Wide choice?

[satureyes]

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So.. good people.. I have the option of changing my 21 Super Elmar (latest version) for a mint (used) 18mm Super Elmar

 

For almost the same cost as a new 12mm Voigtlander.

 

I want wide - but I hear mixed reports of the Voigtlander and hassles of colour correction/shifts

 

Thoughts on the 18mm against the 21mm please?

 

trying to see a comparison of FL somewhere online too.

 

R

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[sblitz]

i had the 21mm zeiss biogon, great lens but didn't enjoy 21 and swapped it for a 28mm elmarit, much more practical. recently purchased an 18mm sem, new, figuring if i am going to shoot wide i should shoot wide. GREAT LENS! Still learning, but capable of man interesting perspectives and wide enough from 21mm to make it distinctively different. prefer it to the 21mm, now i have 18,28,35,50,75, and 135. covers the bases and then some. anyway, 18 is a very interesting and fun wide to use

[satureyes]

i had the 21mm zeiss biogon, great lens but didn't enjoy 21 and swapped it for a 28mm elmarit, much more practical. recently purchased an 18mm sem, new, figuring if i am going to shoot wide i should shoot wide. GREAT LENS! Still learning, but capable of man interesting perspectives and wide enough from 21mm to make it distinctively different. prefer it to the 21mm, now i have 18,28,35,50,75, and 135. covers the bases and then some. anyway, 18 is a very interesting and fun wide to use

 

Thanks Steve - Have you ever considered the CV 12/15. For the cost to change from the 21 SEM it would roughly be the same as buying a new CV12mm so I'd have both the 21 and the 12..

 

I do like keeping my lens collection Leica only.. but 12mm looks fabulous. Not sure I can be bothered with the colour corrections though.

[jdlaing]

I chose the WATE.

[k-hawinkler]

I chose the WATE.

 

 

I did as well. Very nice lens.

Also useful on NEX and OMD.

[RobertJRB]

I have the 18 SEM and was thinking about swapping it for the 21 SEM because it fits my 28 cron better, and also shares 46mm filters. Beside I have read the 21 SEM is a little better optically, mainly in the corners wide open.

 

Further the 18 SEM has some extra flaws like 77mm filters which u need a extra ring for to use and its price. Its more expensive than the 21 SEM, especially when u consider the 77mm filter ring.

 

Also what makes it more expensive is the finder (M9 only). There are lots of old 21mm finders out there which work perfectly and can be found for a really nice prices.

 

There are only 2 leica 18mm finders and one zeiss. Both leica's (18 metal and frankenfinder) are quite expensive. The zeiss is really nice and good but also quite big (and doesn't come in its own box which I find a real disadvantage since my finders are most of the time in the bag where some extra protection is pleasant.

 

 

But, 18mm is quite a bit wider than 21mm. And I love the pictures the 18mm gives me.

So at the end I decided to keep the 18. Hoping leica will introduce the rumored 14mm SEM.

 

If u are looking for just that extra wide angle the 18 SEM is a great option. Its an extremely good lens.

But keep in mind it comes with a cost. 77mm filters and an expensive view finder (not an issue on the M240)

 

If u want really wide but no voightlander the WATE (16-18-21 tri elmar) might be a good option, its good but isn't as good as both the 18 or 21 elmar.

 

Another option is the 15/2.8 Zeiss ZM. Really expensive lens, and not rangefinder coupled. But a stunning performer and build to last (build in germany, at a higher grade than the other ZM's)

[jdlaing]

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I did as well. Very nice lens.

Also useful on NEX and OMD.

 

I hadn't tried it on my OMD yet! I shall............

[k-hawinkler]

I hadn't tried it on my OMD yet! I shall............

 

 

You may have a look here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2328899-post5.html

 

Handheld, 1/3s, OOC JPG, shot with Leica WATE 16-18-21/4 M lens on OM-D E-M5.

IBIS works as well.

[jdlaing]

You may have a look here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2328899-post5.html

 

Handheld, 1/3s, OOC JPG, shot with Leica WATE 16-18-21/4 M lens on OM-D E-M5.

IBIS works as well.

 

LIB !

Focusing is not for the faint of heart tho.............

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[sblitz]

I use the 15mm voight viewfinder. Works good enough

[billo101]

21SE for any M, instead C-Biogon for MM.

[Zhanming12]

Why not get the Zeiss 18mm f4 Distagon instead? Cheap 58mm filters, and you can almost stack 2 without vignetting. It's also a solid performer at any aperture, build quality is definitely not on par with Leica lenses, but probably better than Voigtlander M.

[satureyes]

Why not get the Zeiss 18mm f4 Distagon instead? Cheap 58mm filters, and you can almost stack 2 without vignetting. It's also a solid performer at any aperture, build quality is definitely not on par with Leica lenses, but probably better than Voigtlander M.

 

I dont think I need an 18 and 21.. there has to be a bigger gap between FL's.

 

I think I will keep the 21SE because optically it's amazing.. and it seems better than the 18SE. I think it's silly to trade in a new 21SE for a used 18SE and pay £550.

 

For around £580 I could get the 12mm CV 5.6 and keep my 21.. so it would be a good addition. If i bought the 18SE I don't think I'd then get the 12..

 

Ultimately I want the WATE but I would have to suppliment the cost to the tune of £2500 and for that I would rather invest it in either another body or the 50 'lux.

[rramesh]

The 21 SEM is fantastic and I have not read a bad review. (If and when I can afford it I will buy it.) Why not look at the rest of your lens kit and maybe you could use your funds to upgrade something else?