mandelbrot Posted May 3, 2015 Share #1 Posted May 3, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all I was thinking about the SEM 21 but not sure about the usefulness. I have now the Zeiss biogon 25 ... any suggestion? Thanks in advance.<br />M<br/> Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 Hi mandelbrot, Take a look here Super Elmar 21. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jrp Posted May 3, 2015 Share #2 Posted May 3, 2015 It's a v high performing lens, that is probably too close to the 25mm to be useful. Hard to say more in the absence of further and better particulars. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandelbrot Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted May 3, 2015 Thanks for your help. My lenses set is Zeiss 25 and Leica 28, 35, 50 and 90. :-) I was thinking to sell the 25 and add the 21. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted May 3, 2015 Share #4 Posted May 3, 2015 The SEM 21 is a great lens, especially dramatic when shooting architecture close up. I should take it out more than I do but I find, for framing, I need to use it with the EVF 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiepphotog Posted May 3, 2015 Share #5 Posted May 3, 2015 Thanks for your help. My lenses set is Zeiss 25 and Leica 28, 35, 50 and 90. :-) I was thinking to sell the 25 and add the 21. Sound like a good plan to me since your 25 is too close to 28. But how comfortable are you with the 25 FL? The usefulness of a lens is only up to the user. I have the Elmar 24 and skip straight to 15 for my widest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandelbrot Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted May 3, 2015 What does FL mean? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandelbrot Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted May 3, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) The alternative idea could be to sell 25 and get the Elmar 24. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted May 3, 2015 Share #8 Posted May 3, 2015 What does FL mean? Focal length Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrp Posted May 3, 2015 Share #9 Posted May 3, 2015 What dissatisfies you about the 25mm? What camera are you shooting on? Live view is almost essential with the wider lenses, where levelling and cropping become paramount. A multiple of 1.5 or 2 between focal lengths is practical. On that basis, I'd go for the 15mm Voigtlander or the 18mm Leica, if I liked wide angle shooting and wanted another lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhoh7 Posted May 4, 2015 Share #10 Posted May 4, 2015 (edited) SEM 21 is best 21mm ever made for daylight, and while the 25 is a strong lens too, not in the league of the 21. Great Plan. L1030612 by unoh7, on Flickr Sure shooting 21 is another realm, but will teach you tons. DSC02517-2 by unoh7, on Flickr Edited May 4, 2015 by uhoh7 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted May 4, 2015 Share #11 Posted May 4, 2015 I've just been away for a couple of weeks and took the 21SEM along with a 35,50 & 90. The 21 was extensively used - its a fabulous lens. Only slight downside is that if you underexpose a 'neutral' image the corners can show colour cast if adjusted substantially in post processing. Sloppy photography but it can happen, I know! That said the same is potentially true for most wide lenses. Other than that I'd be hard pushed to fault it. It is a super-wide though, IMO significantly more so than a 24 or 25 and not everyone gets on with the increased angle of view. So there is some personal preference which can only be sorted by looking through a lot of images from 21s and/or trying one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckrider Posted May 4, 2015 Share #12 Posted May 4, 2015 21 is quite near at 25mm. I'd suggest 18mm or Tri-Elmar 16-21.... Thomas Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithlaban.co.uk Posted May 4, 2015 Share #13 Posted May 4, 2015 The 21 is my favourite lens for tripod mounted architectural work. It is better than my 28mm - same FOV - Hasselblad HCD lens which was my former go to architectural lens. If the Super Elmar didn't exist I doubt I'd be using Leica M cameras now. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsh Posted May 4, 2015 Share #14 Posted May 4, 2015 I do not own the 21 Super Elmar. I do own 21 Elmarit ASPH. I cannot offer advice of one over he other as I have never tried the newer lens, but I have been more than happy with the Elmarit and they can be had a good prices in new or Nearly new condition. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted May 4, 2015 Share #15 Posted May 4, 2015 I sold my Zeiss 25 and now have the 21SEM and could not be happier. That said we are all different in how we view a scene and which lens might be best for it in our own view. Lens questions are the hardest to answer. Best to go rent one before buying or try a friends if possible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMJ Posted May 4, 2015 Share #16 Posted May 4, 2015 I own both the 21SEM & ZM25 (reviews often state that it's nearer a 26mm) & I love both. But I don't have a 28mm, my next is a 35mm. So I would argue that your ZM25 is actually closer to your 28mm & that you should consider selling one of these & adding the 21SEM - this lens always surprises me at how good it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tthorne Posted May 5, 2015 Share #17 Posted May 5, 2015 The SEM is, hands down, the highest performing 21mm lens I have ever used. Sharpness across the frame at all apertures and no distortion to speak of. Straight lines stay straight. I currently have the 21mm Summilux which is a great lens in it's own way, but not really close to the optical perfection that is the SEM. Also, the SEM is very compact and lightweight, has that wonderful focus tab, and takes 46mm filters for us 35/50 Summilux owners. This lens is a definite buy, especially at it's price point. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiepphotog Posted May 5, 2015 Share #18 Posted May 5, 2015 Many are in favor of the SEM 21, but I'm not sure the OP would be comfortable shooting with that focal length. I assume that he has not shot with a 21 before. On the other hand, if he likes the 25 but looking for an ultimate sharpness, he could sell the 25 and get the Elmar 24, which is in equal term with the SEM 21 if not a bit sharper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tthorne Posted May 5, 2015 Share #19 Posted May 5, 2015 Oh yes, I forgot to mention that there is a very big difference between 25mm and 21mm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest )-( Posted May 5, 2015 Share #20 Posted May 5, 2015 I picked up the 21 Super Elmar not too long ago, along with a viewfinder (using on M9) I think it's an astounding lens, it feels like my ultra wide 28 Cron. So far my use is primarily architectural. It's definitely one to be careful in how you compose but if you do, the lack of distortion is just great. I have the brightline leica finder which works as advertised but cheaper options exist if needed. I like having an OVF to look through though. I haven't used 24/25mm on an M9 (and doubt I will tbh with the strength of the 21 Super Elmar and 28 Cron ASPH) the 21/28(either) make a great pair. To my eye, 21mm is into the territory where you are beyond just a wide field of view (that I would consider 25mm to be in) and into an 'alternate universe' of ultrawide perspectives. Worth trying a 21mm lens if you are able before buying if you're unsure about the FOV. For me, 21mm is wide enough, especially in a system where there is a limit on MFD. You don't like/use your 25ZM then? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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