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Zeiss 21 f/2.8 or Leica 21mm f/3.4?


Mylek

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Hello,

 

did anyone had the chance to try the new Leica 21mm f/3.4 on a M9 so far?

How does it compare to the Zeiss 21 f/ 2.8 for vignetting and color rendition...

How is it compare to the latest 21mm elmarit?

 

Regards!

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A related question:

Has anyone taken delivery of the new SE 21/3.4 lens yet? (excluding the pre-issue to select pros for testing). Anyone tried one? There was a post elsewhere that there were delivery issues and it isn't out yet. I don't know what the current situation is. Anyone know?

 

RM

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Stocks have been recalled to fix a focussing problem.

Thanks, Andy.

 

Out of interest does anyone know if it's the same mid-range focus problem that occurred with the 35 Summilux FLE shortly after its release by any chance?

 

Pete.

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I have the zeiss lens and it is great and better with the software upgrade. No idea regarding leica comparison but puts singled out this zeiss lens as an excellent if not best zeiss lens. My general feeling is that taking quality price and amount of use it gets on my camera (not much) the zeiss is the better lens. Given a limited bankbook and the high quality choices available my preference is to spend on the focal lengths I use the most. One mans opinion anyway

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Thanks, Andy.

 

Out of interest does anyone know if it's the same mid-range focus problem that occurred with the 35 Summilux FLE shortly after its release by any chance?

 

Pete.

 

I don't know what the Summilux problem was, but I was within an ace of driving over to my Leica dealer to pick up the Super Elmar on the first day. I got a call to say they had discovered a problem (with both of the lenses they had been sent) which caused the focus ring to get very, very tight when the lens was mounted on a body.

 

Steve

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I don't know what the Summilux problem was, ...

Steve,

 

As I understand it, the 1st version 35 Summilux asph was heavily criticised when the M8 appeared and it was found to commonly back-focus at wide apertures. It hadn't previously been noted because the thickness of the film was enough to mask the problem.

 

When the version 2 (FLE) was produced Solms made sure that each lens was tested and adjusted for accurate focus at wide apertures close up and at infinity. After the lens shipped several customers complained of focussing problems (I think) at middle distances. This is an apocryphal account but came from a reliable source.

 

Pete.

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Love my Zeiss 21/2.8 on my M9. Have it set to manual and 21/2.8 11134 and don't notice any real vignetting. Love this lens and love the colours the zeiss gives. Would recommend it to anyone.

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Love my Zeiss 21/2.8 on my M9. Have it set to manual and 21/2.8 11134 and don't notice any real vignetting. Love this lens and love the colours the zeiss gives. Would recommend it to anyone.

 

Any red edge with the new firmware???

 

Steve

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Thanks, Andy.

 

Out of interest does anyone know if it's the same mid-range focus problem that occurred with the 35 Summilux FLE shortly after its release by any chance?

 

Pete.

 

No it isn't AFAIK. 250swb has described the problem

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So this lens (3.4/21) seems to have several problems. I had one and mechanics were better than with any other new M lens I have. But I experienced the issue that the rangefinder was out of focus at infinity (this issue also came up in another thread). I called Leica about it as I wanted to use the lens in two weeks time but was asked to return the lens now. So far they don't seem to have a clue what happened and how long it will take to fix it (at least that was my impression on the phone). A bit annoying - it is not the first time they launch a new lens, isn't it?

 

Unfortunately the Zeiss 2.8/21 isn't an option for me anymore. It was my preference until I read about the issue with light coming in due to a differently placed screw on the current mount. This seems to happen with long/very long exposures. I think there is a thread in rangefinderforurm about this. Might not be an issue for everyone, but I am a bit fed up with all the restrictions one has to take into account when taking photos with the M system.

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Unfortunately the Zeiss 2.8/21 isn't an option for me anymore. It was my preference until I read about the issue with light coming in due to a differently placed screw on the current mount. This seems to happen with long/very long exposures. I think there is a thread in rangefinderforurm about this. Might not be an issue for everyone, but I am a bit fed up with all the restrictions one has to take into account when taking photos with the M system.

 

As I understand the light leak problem is because an inset screw on the lens mount directly coincides with a similar screw on the body flange. Now I'm not saying anybody have have to do a DIY fix on a brand new £1000 Zeiss lens, but it would seem simple enough to fill the indentation over the screw head with something non-permanent but robust, perhaps wax. Two minutes work would then save spending an additional £1000 on the Super Elmar.

 

Steve

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Love my Zeiss 21/2.8 on my M9. Have it set to manual and 21/2.8 11134 and don't notice any real vignetting. Love this lens and love the colours the zeiss gives. Would recommend it to anyone.

 

Absolutely agree - I find the ZM 21/2.8 + ZI 21 viewfinder delightful to use with superb results. The combination of coding as 11134 and the firmware update has reduced red-edge to a negligible amount. I find myself using it more frequently than I did my EF 16-35mm on my 5D MkII.

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  • 5 years later...

I personally have found no corner smearing issue with the Zeiss ZM 21mm f2.8 on the M9 body. Exceptional performance and although the Leica 21mm f3.4 is superb, I just prefer the Zeiss.

 

Dave (D&A)

 

Hi Dave,

 

Thanks for the shared experience. That really helps as I am still evaluating which to go for. Apparently, as I still don't have any biogon lens, if the ZM21 can work on a M9 properly, I will give it a priority. 

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Again keep in mind there is always sample to sample variation, so if at all possible to try out the zeiss 21 prior to purchasing or if there is a return policy, that will go a long way to address your concerns.

 

Dave (D&A)

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