AlexanderR Posted September 8, 2013 Share #21  Posted September 8, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Recently I tried two copies of the 21 SEM on my M9 and with both of them I was not fully convinced about the corner performance. At 100% a declining resolution from center to corners was visible. It was not terribly bad, but noticeable on 16x24 test prints. Also both copies showed some decentering (one of the corners worse than the others). What irritates me is that other users claim this lens is tack sharp into the corners. Different standards or smaller print sizes?  For comparison, my 24 EM Asph. shows non of the described effects. I am also wondering how to go wider.  The SEM 21 is not tack sharp in the corners when u take the center as a starting point (reference) (who does that?!?) . You dont even need to buy it to find out! Look at the MTF ... corners almost do NOT improve even when u close it down. What people should say is: For a 21mm lens the SEM 21 has sharp corners. It is just that this lens is so sharp in the center up untill 15mm on the FF-sensor that the 20% loss of resolution (according to MTF charts) in the last 5mm of the FF-sensor is very obvious... and 20% is a lot! But again this is because of people being spoiled by the extrenely high center resolution! Compare it to the 21 Elmarit and you will find that the SEM is so much sharper in the center and corners! Also the resolution loss in the corners starts much much earlier (closer to thee center) and is much much bigger but because it starts earlier it´s more gradual so its not as obvious when pixel peeping!  Decentering is a completely different issue which I test for on the same day I buy the lens. But one thing should be said: all lenses are decentered! The question is how much. I have had a copy of the 24 Elmar that was NOT accetable!  by the way what happaned to the decentered 21 SEMs did Leica fix them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 8, 2013 Posted September 8, 2013 Hi AlexanderR, Take a look here 21mm SEM vs WATE. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
newnew Posted September 8, 2013 Share #22 Â Posted September 8, 2013 No Issue with my SEM either. I have checked a lot of my summer pictures. It is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever seen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmitch6 Posted September 8, 2013 Share #23 Â Posted September 8, 2013 Same here but I will shoot some with my MM over the weekend. Â I'll echo Mark and Bill...I just reviewed my photos with the M9 and SEM and it's sharp across the frame. I'd service it then re-evaluate your thoughts on it. Best of luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted September 9, 2013 Share #24 Â Posted September 9, 2013 Same here. My images look good to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl G Posted September 10, 2013 Share #25 Â Posted September 10, 2013 Voted with my pocketbook. 21 SEM ordered. To be noted, this also means my 46mm filters that fit my 35 and 50 mm work with this lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted September 10, 2013 Share #26 Â Posted September 10, 2013 Voted with my pocketbook. 21 SEM ordered. To be noted, this also means my 46mm filters that fit my 35 and 50 mm work with this lens. Â Congrats. 46mm filters also work on the 24/3.8, 28/2 and 90 Elmarit-M just to mention a few more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted September 10, 2013 Share #27 Â Posted September 10, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) ... and also on Summarit-M 75 mm and Summarit-M 90 mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted September 16, 2013 Share #28 Â Posted September 16, 2013 I have WATE and 21/3.4 Â The big difference is in colour and contrast where the 21/3.4 wins hands down. Â .... but you can correct this in PP. Â I tend to take the 21/3.4 for general and particularly outdoor use. Â For indoors the choice of 3 focal lengths on the WATE is a great advantage...... Â If you forced me to choose only one it would, very regrettably, be the 21/3.4..... Â Luckily I have both Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted September 16, 2013 Share #29 Â Posted September 16, 2013 I've gone back and reviewed mine shot with the 3.4/21 SEM on the M9 and MM, and there is no corner softness. Â Mine ditto...... Â but I had an 18/3.8 that had similar problem over one part of the image wide open.... and it was exchanged. Inexplicably it was off centre on one side ....but the corners were not too bad. It was very obvious once noticed and looked for..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirekti Posted October 30, 2013 Share #30 Â Posted October 30, 2013 I have WATE and 21/3.4 Â If you get a chance, could you make some brick wall shots at f/4 with both lenses, please? I'd really like to pixel peep corners and centre of those two lenses as I plan on buying either or. Â Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 30, 2013 Share #31 Â Posted October 30, 2013 Watch out, as the mention of brick walls might put some I have in mind to sleep. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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