fotohuis Posted June 16, 2013 Share #1 Â Posted June 16, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) A lot of possibilities: Â I can get: A Leica Elmarit 2,8/21mm for eur. 600,- second hand in mint condition. A new Zeiss 4,5/21mm for eur. 750,- A new Zeiss 2,8/21mm for eur. 950,- A new C.V. 4,0/21mm for eur. 400,- A new C.V. 1,8/21mm for eur. 950,- Â Looking at the distortion that small Zeiss 4,5/21mm is amazing. But F/4,5 only. So going for the F/2,8 Zeiss or for less money a Leica Elmarit 2,8/21mm (a non asferical version from 1991). Â Going for an asferical Leica version or the new Elmar F/3,4 is out of range now. Â The pros and cons please. And what to do with the 21mm view finder? I have already a C.V. SWH F/4,5-15mm-M with V.F. Maybe sell the V.F. and get the 15-35mm zoom version of C.V. Â Too many choices ....... and all reviews for these lenses are OK but for on film the small Zeiss seems to be amazing good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 16, 2013 Posted June 16, 2013 Hi fotohuis, Take a look here Which 21mm on my M7. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ronazle Posted June 16, 2013 Share #2 Â Posted June 16, 2013 I have and use the Zeiss 21mm 4.5. It is an amazing lens and a great buy. Do note that it may be a little difficult to use with digital M's. However, with cornerfix applied intelligently it is still superb (even on the M9). The small size and weight is a big plus. My first preference for a very wide lens is the Zeiss 18mm f:4.5; of course it is a little more specialized than is the 21mm. regards, ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted June 17, 2013 Share #3 Â Posted June 17, 2013 I'm going through a similar decision-making process and have nailed down my options to the Elmarit 2.8 and the Ultron. I'm leaning towards the latter, as large as it is, due to its low-light capability. Tom Abrahamsson reviewed it (on film mainly) recently in the LHSA Viewfinder (Cameraquest also has a piece by him on it which you've probably seen). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted June 17, 2013 Share #4 Â Posted June 17, 2013 The best 21mm for the money is definitely the Voigtlander f/4 Â I would suggest to buy one to compare the rest against, you can always sell it again... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Verrips Posted June 17, 2013 Share #5  Posted June 17, 2013 Maybe this can give you some help: Leica FAQ — 21mm lenses  The CV Skopar 21/4 will not fit a digital M, in case you own or want to buy a digital M in the future. Though it's a beautiful tiny lens!  What about filter size, compared to your other lenses for M? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotohuis Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share #6 Â Posted June 17, 2013 My filter sizes are 39mm and 46mm. And I can get an extra discount on the Zeiss products. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Verrips Posted June 17, 2013 Share #7 Â Posted June 17, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) So filter size makes no benefit for one of the lenses you mentioned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-ph- Posted June 17, 2013 Share #8  Posted June 17, 2013 Maybe this can give you some help: Leica FAQ — 21mm lenses The CV Skopar 21/4 will not fit a digital M, in case you own or want to buy a digital M in the future. Though it's a beautiful tiny lens!  What about filter size, compared to your other lenses for M?  I have used the CV 21/4 on my M9, why shouldn't it fit a digital M?  Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gberger Posted June 17, 2013 Share #9 Â Posted June 17, 2013 I have the Zeiss 21mm f2.8 and the Zeiss 21mm viewfinder. Keeping both! The 46mm filter helps. I shoot color transparencies for projection. This lens is excellent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted June 17, 2013 Share #10 Â Posted June 17, 2013 ...The CV Skopar 21/4 will not fit a digital M, in case you own or want to buy a digital M in the future. ... Â Not true, it works on all digital Leica M and extremely well especially on M8 due to the crop 1.33 Â If it's the old LTM version, like the one I have, you just buy a 6-bit coded LTM to Leica M adapter with 21mm framelines. On an M8u the field of view corresponds pretty well with the 'whole viewfinder' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted June 17, 2013 Share #11 Â Posted June 17, 2013 I find the Skopar 21 f4 works well enough for me on the M9, as long as I keep the ISO at 160 (where it can correct edges the best) and set coding to 21 2.8. If I shoot a totally white wall I can see a very slight hue on one edge, but for normal pictures I never notice it. As little as I use a 21 it is fine, and tiny to keep in the bag for when I need it. I also use it on my film Ms, where of course there are no issues. