Zeiss Hologon 16mm f8 G

[Full Lumen]

I have been thinking about one of these lenses to finish off my set, so to speak, but they are hard to find anywhere other than on eBay where they are really pricey.

They are also a bit of an oddity being manual focus and having a fixed f8 aperture. I would expect that image quality would be very good though.

So has anyone used this lens and what were your experiences of it please?

[koji]

I use it, though it is difficult to tell which photo is shot by Holgon 16mm or
CV Super-Wide-Heiliar 15mm. But the most striking aspect of its image is
you do not feel the result is made by super wide lens, mainly due to almost no
distortion I guess.

I uploaded some of my image shot by this Hologon 16 mm, however images
look a bit washed. The colour of images from this site is not so good comparing
what I see on the other BBS sites and my Pbase account unfortunately.

[whitecat]

I would stick with the CV Super-Wide-Heiliar 15mm. The Hologon is a fantastic lens but too many limitations like the graduated filter, f stop....but a beautiful lens.

[Tom A]

I have owned and used several of the Hologon's - both the "original" 15mm f8 and a converted 16f8. At the time (early 70's) it was the widest lens you could find for a M camera. It has massive edge fall off (2-3 stops) and you need to use a "compensating" filter - which turns it into a f16 lens.
It is a complex design - and it does have some idiosyncrasies - apart from the fall-off. I is a scale focussing lens - and it does not focus to infinity (stops at about 10 m). Not a big deal as it has a huge depth of field.
The 15f8 was (and still is) often used by architectural photographers. You simple set it at closest focus and drop it inside a model. Straight edges and good resolution too.
The Heliar 15f4.5 is a much improved lens from the Hologon. Proper focussing, f-stops that are useful and MUCH cheaper! Better performance too - less fall off (though there is still some - but it is a 15mm after all.
If you are buying one to complete a set, by all means go for it. But. if you are getting one to use - the Heliar is a much better choice, Just add a dedicated body for it such as the Ikon SW, a Bessa L or T.

[herb Pilhofer]

has anyone use a Hologon 16mm with the new Leica M9.
I would appreciate your response..
herb
hpilhofer@gmail.com

[kds315]

Excellent results Koji - you must have been really close to capture that wonderful Peony!