21mm lens for the M240 - any thoughts?

[james.liam]

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I have 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH and compared it with the new Super-Elmarit, and 2.8 seemed superior but downside is that its way more expensive than f/3.4 even in used condition.

 

Don't believe that's correct.

A quick check on the 21 Elmarit ASPH used: ~$2100, 21 SEM new hovering around $2500. The Elmarit ASPH stayed around $3k used until the SEM appeared. 

 

 Downside of super-elmarit is that its more prone to flare than Zeiss which i think this is the case for all leica vs zeiss. I had Zeiss21 with a T* filter it had less flare than Naked super-elmarit!! with a good professional hood you can solve this problem.

 

Not been my experience with the SEM. Quite the contrary; one of the most flare-resistent lenses I've used, even shot into the sun

 

for critical Architecture I would go for Leica always, if this is not your case save money and get Zeiss.

 

Why do you say that? Both the Leica and Zeiss have very comparable and exceedingly minimal distortion. Only the ZM 21 C has less.

[Herr Barnack]

I've just fallen in love with the SEM 21 f3.4.  It's so compact and light and renders BEAUTIFULLY.  I'm still re-engaging with 21mm - for a long time I've shot 28mm at the widest, but with this lens I can see myself using this FL a great deal more.

COLOUR renders here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskHKTBmy

B&W renders here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskHKTJub

 

I'd recommend!

 

I ended up getting the 21/3.4 SEM and am extremely pleased with it.  Image quality is outstanding.  While f/3.4 is a little slow footed for shooting indoors in low light, it is plenty of speed for outdoor work.  Indoors in low light is doable if you go up to higher ISO settings (1600 to 3200 with the M 240) and use a monopod.  Many people detest tripods, but I would say do not overlook the monopod.  It can give you +2 EV easily and +3 EV if you brace against something solid and it is much less cumbersome than a tripod.

 

So now my wide kit consists of 21/3.4, 28/2.8 and 35/2.  Life is good!!