MC Mir-20M 20mm f/3.5 Lens for Leicaflex

[jimbo035]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Is there a Leicaflex user among us who has one of these ?

I recently bought an SL and am drawn to the 21mm f4 Super Angulon - which even second-hand is well beyond my budget. Browsing camera shop ads worldwide, by chance I came across this Russian (possible) alternative which has a Leicaflex mount (but no cams), for half the price .

 

(I apologise in advance to the Leica-bound purists if even the suggestion of such a combination has upset them )

[dkCambridgeshire]

It might appear to be half the price but if coming from abroad outside the EU it might incurr customs duty and VAT and a collection fee for those charges so factor this in before buying - ie add on another 25% . There is also the aggravation of currency rate of exchange possibly not being in your favour for a one off purchase.

 

I bought a very usable 21mm f4 Super Angulon R on Ebay for less than £200 ... keep looking and you may see another on offer.

 

The problem with Russian lenses is that they are not easy to sell if you ever wish to upgrade - thus their secondhand sale value could be considerably less than their new price.

 

You might be better off considering a used 24mm R or Mk 1 19mm R if either becomes available in your price range. Sometimes really scruffy R lenses have excellent glass and can be very good buys. Dealers mark them down just because the metal is showing through the black coating.

 

I just browsed through a couple of UK dealers' used R lists and saw 24mm R lenses from as low as £299 and a Mk 1 35mm f2.8 R twin cam for just £199 - latter could be a good buy.

 

Did you acquire your SL with the 50mm f2 R Mk 1? It is one of the finest 50mm lenses ever made.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[jimbo035]

Your advice and encouraging suggestions appreciated, Dunk.

I shall try to be patient and watch for a marked down Super-Angulon.

BTW the SL came with a 35/3.8. Elmarit (the first version), and I shall be buying a 90/2,8 Elmarit (first version again) next week. Incedentally I have just been told by Leica Shop in Vienna (who have that Mir in stock) that it "fits only on Leica R cameras. Not on SL camera."

[dkCambridgeshire]

Your advice and encouraging suggestions appreciated, Dunk.

I shall try to be patient and watch for a marked down Super-Angulon.

BTW the SL came with a 35/3.8. Elmarit (the first version), and I shall be buying a 90/2,8 Elmarit (first version again) next week. Incedentally I have just been told by Leica Shop in Vienna (who have that Mir in stock) that it "fits only on Leica R cameras. Not on SL camera."

 

The 35mm f2.8 Mk 1 Elmarit is a very good lens. The 90/2.8 Elmarit is better than excellent - it was the first additional lens I acquired with my first SL camera and produced very impressive results even at full aperture.

 

Have you considered the Mk 1 28mm f2.8 Elmarit R? It is also a decent performer and is available at reasonable prices.

 

Do you have a copy of Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition? It is an excellent introduction to all Leica lenses up to c.2000 and documents their various characteristics very well.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[jimbo035]

The 35mm f2.8 Mk 1 Elmarit is a very good lens. The 90/2.8 Elmarit is better than excellent - it was the first additional lens I acquired with my first SL camera and produced very impressive results even at full aperture.

 

Have you considered the Mk 1 28mm f2.8 Elmarit R? It is also a decent performer and is available at reasonable prices.

 

Do you have a copy of Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition? It is an excellent introduction to all Leica lenses up to c.2000 and documents their various characteristics very well.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

 

I have considered the 28mm Elmarit.. but preferred the 24mm (since owning a D-Lux4 that marked my return to Leica ownership after a twenty-year gap) until I came across that Mir. During my previous Leica years I owned (not simultaneously) a IIIc, an M4 and later an M6. The M6 with a 35 Summaron and a 90 Elmar proved to be my ideal combination which ultimately influenced my choice of an SL + 35 and 90 - in turn governed by a now limited pensioner's budget. The 24mm equivalent end of the D-Lux 4 zoom copes quite well with my interest in tall buildings... but I would really like to "skip" up to a 21 !

 

I have already bought a copy Kisselbach' Leicaflex Book, and now will track down The Leica Pocket Book you recommend. Certain I had an earlier edition in the past. But the only souvenir I have is a Leica Tie.....

 

Should you wish to continue this discussion, feel free to PM me.

[jimbo035]

Sufficient to say, a 21/4 Super Angulon (1970) has completed the three-lens 'arsenal' for my SL, back from a general service any day now.

Can hardly wait to see what it is capable of, although I've read that it performs best stopped down to f8 Comments from others who have used or still use the SL/Super Angulon 21/4 combination welcomed, either here or via a PM.

[sender]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have had the SL/21mm SA combo for at least 20 years and have always enjoyed using it. The lens may not be as sharp as the 28mm Elmarit when wide open, but in most applications it is just fine.

Enjoy it.