I need a lens....

[HansenTsang]

.....for my NEX 5N. I just destroyed my second Sony 16mm f2.8 today. I fly them on my radio control helicopter to take aerial photos. Unfortunately the 16mm f2.8 pancake is now on back order. I also want to find something a bit better in image quality.

I have the SamYang 14 mm f2.8 but it is so heavy it triple the weight of the 5N combination. I have all sorts of adapters but all the ultra wide angle rectilinear lens are very heavy.

So does any know of a very light ultra wide angle lens for the APS-C size sensor? Plastic housing is better and I can suffer with f4 if necessary.

I tried the Panasonic 14 mm f2.8 pancake with a adapter and it has a lot of vignetting.

I will even settle for a zoom if it is light but the lightest seems to be the Canon 10-22mm and it is nowhere near as light as the Sony 16mm pancake.

I have looked at the Voigtlander 12.5mm for a Leica M mount but it is f5.6 and heavy. The Canon 14mm L is nice but again it is heavy and very expensive to crash also.

I really appreciate any suggestion.

[Jonas]

I don't think there is any. In what way is the Sony 16mm too bad? Perhaps try it again but add the UWA adapter?

[Vivek]

I am curious as to how you destroyed the 16/2.8 and the camera is (presumably) alive. Any lenshood used?

I also do not think there is anything lighter than the lousy 16/2.8.

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by Jonas

I don't think there is any. In what way is the Sony 16mm too bad? Perhaps try it again but add the UWA adapter?

The Sony 16mm is a little soft for my taste. It does the job but if there is anything else out there I would like to try. The Sam Yang 14mm is a lot sharper but at the expense of tripling the weight.

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by Jonas

I don't think there is any. In what way is the Sony 16mm too bad? Perhaps try it again but add the UWA adapter?

Originally Posted by Vivek

I am curious as to how you destroyed the 16/2.8 and the camera is (presumably) alive. Any lenshood used?

I also do not think there is anything lighter than the lousy 16/2.8.

No camera is not alive. I have destroyed three Sony's already. Concrete, asphalt and very sharp lava rocks. When I crash into trees and soft grass the camera usually survives. No I was not using a lens hood. However dropping a camera from 100 feet in the is not very typical.

[Jonas]

Originally Posted by HansenTsang

The Sony 16mm is a little soft for my taste. It does the job but if there is anything else out there I would like to try. The Sam Yang 14mm is a lot sharper but at the expense of tripling the weight.

The Samyang is not an option in this situation and, as said, I don't think there is anything.
My Sony 16/2.8 is sharp enough except from the very corners. That's why I mentioned the UWA add-on thing as it is lightweight and doesn't destroy the image quality. The corners remains the same lower quality of course but my thought was that you may crop them away and still catch a lot of the ground and whatever interesting things your chopter sees.

[ken_vs_ryu]

what aperture do you shoot at?

some wide and small options:
cv 15mm
cv 21mm
rokinon 8mm

[HansenTsang]

>>My Sony 16/2.8 is sharp enough except from the very corners.<<

Yes it is adequate so far except that they are now on back order. I may have to buy another one from eBay.

>>That's why I mentioned the UWA add-on thing as it is lightweight and doesn't destroy the image quality.<<

So what lens are you suggesting that I should put the UWA add-on. I used to do that to a Panasonic SD-9 video camera and that worked ok for a while.

>>The corners remains the same lower quality of course but my thought was that you may crop them away and still catch a lot of the ground and whatever interesting things your chopter sees.<<

I do a bit of cropping right now because I like to level the horizon.

[HansenTsang]

>>what aperture do you shoot at?<<

I just set to shutter priority. Most of the time I am shooting at f5.6. However there are times when the light is low enough that I am shooting wide open.

>>some wide and small options:
cv 15mm
cv 21mm<<

I was looking at those. I think they are still fairly heavy.

>>rokinon 8mm<<

That is probably a great alternative but it is a fisheye. I wonder if I can correct that in Photoshop and get a straight horizon.

[Hosermage]

Would love to see some of your work, sounds very interesting!

