First the compact size makes it an easy, and enjoyable lens to carry around. And, despite the wide angle, distortion is very manageable and easy to correct. So, I found myself using it exclusively for a couple of weeks for a wide variety of pictures, from family and kid portraits to panoramas.


It is very sharp, and the aperture, and focus rings are as far from each other as possible given the compact nature of the lens; and best of all, in the right order! That is, the wider, focus ring is closer to the camera body; and that is ideal for me for a good grip, before shooting.

I've been very impressed with this lens since I took it out of its packaging. The entire exterior being metal and all the markings being engraved and painted gives it a premium feel. The focus and aperture rings turn with just the right amount of resistance. It's lovely to use. The results are great too. Yes it's slow (a trade-off I'm happy to make for the small size) and not as resistant to flare as a Zeiss (though it doesn't have a Loxia-like price tag either) but it's sharp and distortion free. It does vignette a little but that's easily fixed in post. Bottom line: If you want a compact and high performing rectilinear ultra-wide angle prime then this may the one for you.

This lens is absolutely perfect for video with the Sony ZV-E1. It's incredibly easy to zone focus and with dynamic active image stabilization's 1.4 crop factor it gives a perfect 21mm field of view, perfect at least for my taste, neither too wide nor too narrow for video. A lot of people online say the crop factor is 1.3 but I have a 21mm lens to compare it to, and the 15mm in dynamic active stabilization gives a negligibly, unnoticeably narrower field of view than the 21mm lens with stabilization off.

Several years ago, I purchased Version I of this lens in Leica thread mount, and, while it performed superbly, I hated the experience of using it on my rangefinders with an optical accessory finder. When I finally got a Sony a7, it was a completely different experience, with 100% accuracy in framing and no nuisance finders. However, the lens performed poorly with the FF digital sensor, with bad fall-off and smearing. I sold it to get a newer version compatible with the Sony. While the version II in M mount would work on both a Leica or the Sony, with an adapter, I chose the version III for the better ergonomics and the dedicated E-mount. Electronic communication of EXIF data is also a plus, as is Focus Assist. I am thrilled with this lens! There is no fall-off at all, and it is extremely sharp across the frame. There is a very small amount of distortion, easily corrected, but negligible and not noticeable for anything except pictures of brick walls, for those of you who like that sort of thing. Ergonomics are superb; the lens is solid, silky smooth, and mounts perfectly. Balance on the a7 is very nice (and is even on my a600). There is a very well-designed, spring loaded de-click ring (no key needed), and the aperture ring, when de-clicked, has just the right resistance and would not be easily moved accidentally. Electronics all performed flawlessly; Cosina, the manufacturer, has the technology: remember that they also manufacture the high-end Zeiss Loxia line for Sony, which uses the same electronics. Internet jabber seems to indicate that there is a lot of variation in optical performance across various samples of this lens. Maybe, but mine is superb. Since the early days of the Bessas, I've owned 14 different Voightlander lenses. Never a lemon, and all excellent performers. This is a lens with a rather extreme perspective. It's not for everybody, and using it well to make images that sing will take some practice. Once you master it, it will serve you well!

This lens is doing everything I expected it to do. I purchased the Sony A7 so I could have a smaller and lighter full sensor camera, but of course the Sony lenses for the most part are about the same size as most larger SLR lenses tend to be. So I decided to go back to manual focus, smaller rangefinder and mostly wide angle lenses since I do mostly Architectural exteriors and Interiors. Anyway it seems to do what I need it to do and it's a lot smaller than the FE 16-35. I shoot with this lens set on F11 for the most part, which is fine because most of my shots are done using a tripod.

very beautiful lens. I attach a photo and used my sony aR shot in shanghai

Such a fantastic piece of gear. Built solid! The focus ring is smooth and the aperture selection moves well too. Used with my A7s, there's minimal vignetting and lens flare isn't bad either. Yes, it's a bit on the slower side but when using wide angle lenses, wouldn't you want to stop down for every little detail? It's not too bad for astro, but with city and landscapes, this thing is fantastic.

I have Leica 21mm m-mount, Minolta 20mm, Sony 10-18mm on Sony A7Rii. At widest, they all have a bit of fish-eye look. The 15mm Voigtlander is wide at 110 degree but picture feel like a 28mm, But you have to try a few sample to get a lens that is sharp in corner. Mine is bright and sharp corner to corner. Picture show a living room of a 550sf apartment. It looks spacious bot not have fisheye look.

Do yourself a favor and look past the fact that this is manual focus. Honestly, it is that good. Sharp (right into the corners), Very low distortion, small, takes 58mm filters, very well built (like all Voigtlander's) and a bargain for the price. It is easy to want the latest & greatest with fast AF. But honestly, with a lest this wide the lack of AF is not an issue. There is no doubt in my mind this lens performs better than the f/2.8 zooms that cost three or four times more. Remember, F/8 and be there! and you will never need to worry about focusing.

Despide being 15mm, super wide angle, lines are as straight as can get, with virtually no barrel distortion. Lightweight, and looks like it was made for the Sony A7 series cameras. Incredibly sharp. Manual focus is a breeze since turning the focus ring automatically brings up focus assist magnification on the Sony. Best wide-angle I've ever owned. Great value!