Older 21mm lens (1983) on M9

[tyler]

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Has anyone used the older 21mm (Non-Asph) on the M9?

 

With film, I've heard the old Mandler lenses are smoother, and focus closer.

 

Just wonder about digital.

 

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[adan]

Click the "coloradoseen" link in my signature and you'll see lots of 21mm (non-ASPH, also 1983 (a nice vintage )) shots made with the M9 in my current magazine. Pretty much anything that looks at all wide in the "Library" and "Castle" stories, and football fans portraits on pages 40, 41, and the big one on 46-47.

 

Also quite a few in this older stand-alone story: ColoradoSeen - Stories Index - Denver's Roller Dolls gear up for

[Nikkor AIS]

I tested the 21 4 F4 Super Angulon on the M9 it wasnt good. In fact it was horrible. The dreaded red edge was brutal. Perhaps the fact that I was using 1600 made the effect worse than it would be on lower ISO, although Im not sure as I only had the M9 for a short time. It would usable if you where only doing B+W but definitally a non go for color. At least with the lens i was using. I have since sold the lens and Im saving for the new 21 1.4 ASPH

 

 

http://rogaltacdesign.smugmug.com/Other/Leica-M9-Sample-Images-1/L10309763/722270810_GqHMN-L-3.jpg

 

 

Gregory

[lars_bergquist]

Tyler was asking about the 1979 Elmarit-M, not about the old Angulon and Super Angulon lenses. These are not retrofocus lenses, meaning that their rear elements are practically kissing the shutter. No mechanical damage will ensue, but the large rear protrusion means that metering won't work, as the meter cells are masked. So using these old lenses is a generally bad idea, though the Super-Angulon was optically quite decent. The first Angulon was not popular even in its own time.

 

The Elmarit-M worked well for me. I had it properly coded. Wide open, it was very decent on axis, and generally with the M8, where the slightly weaker edges and corners were cropped away. Stopped down a bit, it will perform well on the M9 too. When the lens is coded, or manually identified, the camera will apply the proper corrections. The gnomes of Solms have anticipated that it will be used. There are no pre-set corrections for either of the Angulon lenses, which are out of the digital game.

 

The old man from the Age of the Contax Biogon 4.5/21mm

[Leicaquarters]

Tyler,

I just read your question about 21 mm. Let me tell you something about my experience with an even older type: the Super Angulon 3,4. After ordening my M9 I started reading this forum and I found out Thorsten Overgaard had already taken pictures with it.

As soon as I got my M9 I started using the SA 21mm. Awful. Colorshift. I even mailed to Leica Customer service about it. But buying a new lens was out of the question. So, what to do?

I also read about cornerfix and that was the solution. I am pleased with the results. Now this 21mm lens is one of my favourites! Two pictures to see for yourself.

And as my 21mm is even older, the 21mm 1983 should perform even better. Good luck!

Peter

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[Leicaquarters]

I forgot the data:

ISO 160, 1/250 - 5,6.

As no lightmetering is possible I started with a guess, look at the LCD screen to see if it is all right. If not I change settings.

Peter

[lars_bergquist]

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Yes, what cannot you do with this newfangled computer stuff ;-)

 

It is not a workflow I would prefer, however. The Zeiss ZM 2.8/21mm Biogon has got very good reviews and costs a fraction of the opposite Leica number. The 25mm Biogon is known to be fully up to the standard of the 24mm Elmarit, and probably even better ... I can vouch for the first part.

 

The old man with a wide angle squint

[bocaburger]

I have the 21/2.8 pre-ASPH. Mine is coded, and works beautifully on the M9, however at ISO above 160 I get increasing red-edge phenomenon (at 160, none). That's of course not the fault of the lens. The same thing happens with my Cosina 21mm f/4...coded as a 21 pre-ASPH there's no red-edge at 160, but starts to appear more strongly as the ISO increases. I don't know if the ASPH is better in that respect, but I'm not about to sell up to one. I bought an ASPH back in my film days and didn't see enough of a difference to keep it, that's why I stayed with the pre-ASPH. I'll just use Cornerfix if I need to correct the red-edge on shots made above 160.