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Voigtlander SL 15/4.5 Aspherical Lenses for Nikon F/F2 Mirror Lockup (and Nikon, Contax, and Leica RF via adapters) Discontinued, subject to stock on hand!
SL 15/4.5 $499, FL Adapter $115, Nikon F/F2 Accessory Shoe $85
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Voigtlander SL 15/4.5 Aspherical Lenses for Nikon F/F2 Mirror Lockup (and Nikon, Contax, and Leica RF via adapters) Discontinued, subject to stock on hand!
SL 15/4.5 $499, FL Adapter $115, Nikon F/F2 Accessory Shoe $85
In August 2003 Cosina Voigtlander introduced the SL series 12/5.6 and 15/4.5 in Nikon F mount for mirror lockup. Shown above is the 12 mounted on a Nikon SP rangefinder, and the 15 mounted on a Nikon F2. These are deeply recessed NON-retrofocus lenses which require mirror lockup. The SL 12/5.6 is the widest non-fisheye lens ever made in Nikon F mount. The SL 15/4.5 is by far the least expensive and smallest 15mm lens ever made in Nikon F mount. They will ONLY fit Nikon SLRs with full mirror lock up, but Cosina only guarantees compatibility with the Nikon F and F2. With adapters, the SL and 15 can easily be used on hundreds of other cameras. The Voigtlander FS adapter allows the SL 12 or 15 to be used on either Nikon or classic Contax rangefinders, and probably Kiev Contax copies as well. The Voigtlander FL adapter allows their use on hundreds of different Leica screw mount cameras. Add a screw mount to bayonet adapter to the FS adapter to mount them on Leica M mount cameras. With the same optics as their Leica mount counterparts, the SL 12 and 15 also mount and focus properly even on the Leica M5 and CL with their mechanical meter cells, but you will probably have to test the meter readings for possible adjustments. With the hard to find Canon N adapter you can also mount the SL 12 and 15 on many Canon FD bodies which have mirror lock up. Thus the SL 12 and 15 are among the most versatile super wides ever produced in terms of multiple camera platforms.
Here the SL 12/5.6 is mounted on a Nikon Ftn using Nikon Accessory Shoe. The SL 15/4.5 is mounted on Nikon F2 using Voigtlander F/F2 Accessory Shoe, both cameras with mirror locked UP. The Voigtlander F accessory shoe is optional, since the Nikon F/F2 accessory shoes are easily available on the used market. What Nikons will these lenses fit? Cosina only guarantees compatibility with the Nikon F and F2, however it is likely the new SL 12 and 15 will work on most if not all Nikon SLRs with mirror lockup: Nikon F, F2, F3, F4, F5, Nikkormat FT, FTN, FT2, FT3, EL, EL2 and EL2. The Cosina web site says the lenses will NOT fit the meterless version of the FT, the Nikkormat FS.
The high quality machining and finish of the Voigtlander SL 12 and 15 are easily apparent. Like the original Voigtlander 12 and 15 lenses in Leica screw mount, these are scale focus lenses. The SL 12 and 15 add to Cosina's modern multi-coated 21/4, 25/4, 35/2.5, 50/1.5, and 85/3.5 multi-coated Nikon Rangefinder mount lens line up. These Voigtlander lenses are the only Nikon Rangefinder mount lenses made after Nikon's Rangefinder production line shut down in the mid 1960's -- with the exception of Nikon's 50/1.4 for the S3 2000. Unfortunately for those with the Nikon F mount 21/4 Nikkor, the FS adapter will NOT fit properly with it, nor will the new SL 12 rear lens cap fit it.
The Voigtlander F accessory shoe replaces the F/F2 finder, locking in and removing the same way as the original finders via the push button on the back edge of the top plate. You can also use the less convenient Nikon F/F2 accessory shoe which fits over the rewind knob. In time these F/F2 accessory shoes will become rarer than the lenses! Don't buy a SL 12 or 15 without the accessory shoe!
Using the discontinued Canon N adapter, the Voigtlander SL 15 mounts on any of the Canon F1 bodies, with the mirror locked up. They will also likely mount with the N adapter on the Canon FT-QL, FTb, FX and FP as these bodies have mirror lock up. However, BE CAREFUL when trying it to make sure you do not inadvertently damage the lens or the camera.
Mount the F-L adapter on your Voigtlander SL 12/5.6 or 15/4.5 lens, add a screw mount to bayonet adapter, and they will work perfectly on Leica M mount bodies. Here such a combination is mounted on this magnificently Shintaro painted grey hammertone Leica M3 body.
The SL 15/4.5 mounted on Contax IIIa, both using the Voigtlander F-S adapter. It is is substantially wider than the widest lens Zeiss made for classic Contax, the 21/4 Zeiss Biogon.
The SL 15/4.5 lens still mounts the F-S adapter. I hoped the F-S adapter would allow me to mount Nikkor wides on my Nikon and Contax rangefinders. Alas, it was not to be, at least on the lenses I tried. It seems the inside of the F-S adapter is chock full of the camera's focusing helical. Most Nikkor wides have rear elements which protrude slightly into the SLR body, which hit the body helical inside the F-S adapter. I found my examples of the 20/2.8, 28/2, 50/2, 50/1.4 and 105/2.5 AI lenses would not work, but my 50/3.5 Macro and 85/1.8 would.
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Revised: July 12, 2007 . Copyright © 2003-2007 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.