Vario-elmar 21-35mm lens for landscapes and cityscapes

[ellisson]

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As a new R8 owner, I'm looking for a wide angle lens for landscape and cityscape work.  I have 35mm length covered on a 35-70 f4 zoom, and the results are excellent.   For a wider perspective, I am considering the vario-elmar 21-35mm lens, mainly for the flexibility in focal length.  I understand that this is larger than the R-elmarit primes, and a stop slower, too.   At least half my shooting is on a tripod, and much of the rest in daylight.   Are members happy with this lens and its handling on the R8?

[masjah]

It's a very good performer; better than several of the more elderly primes within its range (max aperture apart of course). Actually relatively compact too, for such a zoom. It sounds as if the more restricted maximum aperture wouldn't be a problem for you, so I really would go ahead.

[Tante Ilse]

I use it on my R9, the optical quality is excellent and on a R8/9 it feels very well balanced. And in comparison to the 28-90, which I also like very much. it is almost tiny.

[LeicaR10]

Ellisson,  The Vario-Elmar-R 21-35mm is a superb lens.  I use it with my SL for landscape photography.  Before that, I used it with my Leica R9 and DMR.  The images are crisp and color is excellent.  When stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8 images it will help create are amazing.  I consider it one of best wide angle zoom lenses produced by Leica.  It will also compliment your 35-70 f/4 lens as well.  Plus that lens is outstanding for landscape photography and one of my favorites.  That said, both lenses will make a great, light weight landscape photography kit.  r/ Mark

Edited October 20, 2017 by LeicaR10

[Leicaiste]

Ellisson, The Vario-Elmar-R 21-35mm is a superb lens. I use it with my SL for landscape photography. Before that, I used it with my Leica R9 and DMR. The images are crisp and color is excellent. When stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8 images it will help create are amazing. I consider it one of best wide angle zoom lenses produced by Leica.

Exactly the same as my experience.

[ellisson]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience with this lens!  

 

This lens sounds great for my shooting, mostly done at f5.6-f8.  I'm new to the R8, but I really like the ergonomics of this camera with the 35-70mm lens.  I was very happy with results of my first two rolls of black and white film with this kit on a recent farmland outing.  I like the wider perspective too, so I'll go for this lens and try some color as the autumn season is here!   I'm located just outside of Philadelphia, and the leaves are just now changing.  There is a trail close by the city known as the Wissahickon Valley Trail with great scenery this time of year.  Should be fun!   

[nikau]

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I had access to one of those lenses and used it quite often on my R7 and R8. Agree with everything the others said about it. The only reason I never bought one was that I had several primes, including the second version of the 19mm, covering the same general range. Add it with confidence!

[Leicaiste]

I had access to one of those lenses and used it quite often on my R7 and R8. Agree with everything the others said about it. The only reason I never bought one was that I had several primes, including the second version of the 19mm, covering the same general range.

I have both the 19v2 and the 21-35. The main advantage of the Vario is the ability to mount filters.

 

Which on film is the easiest way to achieve evenly lit landscapes.

Edited October 21, 2017 by Leicaiste

[Guest]

In case you also use an M: the Konica M 21-35mm (if you can find one, in good condition) is an outstanding performer.

[masjah]

I have both the 19v2 and the 21-35. The main advantage of the Vario is the ability to mount filters.

 

Which on film is the easiest way to achieve evenly lit landscapes.

 

 

On the subject of filters, I am of the school that likes to keep a protective filter on their lenses. To be on the safe side, I use the B+W slimline filter on this lens, to minimise any risk of vignetting at the wide end, which seems fine. The minor drawback is that the original Leica clip on lens cap then won't fit, because the inside of the front of the filter is too narrow and unthreaded (that's partly how it's slimline of course). But it's no great problem because you get a push-on lens cap with the slimline filter.

[ellisson]

On the subject of filters, I am of the school that likes to keep a protective filter on their lenses. To be on the safe side, I use the B+W slimline filter on this lens, to minimise any risk of vignetting at the wide end, which seems fine. The minor drawback is that the original Leica clip on lens cap then won't fit, because the inside of the front of the filter is too narrow and unthreaded (that's partly how it's slimline of course). But it's no great problem because you get a push-on lens cap with the slimline filter.

 

 

I need to go through my filter collection and see what I have in the 67mm size.  I'm almost certain I have some that I bought for longer focal length lenses - UV/protective and some B&W filters, but I doubt they will be slimline.  I'll try one on the 21-35 lens and see if vignetting occurs at 21mm, but I suspect it will!      

[jip]

The 21-35 is amazing, a really stunning lens! Great together with the 35-70... it's all you really need!  

[tritentrue]

On the subject of filters, I am of the school that likes to keep a protective filter on their lenses. To be on the safe side, I use the B+W slimline filter on this lens, to minimise any risk of vignetting at the wide end, which seems fine. The minor drawback is that the original Leica clip on lens cap then won't fit, because the inside of the front of the filter is too narrow and unthreaded (that's partly how it's slimline of course). But it's no great problem because you get a push-on lens cap with the slimline filter.

 

I use a Leica 67mm UVA (13386) on mine and it doesn't vignette.  The original cap fits securely.

[Bobitybob]

I like mine very much, versatile and not to heavy/large I use it on my R cameras and my SL.  Only problem I have found is that it does have a habit of flaring if you get anywhere near the sun.  I've always used it with a UV filter and occasionally a CP, not sure if this is causing the flare or if it's just my particular copy.

 

Hope that's helpful.

[ellisson]

I'll use a Leica 13386 for protection.  For landscape shooting, I'd like to be able to use a Lee Filters 67mm adapter ring with rectangular filter holder for other filters.  This may cause vignetting at 21 mm, even if I removed the UV/protection filter first.  The circular threading ridge on the 67mm adapter to go inside the receiving threads of lens is about 2 mm wide (extending from the tread plane, radially) and 3mm deep along the lens axis.  No problems once past the adapter - the filters are 4 inches wide. 

 

It would be nice if I could use this holder at some focal lengths on the 21-35 lens - I have so many rectangular filters!   

Other solution:  I'll be the filter holder.  On a tripod with cable release, just hold rectangular filter close to the lens. 

Edited October 22, 2017 by ellisson

[Leicaiste]

I use mine with LEE Filters 100 mm system using the LEE wide angle adapter. No problem.

[ellisson]

I use mine with LEE Filters 100 mm system using the LEE wide angle adapter. No problem.

 

 

Got it!  I have the LEE 77 wide angle adapter and a 67 to 77 step-up ring.  Assembled, this is very, very thin in the 67mm width!

[ph.]

I only use it for snapshots on my Canon 5II. Had to file off a little bit of it so as to reach infinity without crashing the mirror, but it works lperfectly. Long time since I used my R9 with it, but it do not expect it to disappoint.

 

p.

[Per P.]

I have been very happy with mine on the SL and would recommend it.

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[Keith (M)]

The 21-35mm Vario is a 'ROM' lens - are ROM lenses backwardly compatible with earlier R cameras?  I am contemplating buying one for use with my R5.  My copy of J. Eastland's 'R Compendium' predates the introduction of the contacts on the lens.