ZM c-biogon 21/4.5 on MM

[RobertJRB]

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I am very curious about the ZM 21mm f/4.5 c-biogon. The very small size, almost no distortion, low price compared to the SEM and good sharpness make it seem like a real winner.

 

As I have switched from M9p to MM color shift is no problem any more and I started thinking about the C biogon again.

 

 

Does anyone have experience with this lens? How is it compared to the 21 SEM? And especially, how does it perform on the monochrom? Are the problems over or does it still has some left on the digital sensor?

And last, as I have a 18 SEM, how do they compare? Is 18 with 21 overkill and would I better go for a 24 instead?

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[derleicaman]

Hello Robert,

 

I had the 21/4.5 ZM for a bit, but it was just too much effort to use with cornerfix, so I moved it on. Should have no problems with the MM, though. The 18 SEM is a wonderful lens, which I recently reviewed for the LHSA Viewfinder. I have the ZM 18 and it is a great lens, too. 18 and 21 are close but certainly not that similar. More different than you would think. The 21 is easier to use than the 18 as far as lining things up properly, but you can fix these things with Lightroom. I have a 21 Color Skopar which works just fine for me for now. I have toyed with getting a nice used 21/2.8 ASPH, but so far have not pulled the trigger on one. I would go with the 25 ZM. I have one. It is a great lens and optically almost perfect. Fantastic lens for the price. It would give more spacing from the 18 than the 21.

 

Hope this helps.

[swiss leica fan]

Dear Leicaman.

Can you also comment on how the VC 21 Color Scopar performs on the M240? On the M9 it is said to have massive color shifts in the corners. I wonder how the situation is with the M240 as I heard rumors it should be not that extreme.

Kind regards

Andreas