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The new Super-Elmar 21 or keep the old Elmarit 21?


mmx_2

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I was never impressed by the Elmarit 21 and my first impressions of the SE 21, after shooting a series with it, are a lot better, especially colour-wise. The sharpness seems just a little bit soft though (for today's standards), a bit like the new Elmarit 28. If the 21 as an angle is your thing, I would very much appreciate its compactness above the Elmarit 21

 

I've been shooting with a pre-production 21mm Super-Elmar for some time, it's very sharp and flare resistance is excellent.

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First let me say I hope Leica sells a ton of the new 21. Second let me say this is in no way meant to discourage anyone else from getting one.

That said, I succumbed to GAS and got a 21/2.8-ASPH, discovered there was precious little improvement over my non-ASPH, and sold the newer one. I am not going looking for a grail again, certainly not at the prices Leica is asking these days. When I need something TRULY compact, I've got the CV 21/4, a lens of modern and remarkable performance.

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...When I need something TRULY compact, I've got the CV 21/4, a lens of modern and remarkable performance.

So have i, very good lens indeed, but i find it a bit soft at f/4 and gaining half a stop would be fine if the new lens is as good or better than the 21/2.8 asph at f/3.4.

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So have i, very good lens indeed, but i find it a bit soft at f/4 and gaining half a stop would be fine if the new lens is as good or better than the 21/2.8 asph at f/3.4.

 

It sure is!

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So have i, very good lens indeed, but i find it a bit soft at f/4 and gaining half a stop would be fine if the new lens is as good or better than the 21/2.8 asph at f/3.4.

 

Over the years and countless posts on several forums I've come to the conclusion there is quite some sample variation in that lens. For example I've read some guys experienced vastly varying degrees of vignetting. I consider myself lucky in that respect, as my copy is at least as sharp @ f/4 as the Elmarit Asph was @ f/2.8 and vignettes less. To warrant my consideration for $3000 this new lens would have to make the Elmarit Asph look like a turd in real-world photographs done by ME... not MTF graphs or other peoples' testimonials.

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...my copy is at least as sharp @ f/4 as the Elmarit Asph was @ f/2.8....

Yes that's what i meant, the Skopar is a bit soft at f/4. I'd expect the SE 21/3.4 to be at least as sharp at f/4 than the Elmarit asph at the same aperture.

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Ah, ok , I understand. Even at f/4 my CV is still very good, but my shooting is primarily f/8 or smaller. It's the same thinking behind not trading my 177mph car for the latest model that can hit 186, given there's zero chance I'll ever drive it above 100, if that.

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Sure main differences in quality and price (size as well) lie at full aperture and one or two stops slower. I own both Skopar and Elmarit asph, both render closely at f/5.6 and on but at f/4 the latter is obviously better.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Does anyone have any information on the rework of the new SEM21 lenses? The last information I heard was "end of July", but in typical Leica fashion it's been very quiet.

 

In the meantime I've found that my Zeiss 2.8/21 Biogon (which I loved on my M8) is a stunning lens on the M9. Maybe it's this new M9 firmware but so far I've not needed to use Cornerfix with this lens.

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I just return from a summer trip with the 21 se. It was stiff in focusing when I first tried it but after using it every day I forgot about it. The images looked grate in the screen (grate color) but I will review in the computer in the next few weeks and post.

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In the meantime I've found that my Zeiss 2.8/21 Biogon (which I loved on my M8) is a stunning lens on the M9. Maybe it's this new M9 firmware but so far I've not needed to use Cornerfix with this lens.

 

Indeed, the new firmware has to all intents and purposes eliminated red-edge for my ZM 21mm Biogon f2.8. It is a stunning performer on my M9 (and M7). Very highly recommended!

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  • 2 weeks later...

after using the 21-3.4 super elmar for a week, the focus was no longer stiff; it is a grate lens.

 

here is a picture with it:

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In the meantime I've found that my Zeiss 2.8/21 Biogon (which I loved on my M8) is a stunning lens on the M9. Maybe it's this new M9 firmware but so far I've not needed to use Cornerfix with this lens.

 

I was waiting for the new Firmware to see if it solved the red edge of my 21mm Skopar, which it didn't. Having so nearly got my hands on a SEM on its release, then it was withdrawn, I bought the f2.8 Biogon. I am fussy about lenses and I'm wondering how a 21mm lens could be better than this. I'm sure the SEM is better from what I have read, but its not twice as good, and the Zeiss colours and rendering make a nice change.

 

Steve

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