Difference between Elmarit 2,8/21mm and Super Elmarit 3,4/21mm

[Ach Wat]

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Hello,

 

can anyone tell me about the difference of the captioned two lenses ? Why did Leica decide to come up with a lower maximum aperture ? 

 

Regards

 

Rolf

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[dpitt]

I suppose you refer to the latest ASPH lenses? 

 

In fact there was an older non-ASPH version of the F2.8 Elmarit 21mm as well.

 

A good start to read up on the differences is the Leica Wiki:

2.8_Elmarit_M

2.8_ASPH_Elmarit-M

3.4_ASPH_Super-Elmar-M

 

There is also the first version, Super Angulon 21mm. Great lens, but useless on the full frame digital bodies because of heavy color cast in the corners. (caused by the extremely small distance to the sensor of the rear element)

21mm_f3.4_Super-Angulon

[fotomas]

I did a comparison a while ago.
Wonder if it might be worth buying the new one, since I already own the 2,8/21 Elmarit ASPH.
Differences where minor. The old one was a bit softer at the corners wide open. Stopped down they perform almost the same.
So I was happy to keep my old one, since I use it often with 2,8. And also no hassle with a different filter size.

If you buy new, the smaller size of the Super-Elmar might be a point, if you can live with 3.4.

 

 

[MaticB]

Here you have answers on many Leica lens questions...

 

http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/styled-37/

 

Matic

[Ach Wat]

Thanks to you all for your feedback