24MM, 1.4 and 3.8

[Peter H]

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Thanks Mark. I'll do that.

[jrp]

Here's an Erwin Puts review of the slower lens, compared with its predecessor.

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20110903152223/http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/24mm/comp24.html

[robert-gregory]

I was really tempted by the 24 Lux to use with an M8 and its crop factor for a fast ‘semi-wide’ lens. But it seemed a shame not to be able to use its full wide potential (I have liked the 24 focal length since the 24R) and with the M9 and a project in the works I finally bought one a couple years ago.

 

I’ve had a 24 Elmarit-M in the past and tried the 24 Elmar (nice and compact), both very good lenses but just a bit slow for my needs. The 24 Lux is a perfect wide lens in many ways. I consider it one of the best in the modern line-up of Leica lenses. The combination of wide and speed can be very useful of course. Exceptionally well made, solid, and with very smooth action focus and aperture rings. It may be large in size, but not over-whelming, is well balanced on the camera, and fits in the hand nicely. The weight helps with slower shutter speeds. Optically its really amazing. Very sharp at all apertures, and the contrast is a bit ‘tamer’ [which I like] than the very high contrast of some modern ASPH lenses. With the M9 and its not so high usable ISO the f/1.4 really helps, and even though its a 24 with extended depth of field it is possible to isolate the subject in closer/mid focus areas (subjective, but nice even diffused bokeh).

 

It is a bit of an investment though. If you can get by with a slower Elmar it saves a lot of cash. The Elmar is very well corrected optically, but I feel the 24 Lux has a special look and useful speed.

[jrp]

Here is a vivid illustration of the field curvature point LensRentals.com - Just the Lenses: Sigma 24 f/1.4 Art Comparison