Buy a 21 Lux or a 24 Lux for the M9?

[rolu]

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Hi everybody! As the M9 seems to be only 12 days away (;-)) one question does not go out of my mind and I'd be very glad, if you could help me to resolve.

 

Since the purchase of either a SX-A 21 or a SX-A 24 puts a huge weight both on ones wallet and photobag, I cannot decide between the two.

 

I have a Voigtländer 12mm (which I preferred over the Voigtl.15mm because of my impression of better performance, but I think I will use it more as a 14 or 15mm maybe), a SX-A 35, and a SX 75, which are all waiting for the M9 - but leaving a big hole in the wide angle range.

 

I have two considerations to make:

 

1) I'm coming from the reflex world with chemical workflow. My much preferred FOV in the past has been the 24mm, more tensionous, exiting FOV compared to the 21mm FOV. IMHO the 17-19mm range has more tension again, compared to the 21mm. So this would hint at buying the SX-A 24 and SE 18 (or ZM18?). But being used to composing the picture on the reflex focussing screen and not having so much experience with practical M photography, I'm not so sure. I could imagine that my photographic behaviour could change, shooting with the M, considering that the careful composition is not so accurately possible with the M and could be replaced by something else (more intuitive behaviour?). This could hint at choosing a slightly wider FOV and cut the picture afterwards, so buying a SX-A 21 (and no 18 - so even saving some money) ?

 

2) The second consideration is about the lenses themselves.

I am more and more interested in shallow DOF, giving more depth to the picture, a 3D impression if you want, which is maybe what still fascinates with medium and large format photography.

Normally one would expect the SX-A 24 has an advantage here, because of its slightly longer focal length. But I read Steve's great review of the SX-A 21 and 24

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/95716-24-summilux-m8-my-review.html

and he stated, that the 21 had more a 3D impression.

On sharpness there were conflicting messages: Steve preferred the 24, while Erwin Puts sees a slight advantage of the 21 at least wide open.

SX21SX24, part 2

 

Thanks for your help!

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[ArtZ]

rolu,

 

IMHO, if I were you, I would wait until the M9 (with full frame sensor) is on the shelves and we know about its low light capabilities but also its minimum ISO, IQ, DR, etc. I believe it will much easier for you to make up your mind about the lens you want or need (which is not necessarily a Summilux).

 

I'm not saying I wouldn't like to have the new Summiluxes 21 and/or 24... but, for moment, I use the WATE and the Zeiss 21/2.8 on my M8s. As the M8 is not a winner under low light conditions, sometimes I DO regret not having a Summilux. With a full frame M9 performing better under low light conditions, I'd be more than happy with my actual lenses (getting a Summilux 21 or 24 would be more for other considerations)

 

PS: But I'm not buying the M9 for the moment... I'll see in 2010... when the M9.2 hit the market!

[batmobile]

I think both the wide luxes suffer from the fact that a 0.72 finder has no frame lines for them, which makes things interesting considering the shallow DOF wide open. sure you can guess with a 0.58 finder, but you are seriously guessing with a 0.72. Leaping between hot shoe finder and focus at 1.4 would not be fun.

 

My 2C? Wait to see if they introduce a 28 lux asph later this month if you must have a fast lens and then get a 21 2.8 as your v wide lens. I cant see 24 1.4 working terribly well unless you have a 0.58 finder and user the periphery or are prepared to bounce between finders.

[rolu]

Thanks for your help and insight!

 

So I went with the 21, - yes the M9 is FF and yes I will have to use a finder and yes it is expensive. I will learn, if the 21 fits the M better.

 

Cheers

[jaapv]

You really cannot go wrong with either of those lenses, it is a matter of personal inclination which to choose.

[rolu]

You really cannot go wrong with either of those lenses, it is a matter of personal inclination which to choose.

 

I saw your 24 shot - great ! - post more, please.

 

You put it very well, great lenses. Just my inclination for focal lengths is in a somewhat creative disorder. The rangefinder experience is really inspiring.