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted June 17, 2013 Share #12 Â Posted June 17, 2013 I have coded mine 21mm f/4 Voigtlander as an Leica M 21mm 3.4 Asph for use with UV/IR filters. See this thread with more codes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted June 17, 2013 Share #13 Â Posted June 17, 2013 Personally I adore the pre-ASPH 21 Elmarit. The first lens I got when I got into Leica-M 12 years ago, and I've never felt the need to bother with anything else. Does need coding corrections (also the first lens I had Leica code for me). Â Most of the "wide" images in my online magazine are with that lens. Â Your 15mm C/V viewfinder will actually work OK as a 21 finder - at least to start with. Just back your eye away from the finder an inch or so and it will be "cropped" to a fair 21mm field of view - or at least as accurate a view as a "real" 21 finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted June 20, 2013 Share #14 Â Posted June 20, 2013 Zeiss 2.8/21 is superb, as is the finder. Why? Excellent resolution, contrast, and build quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotohuis Posted June 20, 2013 Author Share #15 Â Posted June 20, 2013 Thanks for all responses. Tomorrow I will take a decision. Â Best regards, Â Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
henning Posted June 20, 2013 Share #16  Posted June 20, 2013 I have 4 Leica lenses of 21mm focal length at present, have had 3 others and used numerous 21's of other makes.  If I got only one 21 right now, I would first have to decide whether I could live with the size of the 21/1.8 CV. If I could, that would be the one I would get.  If I shot only film, I would be sorely tempted by the 21/4.5 Biogon. On digital, it's too much trouble and gives less than satisfactory results.  On digital, if I wanted a really small lens, there is only one choice: the 21/4CV. It's OK, but is not as good as the 21/1.8CV and tends to have greater sample variability as well. Cosina have tightened up their quality control apparently, and also the overall mechanical quality of the lenses seems to have improved.  As a compromise, the 21/2.8 ZM lens is both excellent, not too large and reasonably bright.  Btw, the Leica lenses I have at the moment are the 21/3.4SA, the 21/2.8 ASPH, the WA Tri-Elmar and the 21 Summilux. The 21/1.8CV is neck and neck with the Summilux at equivalent apertures, and has less light falloff. I'm happy with the Summilux, but would not buy it now with the CV out - it's that good. I've had and still have a number of CV lenses, including the 21/4 in screw mount, but the 21/1.8 is the most compelling  Henning Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted June 21, 2013 Share #17  Posted June 21, 2013 21mm f1.8 CV on the M9. Coded as a 28mm Elmarit type IV. Processed straight out of Lightroom with no cornerfix or Photoshop.  L1006830.jpg by Flash Gordon Photography, on Flickr  I also have the CV f4 version and the 1.8 is significantly better in all respects. Better corner sharpness, less vignetting and no need for cornerfix. Even though the 21mm 1.8 is huge for a M lens (same size as the 35mm 1.2) I still carry it in preference to the tiny f4 Skopar.  I have no experience with the Leica versions. But I have absolutely no complaints with the CV 21mm f1.8.  Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted June 21, 2013 Share #18  Posted June 21, 2013 And one shot wide open. CV 21mm f1.8 Ultron on M9  L1006836.jpg by Flash Gordon Photography, on Flickr  Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotohuis Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share #19 Â Posted June 21, 2013 At the end I decided for the Leica Elmarit 2,8/21mm. The view finder 21mm was included. Same for the lens hood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted June 23, 2013 Share #20 Â Posted June 23, 2013 At the end I decided for the Leica Elmarit 2,8/21mm. The view finder 21mm was included. Same for the lens hood. Â great choice! my all time favourite lens. beautifully constructed with a lot of character! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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