Wider than 35mm

[idusidusi]

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38 minutes ago, harmen said:

If precise framing is not too important to you I can also recommend 21mm without an EVF or other external viewfinder.  I happily use 21mm with film and have yet to regret that I’m not sure what I’m getting until I see the results much later.

Thanks for your input. 

I zone focus quite often and so I may well be happy without the external viewfinder some of the time. In fact I have now ordered the 21mm. I have the 135mm too and some say both of these lenses in those mm need a viewfinder. I wonder what my own experience will be. I zone focus with the 135mm too. I also am happier with split-image focussing with the M11 than with any previous M. I had in the past M6, M10.

I am training myself not to continually test view images on the LCD after taking an image.

[Jeff S]

8 hours ago, idusidusi said:

I also am happier with split-image focussing with the M11 than with any previous M. I had in the past M6, M10.

 

The VF/RF specs are unchanged from the M10 to M11.

Jeff

[idusidusi]

1 hour ago, Jeff S said:

The VF/RF specs are unchanged from the M10 to M11.

Jeff

That's interesting, as I definitely get on with split image focussing better with the M11 and my eyes certainly have not improved.

[RexGig0]

 

[Jeff S]

29 minutes ago, idusidusi said:

That's interesting, as I definitely get on with split image focussing better with the M11 and my eyes certainly have not improved.

All the improvements from the M240 VF appeared in the M10 platform: larger diameter opening; increased magnification (.73x vs .68x); and better eye relief.  The M11 has many changes from the M10, but this is not one of them (at least nothing Leica has disclosed).

Jeff

[RexGig0]

On 3/31/2022 at 1:30 PM, idusidusi said:

True it is personal and varies with intended use. I can see the 21mm will be the final choice.

21mm is a good choice. There will be a learning curve, as one must take care to avoid human subjects being too near the edges of the frame, which is true of all wide-angle rectilinear lenses, and, if vertical lines are in the scene, one must keep the camera very level to avoid “keystoning” distortion. Of course, these distortions can be intentionally used creatively, and “keystoning” can be easily corrected in post. I was very tempted to buy a Leica Super Elmar-M 21mm lens, before April First, to beat the price hike, but I was side-tracked by the availability of a discontinued, pre-owned 24mm Elmar-M, and bought it, so, have decided to hang onto what was left of my discretionary funds, for a while. (Plus, I keep trying to decide what I would sell, or trade, to help me purchase a Summilux-M 21mm ASPH*, probably pre-owned, but, perhaps new, but I have yet to even see one of these rare birds, “in the wild.” 😉 )

Most of my 20mm to 22mm shooting has been with my DSLR equipment. (I did not add the Lieca M system until 2018.) The principles of keeping significant human subjects away from the edges, holding the camera level, for most images, and usually shooting at VERY close range, apply to all 35mm-format camera systems. I also learned to hold the camera high over human subjects, to capture downward-angle images of a gathering of people, such as when seated around a table, or gathered around a hospital/care home bed, which is using the distortion in a creative way. Notably, a straight-vertical downward angle, if practicable to do, will create image images with no “keystoning,” and can produce an image that is truly wonderful.

I did not mention it earlier, because I have only used it for black & white images, but I really do enjoy my Zeiss f/4,5 21mm C Biogon ZM lens, on a M Type 246 Monochrom. This lens produces color shift, on the color sensors of digital Leica M cameras, showing magenta along one edge, and cyan along the other, so, is best used on film Leicas, or Monochrom models, so, this individual lens is largely irrelevant for users of M9, M Type 240/262, and M10-series. Reports of the M11 being able to use the Leica 21mm Super-Angulon, without color shift, has tempted me to travel to a dedicated, boutique Leica Store, with my 21mm ZM, to see whether the M11 sensor is able to render images without color shift. I will not be able to do this, for at least the next four months, unless the nearby Houston Camera Exchange (HCE) happens to receive a demonstrator M11, or has a pre-owned M11 come into its inventory. (HCE is an official Leica dealer, but does not have the full line of new Leica equipment available, for demonstration purposes.)

*The more I learn about the Summilux-M 21mm ASPH, the more I think that I might rather possess one of these large gems, than any of the several generations and variants of the Noctilux 50mm.

Edited April 4, 2022 by RexGig0