I do have a used NEX-5 and the 16mm for sale here in the forum, PM me if you're interested.

[Jonas]

Originally Posted by HansenTsang

(...)
So what lens are you suggesting that I should put the UWA add-on. I used to do that to a Panasonic SD-9 video camera and that worked ok for a while.

>>The corners remains the same lower quality of course but my thought was that you may crop them away and still catch a lot of the ground and whatever interesting things your chopter sees.<<

I do a bit of cropping right now because I like to level the horizon.

I was thinking of using the Sony 16/2.8 with the Sony UWA addon called VCL-ECU1 which turns the 16mm into a 12mm while adding 125 grams to the weight. Maybe too heavy?

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by Jonas

I was thinking of using the Sony 16/2.8 with the Sony UWA addon called VCL-ECU1 which turns the 16mm into a 12mm while adding 125 grams to the weight. Maybe too heavy?

IMHO the 16mm pancake is soft as it is, I don't need to reduce the image quality anymore by using a wide angle add-on. Besides the 16mm is wide enough for me. I just want to see if there is something with better image quality.

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by Hosermage

Would love to see some of your work, sounds very interesting!

I do have a used NEX-5 and the 16mm for sale here in the forum, PM me if you're interested.

Here are a couple of the more recent ones.

[Hosermage]

Cool! How do you control the shutter? Use one of those time-lapse remote? I can see how a fall from this height could break things

[alphaman]

Originally Posted by HansenTsang

.....for my NEX 5N. I just destroyed my second Sony 16mm f2.8 today. ... Unfortunately the 16mm f2.8 pancake is now on back order. I also want to find something a bit better in image quality... I really appreciate any suggestion.

The only option is to get one second hand if you need to get one more quickly than waiting for a new one.

While the Sony 16mm isn't the very best quality, there aren't (yet) any suitable alternatives - particularly for applications like yours.

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by Hosermage

Cool! How do you control the shutter? Use one of those time-lapse remote? I can see how a fall from this height could break things

I can control the shutter a few different ways. I can use an infrared trigger and hook it up to my receiver. I can then flip a switch on my transmitter to take a picture.

I can also hook up a servo on top of the camera to push on the shutter button. That way I can shoot a multi image burst with one flip of the switch.

The method I use most is to use an intervalometer that fires the shutter automatically once every so many seconds. I typically set it to once every three seconds. That way all I have to do is focus on flying and aiming.

A fall from that height onto thick grass is not bad. Unfortunately the most recent fall was onto a bed of very hard, sharp and jagged lava rocks. That pretty much destroyed everything.

[HansenTsang]

>>The only option is to get one second hand if you need to get one more quickly than waiting for a new one.<<

Yeah you are right. I can get a used one fairly quickly from here or on eBay. I have seen some new ones on eBay but they have to come in from Asia. That can take a while sometimes.

>>While the Sony 16mm isn't the very best quality, there aren't (yet) any suitable alternatives - particularly for applications like yours.<<

Exactly, I have been living with it and will continue to live with the quality.

I wonder if photoshop can correct the lens distortion on a Sam Yang 8mm fisheye. The Sam Yang 14mm is pretty heavy and big but the 8 mm fisheye is not as bad.

I am sure in time some new lenses will come out. I will keep my eyes open.

[HansenTsang]

Hello all,

Is the Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 Leica M mount any good to use in the Sony NEX? I thought I remember reading something about M lenses not too good on the digitals. I cannot remember what that was about.

Thanks in advance.

[Rich M]

Originally Posted by HansenTsang

Hello all,

Is the Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 Leica M mount any good to use in the Sony NEX? I thought I remember reading something about M lenses not too good on the digitals. I cannot remember what that was about.

Thanks in advance.

It's good.....pretty darn good......slight purple corners. M-mount can carry filters, LTM (usually a bit cheaper) can't.

Sorry about your 16mm.....gives new meaning to the term "pancake".

R

[uhoh7]

Originally Posted by HansenTsang

Hello all,

Is the Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 Leica M mount any good to use in the Sony NEX? I thought I remember reading something about M lenses not too good on the digitals. I cannot remember what that was about.

