dave massolo Posted May 25, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted May 25, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I currently have a 21mm Elmarit-m f2.8ASPH, and have a question regarding the 21 Super-Elmar 21mm. I hear such great things about this lens, I was wondering if it merits the upgrade. Â Thanks, Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted May 25, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted May 25, 2012 What I have read is that the 21/3.4 Super E is the sharpest 21mm lens ever made. Â Regarding the 21/2.8, I have read that it is not as sharp in the corners as the 21/3.4 is when both are used wide open. Â It is a tradeoff: Sharpness vs. speed. Only you can decide which is more important to the way you make images - and whether or not the cost of upgrade is a worthy investment of your cash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaPassion Posted May 26, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted May 26, 2012 Erwin Puts has reviewed the lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted May 26, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted May 26, 2012 The Super-Elmar is marginally better than the Elmarit. 'Marginally' is the operative word. If I owned the Elmarit I would not upgrade. Just as I would not upgrade to a 50mm Apo-Summicron from the plain Summicron. Â The old man from the Super-Angular Age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted May 26, 2012 Share #5  Posted May 26, 2012 Dave, must say that I am always bemused by this type of question. Do you have any issues with the Elmarit-21 ASPH, which is a great lens by itself? Do you mainly do architectural photography for which the somewhat lesser distortion and edge-to-edge sharpness of the SEM-21 you consider compelling?  I could understand someone saying that he or she needs the Summilux-21 because it's two stops faster, but wanting the SEM-21 just because "it's the best 21mm lens" leaves me cold.  —Mitch/Pak Nam Pran Pak Nam Pran Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted May 26, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted May 26, 2012 The 21/3.4 may be appealing for those who find the 21/2.8 too bulky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 26, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted May 26, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am in a similar situation but quickly dismissed the idea of an upgrade as being unjustifiable for my work. If I did not possess the 21mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, I might be tempted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Verrips Posted May 26, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted May 26, 2012 The only reason for me to switch, would be the size. But I don't use the 21 Elmarit M f2.8 ASPH often, so i stick to this one. Â What would be a reasonable price for a secondhand 21 Elmarit M f2.8 ASPH in mint condition? (just curious). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 26, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted May 26, 2012 I enjoyed for lot of years the Super angulon 21 f 3,4 ; it was problematic on M8 so switched to the Elmarit 21 asph... and I am in the mood that I won't ever need a better 21... (ok, corners are cut away with M8... ). Imho the real plus of the SE is just size. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave massolo Posted May 26, 2012 Author Share #10 Â Posted May 26, 2012 Thanks for all the good comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 26, 2012 Share #11  Posted May 26, 2012 The only reason for me to switch, would be the size. But I don't use the 21 Elmarit M f2.8 ASPH often, so i stick to this one. What would be a reasonable price for a secondhand 21 Elmarit M f2.8 ASPH in mint condition? (just curious).  A very good dealer in Italy (Newoldcamera) has a mint black one listed at 2000 Euros. Leicashop of Wien... 10 Euros less. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted May 26, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted May 26, 2012 Just checked prices on eBay. Asking prices vary from about $2k to $5k USD. Amazing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted May 26, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted May 26, 2012 $2K for an asph body? Are you sure you did not mix asph and pre-asph 21/2.8 in your search? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted May 26, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted May 26, 2012 Thanks. Â Okay, I checked more carefully: Â ASPH: $3k - $5k Pre-ASPH: $2k - $3k Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted May 26, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted May 26, 2012 I have shot a few with the new and have the Elmarit asph, for me the Elmarit asph f2.8 seems a little more painting with its rendering and the the new more sharp precision. I prefer the Elmarit f2.8 asph personally and nearly a stop faster. Also for some reason the high iso noise is more palatable than many of my other lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted May 26, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted May 26, 2012 I bought the ASPH and tested it with my pre-ASPH and sold on the ASPH. Not that I didn't find it better, just not enough for me to justify the difference in cost. And that was when the ASPH in mint condition cost $1600 vs $950 for the pre! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrogers Posted May 26, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted May 26, 2012 The 21 Elmarit ASPH has been my most used lens over the past year. It's performance is excellent, and I see no reason to upgrade at this time. Â Until later, Â Clyde Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted May 27, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted May 27, 2012 The 21/3.4 may be appealing for those who find the 21/2.8 too bulky. Â Wow, I do not own one bulky Leica lens except a Noctilux which in my hands is still not too large, but still would not upgrade unless it is needed as Mallard has mentioned above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted May 27, 2012 Share #19  Posted May 27, 2012 Really? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/180327-21mm-elmarit-mf28asph/?do=findComment&comment=2024725'>More sharing options...
algrove Posted May 27, 2012 Share #20 Â Posted May 27, 2012 Really? Â Is the left lens the 21/3.4 that we are comparing to the 21/2.8? I think not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.