LEICA 21...SEM 3,4 or ELMARIT 2,8 ASPH ?

[anrotil68]

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I have an M10P with 28 lux and 50 lux, I need a 21 mm and my choice will be between 21 SEM and 21 ELMARIT 2.8 ASPH. Perhaps it will also be used by a future M10M, for a new photographic project in environments such as cities, monuments, etc. so I have to take into account also id any colored filters for BW. I wanted to know if anyone had the opportunity to compare the 2 optics highlighting the pros and cons. I also have the EVF for M10P. Thank you

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[MarkP]

I wouldn't have thought it would be a difficult decision.

The SEM will produce images much more consistent with the more 'modern' look of 28 and 50 Summiluxes.   It is a stellar lens.
I would not be concerned about 2.8 vs 3.4 for such a wide lens.

 

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by MarkP

[Stealth3kpl]

Adan wrote a nice comparison of two or three 21mm lenses somewhere. He posted some enlightening colour rendering comparison shots from a couple of lenses. He settled on a 21 preasph elmarit because of its colour rendering (as well as having good sharpness and low distortion, I think). Have a search for threads on 21mm lenses.

Pete

[SiggiGun]

SEM is outstanding 

[james.liam]

7 hours ago, anrotil68 said:

I have an M10P with 28 lux and 50 lux, I need a 21 mm and my choice will be between 21 SEM and 21 ELMARIT 2.8 ASPH. Perhaps it will also be used by a future M10M, for a new photographic project in environments such as cities, monuments, etc. so I have to take into account also id any colored filters for BW. I wanted to know if anyone had the opportunity to compare the 2 optics highlighting the pros and cons. I also have the EVF for M10P. Thank you

Sounds like you will need as distortion-free a 21 as possible. 

There are NO alternatives to the SEM. It is peerless.

[anrotil68]

4 minutes ago, james.liam said:

Sounds like you will need as distortion-free a 21 as possible. 

There are NO alternatives to the SEM. It is peerless.

yes, distortion-free it's important form me. There is a lot different between 21SEM and 21 ELMARIT ASPH about distortion ?

I've tried only the SEM, but not the ELMARIT ASPH

[james.liam]

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13 minutes ago, anrotil68 said:

yes, distortion-free it's important form me. There is a lot different between 21SEM and 21 ELMARIT ASPH about distortion ?

I've tried only the SEM, but not the ELMARIT ASPH

If you're willing to spring 59€, Lloyd Chambers' Leica review has comparisons to the Elmarit, IIRC, as well as to the WATE and Summilux. Erwin Puts legacy site also discusses the SEM in context of its predecessor. The 21 was introduced along with the 18 and 24. The latter two are now discontinued and only the 21 SEM remains.

If you've used the SEM, the Elmarit may leave you disappointed.

[lct]

I have both lenses. The 21/3.4 asph has a bit more more acutance, especially at edges and corners, but is also less forgiving for portraits. Distortion looks similar. 6-bit coding does not correct for 100% red edges on my M240 but the 21/3.4 asph performs better in this respect. I understand the M10 does better at fixing red edges but i have no experience with it. Bottom line i prefer the 21/3.4 asph for general photography and the 21/2.8 asph for portraits at f/2.8 mainly but only on the digital CL as i don't do portraits with 21mm lenses on FF cameras. BTW the 21/2.8 asph feels significantly bulkier when using its detachable hood. FWIW.

[anrotil68]

25 minutes ago, lct said:

I have both lenses. The 21/3.4 asph has a bit more more acutance, especially at edges and corners, but is also less forgiving for portraits. Distortion looks similar. 6-bit coding does not correct for 100% red edges on my M240 but the 21/3.4 asph performs better in this respect. I understand the M10 does better at fixing red edges but i have no experience with it. Bottom line i prefer the 21/3.4 asph for general photography and the 21/2.8 asph for portraits at f/2.8 mainly but only on the digital CL as i don't do portraits with 21mm lenses on FF cameras. BTW the 21/2.8 asph feels significantly bulkier when using its detachable hood. FWIW.

for set portraits I have my 28 summilux or 50 summilux, the 21 will be used purely for landscapes, architecture on M10 or M10M, sometimes even on SL2.

[james.liam]

58 minutes ago, anrotil68 said:

for set portraits I have my 28 summilux or 50 summilux, the 21 will be used purely for landscapes, architecture on M10 or M10M, sometimes even on SL2.

Stick with what you tried first. Nothing, not the Zeiss offerings or earliier Leica 21s fit your bill.

Perhaps the new 3,5/21 Voigtländer could be an alternative to explore but I haven't tried that as yet.

[anrotil68]

1 hour ago, james.liam said:

Stick with what you tried first. Nothing, not the Zeiss offerings or earliier Leica 21s fit your bill.

Perhaps the new 3,5/21 Voigtländer could be an alternative to explore but I haven't tried that as yet.

I think so...the SEM it's the best choice

[lct]

2 hours ago, anrotil68 said:

for set portraits I have my 28 summilux or 50 summilux, the 21 will be used purely for landscapes, architecture on M10 or M10M, sometimes even on SL2.

Then aside from 21/1.4 and 21/1.8 lenses i have no experience with the 21/3.4 asph seems the way to go. The CV 21/3.5 is very good too but has more CA and its focus stick can be painful to use if you don't like that. 

[sebben]

The SEM is just a wonderful modern piece of glass. Compact with high performance. Everything the M should be.