Leica M8 and the 21 Super Angulon -- To IR or Not to IR

[southerncross6]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello everyone

 

I am a newcomer to both Leica and this forum. So Hi Everybody

 

I just bought a good looking piece of 21mm Super Angulon. I chose this version as I am building a pint sized Leica lens setup. Besides it looks SO GOOD on the M8

 

Alas, Leica does not have a coding for 21 SA, so I am facing the dilemma of whether to use UV/IR filters on it. Here are the pros and cons

 

No filter: I risk magenta casts. I know there are custom profiles for Capture One available that cuts magenta casts, however they are going to affect the overall color casts. This is my current solution, but I really don't feel too comfortable about it.

 

Filter: No coding probably means vignetting for such a wide angle. I don't know how much. Does anyone have any sample pictures? Are there any remedies to it?

 

I am still waiting for the free 49mm Leica UV/IR to come in, and as I read from this forum, it is not an easy wait. B&H has a special order for B+W 48mm 486 for $100. I am probably going to get it, but I want to hear from more experienced people first.

 

Can anyone care to give your advices, opinions, educated guesses? I would love to hear them all

[MP3]

Congratulation Siyang, you got one of the very best 21 of all time. A lens at its time can rival the classic CZ 21 Biogon. On M8, the vignetting caused by SA21 will surely improve as the extreme corners are cropped. The closest focusing down to 0.4m also gives some useful dramatic view.

 

With M8, I'll never satisfly with unfiltered colors, they are just contaminated. Though you may work quite well on B&W without filters. The B&W tones from this lens is unsurpassed.

 

The B+W e48 UV-IR filter should be ideal, however, the cyan drift will be serious upto 1/3 from both side edges. More wide, more wide spread cyan, and it is a 21.

 

If you cannot get your SA21's rear lens flange (or a spare one from Leica, I doubt whether they still supply it) to John Milich to do the 6-bit milling, you will have to batch process your images with Cornerfix by Sandy. You can easily do a forum search and find the links.

 

With SA21 on M8, you will need to dial in at least -3 EV for AE, and it is not always correct. So get a gossin six meter.