Thanks in advance.

this lens is outstanding on the 5n though it can shift colors a bit. It's the best value, found for as little as 300USD.

the ZM 18 is another step up. A bit bigger though.



I call it "philber's lens" just because he showed us all how incredible it is on the 5n

[douglasf13]

That ZM 18 just looks fantastic, Charlie. I've fought off purchasing one, since my CV 15 is a little wider and much smaller, but that ZM just has "it," from what I've seen.

[HansenTsang]

>>It's good.....pretty darn good......slight purple corners. M-mount can carry filters, LTM (usually a bit cheaper) can't.<<

Thanks, do you have any idea how heavy is the lens?

>>Sorry about your 16mm.....gives new meaning to the term "pancake". <<

ROFLMAO!!! That's a good one. I should get away from the pancake lenses.

[HansenTsang]

>>the ZM 18 is another step up. A bit bigger though.<<

Wow, the 18 does look fantastic. I am really concern about the weight though. I have to do some surfing and find the weight on both.

Thanks for the image.

[mbroomfield]

On the 5N the 12mm VC is very good.. slight colour shift on the edges but usually not noticeable in a ablue sky.

Look at the screw mount, it's lighter than the M and the adapter is very light. (M 8oz/LTM 6.5ox)
The screw mount 15mm is even lighter and has less colour shift. The chart doesn't show the M mount weight but you could email Stephen and ask.
Voigtlander RF Leica Mount Lens Chart

[mbroomfield]

I just looked at the 15mm specs (I have both). LTM = 105g, M = 156g

[uhoh7]

Originally Posted by mbroomfield

I just looked at the 15mm specs (I have both). LTM = 105g, M = 156g

zm18 = 353 grams!






I think it's the best true wide under 2k on any nex--as philber noted you need CF on the 7 but corner rez is fine.

[douglasf13]

Hi, Charlie. I can't remember, do you also have the CV 15/4.5?

[ustein]

Originally Posted by HansenTsang

Hello all,

Is the Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 Leica M mount any good to use in the Sony NEX? I thought I remember reading something about M lenses not too good on the digitals. I cannot remember what that was about.

Thanks in advance.

Do you get a live preview? What copter are you using?

Uwe

[jlm]

i would make some sort of inflatable life preserver to protect the camera from falling

[HansenTsang]

>>On the 5N the 12mm VC is very good.. slight colour shift on the edges but usually not noticeable in a ablue sky.<<

Unfortunately I think f5.6 is a bit slow for all the motion I have in the air.

>>Look at the screw mount, it's lighter than the M and the adapter is very light. (M 8oz/LTM 6.5ox)<<

I am looking at the screw mount. I think the 15mm is 104 grams versus 156 grams for the M mount.

I am pretty sure I will get a 15mm to play. It is still twice the weight of the 16mm pancake but I am sure I have a machine that can lift it.

[HansenTsang]

>>zm18 = 353 grams!<<

Yup, it is more expensive and heavier than the camera body.

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by ustein

Do you get a live preview? What copter are you using?

Uwe

I can if I want. I have to use a HDMI to video convertor. I have one and if I take the circuit board out of the case it is light but the foot print is large. After all those years I am getting very good in aiming from the ground by just looking at the machine.

I have quite a variety of machines. I use a few single main rotor helicopters and a few multi rotors. Depending on the location and occasion.

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by jlm

i would make some sort of inflatable life preserver to protect the camera from falling

By the time I make that I won't be able to lift off.

[uhoh7]

Originally Posted by HansenTsang

>>zm18 = 353 grams!<<

Yup, it is more expensive and heavier than the camera body.

and a far better investment

Douglas...I have not got a 15

for the heli i think the 16 is the best, to be honest--only 60 grams

[FlypenFly]

What is this for?

[HansenTsang]

>>and a far better investment <<

For land use definitely, for something that has a high risk of crashing, probably not.

>>for the heli i think the 16 is the best, to be honest--only 60 grams<<

Yes and cheaper to destroy.

[HansenTsang]

Originally Posted by FlypenFly

What is this for?

A light weight upgrade to the Sony 16mm pancake.