Robinyuill Posted July 9, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 9, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi there. Looking for the collective knowledge on a lens choice I am making. I am looking to get a 21mm for use on my M8 and M6. I have just borrowed a Voigtlander 21mm f4 color skopar (ltm) with an adapter, which I should be able to code appropriately. I am also saving the funds for the choice in the future of an older Elmarit M 2.8:21 or I have a real desire for a Super Angulon 3.4. I am aware of the metering problems with the S.A on the M8 and the colour cast etc but the mystique of the S.A is almost over powering! The S.A seems to be on sale for about £1100 on some sites or dealers. I know that there are pros and cons to the lenses but I always value the opinions of the members who have actual experience of these lenses. Thanks in anticipation. Regards Robin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 9, 2012 Posted July 9, 2012 Hi Robinyuill, Take a look here 21mm lens choice advice.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
NZDavid Posted July 9, 2012 Share #2 Posted July 9, 2012 The Zeiss ZM 2.8/21 is also an excellent choice with very high resolution and contrast. A hood is advised for use in the sun. The Zeiss finder is also very bright and clear. See Erwin Putts for detailed lens comparisons: ZM lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJDrew Posted July 10, 2012 Share #3 Posted July 10, 2012 The inexpensive, tiny, unassuming Cosina Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm is an amazing little lens. Armchair photographers love to hate it... people who take photos love to love it. I have a bunch of samples at the post below with the M8. With the M9 and the right profile its just really a wonderful, emotional lens. The colors are almost pastel and otherworldly and it produces files for black and white conversion that are effortless and suck in artifact-free sharpening like a sponge... mid tone contrast like a champ. That voice in your head telling you that a cheap lens can't be as good as the others is lying to you. The Zeiss is fine, too. http:// www.leica-boss.com/2011/07/test-drive-voigtlander-color-skopar-21mm-f4/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 10, 2012 Share #4 Posted July 10, 2012 Hi there. Looking for the collective knowledge on a lens choice I am making. I am looking to get a 21mm for use on my M8 and M6. I have just borrowed a Voigtlander 21mm f4 color skopar (ltm) with an adapter, which I should be able to code appropriately. I am also saving the funds for the choice in the future of an older Elmarit M 2.8:21 or I have a real desire for a Super Angulon 3.4. I am aware of the metering problems with the S.A on the M8 and the colour cast etc but the mystique of the S.A is almost over powering! I have two Skopars (recently picked up a used M mount and keeping my LTM as a spare) and the pre-asph Elmarit. I had two SAs (chrome and black) and the Elmarit-asph. You can see how I rank them by the ones I kept and the ones I sold. The SA is very compact, but there is the meterng issue and both of mine flared badly even with the hood. The Asph was just not that much better than the pre-asph to justify the cost. Bang for the buck, the winner is the Skopar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted July 10, 2012 Share #5 Posted July 10, 2012 I bought a 21 f/4 Color-Skopar at a steal and its an amazing lens. So compact and no red edges with new firmware on M9. People have told me that the 21 super-elmar is outstanding for architecture but I am still not convinced to upgrade to that. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/245798-upgrade-21-super-elmar-m.html This together with the 35 Summicron makes for a super 2 lens street kit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted July 10, 2012 Share #6 Posted July 10, 2012 The 21mm Elmarit-M ASPH is wonderful on the M8, I really, really liked it on my M8. For some reason, I don't feel quite the same with my M9, preferring the 24mm Elmarit-M asph. A few from a trip to Cornwall, the restaurant ones are at ISO 1250 and I really liked how the M8 and 21mm Elmarit-M ASPH. combined for perspective and 'grain' in low light 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/183397-21mm-lens-choice-advice/?do=findComment&comment=2059120'>More sharing options...
