IWC Doppel Posted March 16, 2013 Share #1 Posted March 16, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm interested in how much use people get with this lens and if users of 24 and 21 find it a useful addition I am enjoying going wider again after thinking of selling my 21 ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tappan Posted March 16, 2013 Share #2 Posted March 16, 2013 When I added Leica to my life in 2011 (I am a Canon shooter) I purchased my lenses in a "DSLR mindset." I added a 35mm, a 24mm Elmarit and an 18mm Super Elmar. For many months I thought that maybe it was a mistake to have 2 lenses, the 24mm and the 18mm, so close to each other. For a long time I was thinking about selling both and buying a 21mm. However, I have found what others here on the forum have know for years, that each Leica lens has it's own signature. The key is to USE these lenses a lot and to learn about them. The 24mm is so amazingly sharp and pleasantly contrasty. The 18mm has very little distortion. I love both. Mark M9reno 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted March 16, 2013 Share #3 Posted March 16, 2013 I'm interested in how much use people get with this lens and if users of 24 and 21 find it a useful addition I am enjoying going wider again after thinking of selling my 21 ! I have the three focal lengths: 18, 21 and 24. These 3 focal lengths are very different. The 3 mm gap between 18 and 21 means increasing 18 by 1/6th. The 3 mm gap between 21 and 24 means increasing 21 by 1/7th. That's nearly the same leap. In the very wide angle range that's a lot! If your 24 is the 3,8 by Leica, I would not sell it. It's an absolutely 1st class lens. And if your 21 is the 3,4, again by Leica, I would also keep it. You can buy the 18/4 by Zeiss: it's much cheaper, but also a stellar lens, with even less distortion than the Leica one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted March 16, 2013 Share #4 Posted March 16, 2013 I have a Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 mm Asph and recently added a Super-Elmar-M 18 mm Asph to my (way too wide already) lens collection, to see if it would add something in terms of sharpness or character. I found the Super-Elmar sure is a great lens, but—no greater than the Tri-Elmar at 18 mm is. It is better than the Tri-Elmar in some aspects but worse in others ... so all things considered, it is an alternative but no clear improvement. I guess I shall keep the Tri-Elmar and sell the Super-Elmar in the near future. Rick 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted March 16, 2013 Thanks for the input so far, my 21 and 24 are both Leica Elmarit ASPH. I can see an 18mm being added to the wish list..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted March 17, 2013 Share #6 Posted March 17, 2013 Interesting. With my 28 Cron, I am using my 21 CV less. I would be interested in considering the 18 SE over the 21 SE to go wider. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanydave Posted March 17, 2013 Share #7 Posted March 17, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Buy the 18mm super elmar. You will not regret it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macjonny1 Posted March 17, 2013 Share #8 Posted March 17, 2013 Or get an 18mm Zeiss and be able to use filters without an adapter. algrove 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted April 11, 2013 Share #9 Posted April 11, 2013 Is there a real reason to own the sem over the zeiss? What is the difference between the two lenses? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 11, 2013 Share #10 Posted April 11, 2013 (edited) Totally subjective imo. I shot them side by side prior to buying the Super Elmar. The quality differences were minimal in my eyes, but I liked the "look"of the Leica a lot more. Edited April 11, 2013 by jaapv Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoySmith Posted April 11, 2013 Share #11 Posted April 11, 2013 I have had the 24mm SEM for a few years and love it. This year I added the 18mm SEM and really like the field of view. As long as it is horizontal the distortion is very limited (see here). When it is not horizontal the distortion - especially with people in the image, is significant (see here). I am still on the learning curve with the 18mm SEM, but do recommend it. IWC Doppel 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertJRB Posted April 11, 2013 Share #12 Posted April 11, 2013 Is there a real reason to own the sem over the zeiss? What is the difference between the two lenses? I used both and kept the leica. To me the big advantages of the leica are: 1: Smaller size 2: Focus knob 3: 6 bit coded The zeiss advantages are: 1: more standard filter size 2: cheaper Further they are quite similar in picture quality. I took the leica because of its advantages, but also because i liked its pictures better. They are quite similar in quality, but the leica has more the leica look while the zeiss can be more hars and with more contrast. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted April 11, 2013 Share #13 Posted April 11, 2013 If you are into landscape photography, get an 18 for near/far images. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted April 12, 2013 Share #14 Posted April 12, 2013 I sold the 18SEM as for me it was just too close in look to the 21SEM (which I prefer). Now when I need something wider than the 21 I grab the CV 15 Heliar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted April 12, 2013 Share #15 Posted April 12, 2013 thanks all ..... i went down to the camera store and tried the zeiss and leica, wanted 18 over 21, had 21 and traded it in for a 28 elmarit and it is more than fine. anyway, i tried both and decided i liked the shots and the feel of the leica better so i bought at. just took some shots tonight on the way home and i really like this fov more than the 21. just opinion. anyway, here is a shot of a shake shake in madison sq park. converted to b&w because i like it better for this shot, but trust me the colors are fantastic! very happy with this lens, looks like it is going to be fun. Hello guest! Please register or sign in to view the hidden content. Hallo Gast! Du willst die Bilder sehen? Einfach registrieren oder anmelden! jcatral14 and stevesurf 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted April 12, 2013 Share #16 Posted April 12, 2013 I sold the 18SEM as for me it was just too close in look to the 21SEM (which I prefer). Now when I need something wider than the 21 I grab the CV 15 Heliar. Now that's a thought. Instead of upgrading from the CV21 to the SEM 21, is to purchase the Heliar 15. Gives me anther lens choice. Would corner fix be needed for all shots? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted April 12, 2013 Share #17 Posted April 12, 2013 here is another shot, uncropped, unmanipulated, only wb has been adjusted -- Hello guest! Please register or sign in to view the hidden content. Hallo Gast! Du willst die Bilder sehen? Einfach registrieren oder anmelden! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted April 12, 2013 Share #18 Posted April 12, 2013 thanks all ..... i went down to the camera store and tried the zeiss and leica, wanted 18 over 21, had 21 and traded it in for a 28 elmarit and it is more than fine. anyway, i tried both and decided i liked the shots and the feel of the leica better so i bought at. So SBlitz, you bought a 28 Elmarit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted April 12, 2013 The 18mm SEM may well be my next lens, I think I might take my 21 along to Mayfair and do a little comparison Hello guest! Please register or sign in to view the hidden content. Hallo Gast! Du willst die Bilder sehen? Einfach registrieren oder anmelden! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted April 12, 2013 Share #20 Posted April 12, 2013 Yes I did. I appreciate the 28 summicron but at the time it worked well money wise with the swap with 21. Also liked the tiny size of the elmarit. Wonderful lens Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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