Iceland, which 21mm ?

[Paul Verrips]

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We're planning a trip to Iceland for August 2016.

 

I strictly and only shoot B&W film and i ant to buy a 21mm for this trip.

 

I think i will go for the Voigtländer Skopar 4,0/21mm Pancake II (€ 480) or the Voigtländer Ultron 1,8/21 mm (€ 1130).

 

Ultron f1.8:

Length: 78,4 mm (with hood)

Weight: 412 g

Filtersize: 58mm

 

Skopar f4.0:

Lenght: 25,4 mm

Weight: 136 g

Filtersize: 39mm 

 

Do you think that is will need the faster f1.8 in Iceland? The weight and size doesn't attract me......

[MarkP]

If you only shoot film you should seriously consider the spectacular 4.5/21 ZM C-Biogon, or if you need a faster lens the equally impressive but not as compact 2.8/21 Biogon-T.

Edited August 30, 2015 by MarkP

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[mmradman]

If you only shoot film you should seriously consider the spectacular 4.5/21 ZM C-Sonnar, or if you need a faster lens the equally impressive but not as compact 2.8/21 Biogon-T.

1+

 

i think ZM 21mm f4.5 goes by name Biogon.

[MarkP]

Yes it does indeed thank you. I've corrected in the post above.

 

It was a fabulous landscape lens, very little distortion so also good for architecture, but the red-edge for colour on the digital Leicas gave me the shits.  I sold it with very mixed feelings.

 

We are also considering Iceland in 2016 and I haven't even started to think about which gear to take (I lie  ).

 

Wilsons Promontory, Victoria, Australia

M9 4.5/21 C-Biogon

The original image, posted some years ago here, was unfortunately lost with the Forum upgrade

 

 

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Edited August 30, 2015 by MarkP

[Paul Verrips]

Yes it does indeed thank you. I've corrected in the post above.

 

It was a fabulous landscape lens, very little distortion so also good for architecture, but the red-edge for colour on the digital Leicas gave me the shits.  I sold it with very mixed feelings.

 

We are also considering Iceland in 2016 and I haven't even started to think about which gear to take (I lie  ).

 

Wilsons Promontory, Victoria, Australia

M9 4.5/21 C-Biogon

The original image, posted some years ago here, was unfortunately lost with the Forum upgrade

 

 

Wilson's Prom Master Duo.jpg

Beautiful shot! I'm planning for august. Maybe we can have a Leica Meet.

[MarkP]

Thanks Paul.

 

 

Nice idea. For the moment we've cleared September in our diaries as it was best for work commitments, but it's not set in stone.

 

Do you know what the best times of the year are to visit as we haven't looked into it yet?

[Paul Verrips]

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That's a difficult question Mark, look here ------>  http://www.iheartreykjavik.net/2014/02/when-is-the-best-time-to-visit-iceland/

 

But it also depends on where you want to go, hit the tourist spots or search for the desolate areas. August is not set but what came into my mind first.

[mca]

I would personally prefer a used Elmarit 21mm pre-ASPH which you can get for around 1000/1100€, the same price of that Ultron you mention. It is a f/2.8 aperture, more than enough for most situations, it is Leica quality and it's an investment where you probably won't loose any money if you ever decide to sell it. 

 

Dont forget the external viewfinder though or you'll be guessing framing quite a lot and that's not so easy with film since you can't see what you're doing right away

[tntrue]

I was there for a couple of weeks earlier this month and my Super Elmar 21mm f/3.4 served me well . . . 

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Peter H]

Thanks Paul.

 

 

Nice idea. For the moment we've cleared September in our diaries as it was best for work commitments, but it's not set in stone.

 

Do you know what the best times of the year are to visit as we haven't looked into it yet?

 

 

Mark, I'd suggest earlier in the year if possible simply because the hours of daylight start shortening quite quickly from the second half of August onward, and perhaps less importantly but certainly a factor, the temperatures can drop quickly too. We found there's so much we wanted to see and do that shorter days would have left us very frustrated, relatively, though I'm sure it's always a wonderful place to visit...

 

We went in June when the days are very long (it didn't get fully dark and you could read a book by natural light at midnight) and it was magical. 

Edited August 30, 2015 by Peter H

[Paul Verrips]

@Peter H thnx for sharing your experience, June is on my mind!

[Paul Verrips]

I was there for a couple of weeks earlier this month and my Super Elmar 21mm f/3.4 served me well . . . 

Also for 100 & 400 ASA film?

[rramesh]

21 SEM. I usually bring the Leica tabletop tripod as it is light and very handy.

Edited August 30, 2015 by rramesh

[Paul Verrips]

How about the Leitz Wetzlar Super-Angulon-M 1:3.4/21 (1974)

 

What is a nice price including a metal Leitz 21mm finder (square)?

[Peter H]

@Peter H thnx for sharing your experience, June is on my mind!

 

Yes, I'd strongly recommend June Paul.

 

And just to correct my error, it's not that the daylight hours get shorter later in the year, just that there's fewer of them! And quite dramatically so.

 

Also I think some of the places that are safe to visit around June become much more difficult later in the year, so although the Rejkjavik night-life no doubt hots up in the autumn-winter months, the later you leave it the more you risk missing some of world's most extraordinary scenery.

 

If you're planning walking, which is necessary for some of the more spectacular places, I'd suggest the lightest set of equipment you can be happy with, at most something along the lines of a small 21,  35, and something longer like an Elmarit-M 90 or similar. The light in June will be good so fast lenses shouldn't be your top priority.

Edited August 30, 2015 by Peter H

[Paul Verrips]

The light in June will be good so fast lenses shouldn't be your top priority.

This answer makes sense to me! Thanks a lot.

 

Do you have a website or Flickr account with some appetizers? 

Edited August 30, 2015 by Paul Verrips

[uhoh7]

Since you are shooting film, the CV 21/4 would be fine, though you may want to check for de-centering. You would save a fortune on the lens, and it's so tiny, great for travel.

 

On digital that lens is not so great, so a ZM 21/2.8 or SEM 21, is way way better. But on film the little CV smokes pretty well

[Paul Verrips]

Since you are shooting film, the CV 21/4 would be fine, though you may want to check for de-centering. You would save a fortune on the lens, and it's so tiny, great for travel.

 

On digital that lens is not so great, so a ZM 21/2.8 or SEM 21, is way way better. But on film the little CV smokes pretty well

Yes, the size and weight of the CV 21 f4 is perfect!

[Peter H]

This answer makes sense to me! Thanks a lot.

 

Do you have a website or Flickr account with some appetizers? 

I'm sorry Paul, I haven't scanned any of them and the prints and negs are miles away at the moment.

 

But whatever I could show you, and whatever you can see elsewhere or conjure up in your mind's eye, I promise the reality will be better!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[bocaburger]

Iceland is one of a limited number of places I haven't been, so if it poses some unique photographic challenge compared with other places across the globe then maybe my input is worthless here, but I currently have a pre-ASPH Leica Elmarit 21mm, and LTM and M versions of the CV Skopar and all perform superbly on M9 and M240 when coded as the Leica pre-ASPH.   I almost never travel with the Elmarit unless I am certain of a need to shoot a lot of interiors hand-held without flash.  The CV is a tiny lens by comparison, and takes the same e39 filters as my other travel lenses.