Alex

 

[kaxdd]

I think it depends on your budget as well. The CV 15mm is a little more expensive than the 21mm. If you're using the R4M like me, you wouldn't need an external viewfinder for the 21mm. However, if you are going for the 15mm, you will need an external viewfinder which will add to your budget. For me, the 21mm is enough for me. It's sharp enough for me and also pretty small and compact.

 

[Silverclaw]

Thanks for the replies. I will need an external viewfinder for both, but there are currently many 15mms being sold on the BnS section, so price will be less of an issue. I just haven't found reason to take one over the other. Are there any posts/samples comparing 15mm to 21mm?

 

[artspraken]

look at samples of each of 15mm and 21mm on flickr before making ur decision

 

[xuberone]

the ltm 15mm comes with a choice of 15 or 21 mm viewfinder when you buy it ... i have one as well and it is quite fun to shoot with ... above 2m and you do not really need to focus ...