rramesh Posted July 10, 2012 Share #7 Posted July 10, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) 21 color-skopar. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/183397-21mm-lens-choice-advice/?do=findComment&comment=2059152'>More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted July 10, 2012 Share #8 Posted July 10, 2012 The Zeiss ZM 2.8/21 is also an excellent choice with very high resolution and contrast. A hood is advised for use in the sun. The Zeiss finder is also very bright and clear. See Erwin Putts for detailed lens comparisons: ZM lenses I second this choice of lens. It is my main lens on the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 10, 2012 Share #9 Posted July 10, 2012 This is tricky because effectively you are choosing two focal lengths in one lens. I found the 21 Aspheric on the M8 one of my best performers (equal to 28mm focal lenght). On full frame M6 it performs as intended giving you lovely sweeping fields of view. If cost is not an issue, that is the one I would buy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted July 10, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 10, 2012 I have both the older classic 21/3.4 Super-Angulon (SA) and the new 21/3.4 Super-Elmar (SE). The SA is a fabulous lens - but within its limitations. I love it on the M8 for B&W but its really for use on an M4. The SE is a stunningly good modern lens which works superbly on the M8/9 (and probably the film Ms - I haven't tried it as yet). Whilst the SA has all the mystique and characteristics of an older, once state-of-the-art lens from the '60s, has minimal distortion and easily produces vignetting and fine detail inherently reminiscent of older looking wide-angle images, it lacks the absolute technical prowess of the SE, and consequently its versatility (although some might refer to this as sterility, I would personally not agree). Either lens will yield excellent images but the pros an cons of each, whilst easy enough to write down, are far more difficult to decide upon in an either/or situation - I have been fortunate in being able to own a copy of each (my SA is not 'mint'). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted July 10, 2012 Share #11 Posted July 10, 2012 I am a WATE fan, a good 21mm, plus you get 16/18 too. I bought it for my M8, fell in love with it on the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted July 10, 2012 Share #12 Posted July 10, 2012 Another vote for the Zeiss 21/2.8 biogon. It may not be the tiniest 21mm for a rangefinder, but it is a very good lens indeed. I have had one for almost three years now. I could not imagine that this lens would limit any photographer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJDrew Posted July 10, 2012 Share #13 Posted July 10, 2012 I feel bad for not posting images with a recommendation. All taken with M9 and the C/V viewfinder 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/183397-21mm-lens-choice-advice/?do=findComment&comment=2059610'>More sharing options...
nelly Posted July 12, 2012 Share #14 Posted July 12, 2012 I would get a WATE but not fond of the large ugly frankenfinder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jev Posted July 12, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 12, 2012 I would get either WATE which is f4 or Avenon/Kobalux at f 2.8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted July 12, 2012 Share #16 Posted July 12, 2012 Rightio, here's a few with the ZM 2.8/21 on the M9 in bright sun. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/183397-21mm-lens-choice-advice/?do=findComment&comment=2061274'>More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted July 13, 2012 Share #17 Posted July 13, 2012 I also have a Zeiss 21 f/2.8 Biogon and it is truly an excellent lens. However, one issue you should be aware of if you do long exposures is that it may have a light leak problem on long exposures on the M9. I have seen this on mine with 5s + exposures particularly in bright sunlight (obviously using a NDF). It seems that one of the mount screws on this lens lines up with one on the M9 and allows a tiny bit of light through which is noticeable on very long exposures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosophos Posted July 13, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 13, 2012 I also have a Zeiss 21 f/2.8 Biogon and it is truly an excellent lens. However, one issue you should be aware of if you do long exposures is that it may have a light leak problem on long exposures on the M9. I have seen this on mine with 5s + exposures particularly in bright sunlight (obviously using a NDF). It seems that one of the mount screws on this lens lines up with one on the M9 and allows a tiny bit of light through which is noticeable on very long exposures. Brilliant. I noticed this phenomenon recently in the context of precisely what you describe -- long exposures. Your explanation makes complete sense -- thank you! I agree with everybody, however, that this lens is otherwise excellent.: Zeiss ZM 21mm f/2.8 Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted July 13, 2012 Share #19 Posted July 13, 2012 Brilliant. I noticed this phenomenon recently in the context of precisely what you describe -- long exposures. Your explanation makes complete sense -- thank you! I agree with everybody, however, that this lens is otherwise excellent.: Zeiss ZM 21mm f/2.8 Peter. I wish I could take credit. I was helped with this issue some months back here in the forum. There are workarounds, but the issue exists. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted July 13, 2012 Share #20 Posted July 13, 2012 ... However, one issue you should be aware of if you do long exposures is that it may have a light leak problem on long exposures on the M9..... I carry a black velvet hair bunch in my bag to slip over the lens to fix this, cost little, weighs less. Success 100%. Makes it look daft but not so much as if I wore the bunchie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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