Voigtländer Heliar 15mm f/4.5 Super Wide III

Sony E

Review

The Voigtländer Heliar 15mm f/4.5 Super Wide III is an intriguing option for photographers who crave ultra-wide perspectives. Designed for Sony E-mount cameras, this lens combines classic optical design with modern build quality, making it an excellent choice for landscape, architecture, and astrophotography.

At first glance, the Voigtländer Heliar impresses with its compact and lightweight design, weighing merely 370 grams. This feature allows for easy handling on long shooting days, especially when mounted on smaller mirrorless bodies. The lens also sports a solidly constructed metal housing, which feels durable and premium. Aesthetics aside, this lens draws significant appeal from its excellent manual focusing experience. The focus ring is beautifully damped, providing precise control crucial for achieving sharp images in challenging shooting conditions.

Optically, the Heliar 15mm f/4.5 impresses with its sharpness across the frame, even wide open at f/4.5. Users will note that corner performance is commendable, maintaining good detail with minimal distortion. Vignetting is present at wide apertures, but this is often easily correctable in post-processing or may even be desirable for certain artistic applications. Bokeh quality, while not the primary focus for an ultra-wide lens, is also surprisingly pleasant, lending itself well to creative compositions when isolating subjects in the foreground.

However, potential buyers should be aware of a couple of drawbacks. The maximum aperture of f/4.5 can feel limiting in low-light situations, requiring higher ISO settings or slower shutter speeds, which may compromise image quality through noise. Additionally, the lens lacks autofocus; while many enthusiasts appreciate the tactile feel of manual focus, those accustomed to electronic assistance may find this a significant drawback.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact and lightweight design
• Excellent build quality and construction
• Impressive sharpness across the frame
• Minimal distortion and good corner performance
• Pleasant bokeh for an ultra-wide lens

Cons

• Limited maximum aperture of f/4.5
• No autofocus, which may deter some users

Verdict

In conclusion, the Voigtländer Heliar 15mm f/4.5 Super Wide III is a fantastic lens for Sony E-mount users who appreciate the art of manual photography and seek an ultra-wide angle for their creative endeavors. With its robust build, remarkable optical quality, and delightful manual focusing experience, it stands out as a worthy addition to any photographer’s kit. However, those who prioritize low-light performance or desire autofocus may want to consider alternative options.