Voigtländer SUPER WIDE-HELIAR 15mm F4.5 Aspherical (Nikon Z)
Launch MSRP
$899- Weight
- 290g
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Min focus
- 0.13m
- Max mag.
- 0.25×
- Formula
- 11E / 9G
- Released
- 2023
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x Aspherical
- 3x APD
- Aperture range
- f/4.5 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 290g
- ⌀ × length
- 67.6 × 67.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- —
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.13m
- Max magnification
- 0.25× (1:4.0)
Optical character
Cosina's Z-mount 15mm is a 110° ultra-wide that also focuses absurdly close: 0.126m, or about 4cm from the hood, for 0.25x magnification. It keeps the strengths of the E-mount version III, with almost no distortion and a 58mm filter thread in front of the petal hood, and the metal hood can be removed with a flat-head screwdriver for square filter holders.
It weighs 290g and has electronic contacts for EXIF, 3-axis in-body stabilisation and Nikon's focus aids (focus-frame colour change, peaking and magnification). The aperture ring is clicked; unlike the E-mount version there is no de-click switch.
Reviewer consensus
Cosina's lens diagram shows the same 11-element, 9-group layout as the E-mount version III, and reviews of that design rate the centre and most of the frame as very good from f/4.5, with the extreme corners reaching their best around f/8 to f/11. Distortion is negligible and colour casts are absent on mirrorless sensors.
Vignetting is the main criticism and stays visible through much of the aperture range, though profiles handle it well. Some lateral colour shows on edge detail, and flare control is generally described as good. Independent tests of the Z version itself were not available for this record.
Owner sentiment
Nikon owners use it as a small travel, hiking and architecture lens and like that it takes screw-in filters and, with the hood removed, square filter systems. The very close focus is a frequent talking point for dramatic wide-angle close-ups.
Complaints focus on vignetting, the small focus and aperture rings, and an f/4.5 aperture that is slow for astrophotography. Some miss the de-click switch of the E-mount version for video.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +110° view with negligible distortion
- +Focuses to 0.126m (0.25x)
- +Takes 58mm filters; hood removable for square filters
- +Light at 290g
- +Electronic contacts with Nikon focus aids
Weaknesses
- −Strong vignetting at most apertures
- −f/4.5 too slow for night sky
- −Some lateral colour at the edges
- −No de-click switch on the Z version
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 5.2
- Autofocus Speed
- MF
- Flare Resistance
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 8.7
- Value / Size
- 8.4
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 15mm |
| Category | Ultra-Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 11 elements in 9 groups |
| Special elements | 1x Aspherical · 3x APD |
| Aperture blades | 10 |
| Focus type | Manual Focus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Manual Helicoid |
| Minimum focus | 0.13m |
| Max magnification | 0.25× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 290g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 67.6 × 67.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀58mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Launch MSRP | $899 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- cosina.co.jp/voigtlander/en/z-mount/super-wide-heliar-15mm-f4-5-aspheric
- cosina.co.jp/voigtlander/z-mount/super-wide-heliar-15mm-f4-5-aspherical/
- nikonrumors.com/2023/01/16/officially-announced-voigtlander-super-wide-heli
- phillipreeve.net/blog/review-voigtlander-15mm-4-5-e-super-wide-heliar/
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- VSVoigtländer SUPER WIDE-HELIAR 15mm F4.5 Aspherical (Nikon Z) vs 15mm F4 (Nikon Z)
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MF
