MontuckyLow Posted September 18, 2022 Share #1 Posted September 18, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just ordered the M10M. I have a 50 Summilux ASPH currently. I’m looking for the sharpest lens out there for strict monochrom landscape work. I don’t need a fast lens for this work. The preferred focal lengths I’m interested in are 21, 28, or 35 mm. Thank you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted September 18, 2022 Share #2 Posted September 18, 2022 My suggestion "KIT" https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/21mm_f/3.4_ASPH_Super-Elmar-M https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm_f/2.8_ASPH_Elmarit-M https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/35mm_f/2_ASPH_Summicron-M or if it was me, sharpness is secondary, but very friendly to carry and change field on the go 😇 https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm-35mm-50mm_f/4_ASPH_Tri-Elmar-M abphoto, rtai and rpsawin 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted September 18, 2022 Share #3 Posted September 18, 2022 21mm Super Elmar-M f3.4. Typical result below, lots more examples here. (on my Flickr page) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! didier, rtai, RexGig0 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/336671-sharpest-lens-for-m10m-landscapes/?do=findComment&comment=4511925'>More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted September 18, 2022 Share #4 Posted September 18, 2022 The legends are written about 21 SEM... but do test out the 24/3.8 Elmar ASPH as well. Dennis, Joakim, RexGig0 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejg1890 Posted September 18, 2022 Share #5 Posted September 18, 2022 43 minutes ago, a.noctilux said: or if it was me, sharpness is secondary, but very friendly to carry and change field on the go 😇 https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm-35mm-50mm_f/4_ASPH_Tri-Elmar-M I agree with the above statement. Rather than go for a technically sharp lens go for something with “character”. Both Leica and Voightlander offer 1.4/1.5 lenses, usually pre-asph, that have character when shot open, but by f/4 they are as sharp as other lenses. For myself I have the Leica Summilux pre-asph 35mm, along with several Voigtlander 1.4/1.5 35mm-50mm lenses. At 1.4/1.5 they are soft but offer the “glow” but by f/4 they are as good/sharp as any other lens. Personnaly for me too many lenses and discussions are around the “perfectly” sharp lens. These to me are stale looking and lack character. Today pixel peepers would tear Ansel Adams and HCB apart for lack of sharpness, blown out high lights and loss of details in shadows. Again this is me, but each need to develop their own style. frame-it 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didier Posted September 18, 2022 Share #6 Posted September 18, 2022 28 minutes ago, Al Brown said: The legends are written about 21 SEM... but do test out the 24/3.8 Elmar ASPH as well. +1 I don’t own the 21 SEM, but I can testify the Elmar 24 is a great lens : tack sharp, can be used without an additional finder, and has virtually no distorsion. Erato, RexGig0 and jcm0 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtai Posted September 18, 2022 Share #7 Posted September 18, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I own the 21mm SEM and it’s reputation is well earned. I had the 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M and it’s bitingly sharp. I shot a few rolls with the 28mm Elmarit-M Asph V1 and it’s very sharp and high contrast. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontuckyLow Posted September 18, 2022 Author Share #8 Posted September 18, 2022 47 minutes ago, Keith (M) said: 21mm Super Elmar-M f3.4. Typical result below, lots more examples here. (on my Flickr page) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The 21 SEM is something I’ve always wanted to try. It’s at the top of the list! Thank you Keith (M) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontuckyLow Posted September 18, 2022 Author Share #9 Posted September 18, 2022 1 hour ago, a.noctilux said: My suggestion "KIT" https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/21mm_f/3.4_ASPH_Super-Elmar-M https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm_f/2.8_ASPH_Elmarit-M https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/35mm_f/2_ASPH_Summicron-M or if it was me, sharpness is secondary, but very friendly to carry and change field on the go 😇 https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/28mm-35mm-50mm_f/4_ASPH_Tri-Elmar-M Thank you! I’ve rented the 28 Elmarit before… loved its size and rendering on film! I think I should give it another go on the m10m. rpsawin 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budjames Posted September 18, 2022 Share #10 Posted September 18, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, MontuckyLow said: I just ordered the M10M. I have a 50 Summilux ASPH currently. I’m looking for the sharpest lens out there for strict monochrom landscape work. I don’t need a fast lens for this work. The preferred focal lengths I’m interested in are 21, 28, or 35 mm. Thank you! I own the APO Summicron 35mm. It’s the sharpest lens that I have ever owned. Great all around shooter’s lens. I traveled to Europe for a 3-1/2 weeks on vacation and this is the only lens that used on my M11. I had my APO Summcron 50mm with me, but never used it. For my next trip, I’m only taking the 35mm lens. Your problem will be getting one. They are very scarce. You might be able to rent one to try. Regards, Bud James Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography. Edited September 18, 2022 by budjames fotografr 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RexGig0 Posted September 18, 2022 Share #11 Posted September 18, 2022 (edited) When I have taken deep internet dives, into this very subject, I found plenty of praise for the 21mm SEM and the Elmar-M 24mm ASPH. I recently found a pristine, well-preserved Elmar-M 24mm ASPH, and was not disappointed. Actually, I liked it so much, that when another one, in similarly wonderful condition, was found to be available, I bought it, too. Knowing that no more of the Elmar-M 24mm ASPH are being made, I decided that the best form of “insurance” was a second lens. A similar quest, two or three years ago, for a really good 35mm lens, to be used for all purposes, led me to the Zeiss Distagon f/1,4 35mm ZM. The most-recently-introduced of the Zeiss ZM line, it is much more modern, than the other ZM lenses, designed to be used with high-resolution sensors. Lloyd Chambers really likes this one, and he is known for being a harsh critic of anything that does not work well, for him. Lens performance, for landscape shooting, is quite important to him. If one wishes to subscribe to his site, he includes the ZM lens reviews on his Leica pages, rather than the Zeiss pages. I did not buy the Zeiss Distagon f/1,4 35mm ZM lens because it was fast, but because it was sharp. This is another one that was so good, I bought a second one, though in this case, I tried a pre-owned sample of the black version first, to make sure I liked it, and later added the silver version, in the hope that it would absorb less heat from the harsh southern Texas sunlight. I then decided to keep both of them, so that I could use one on an M10, and one an M Type 246 Monochrom, at the same time. I was already acquainted with Zeiss SLR lenses, using the 135mm f/2 Sonnar APO, in both Canon and Nikon mounts, before I started using Leica M equipment, and added an Otus 85mm f/1.4, Nikon F mount, at the same time I bought into the Leica M system. (I scuttled plans to acquire a fast Nikon “super telephoto” lens, for seriously chasing birds, which freed the funds to buy a pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, a new M10, and the Zeiss Otus.) Edited September 18, 2022 by RexGig0 Sunyforreal 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontuckyLow Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share #12 Posted September 19, 2022 6 hours ago, RexGig0 said: When I have taken deep internet dives, into this very subject, I found plenty of praise for the 21mm SEM and the Elmar-M 24mm ASPH. I recently found a pristine, well-preserved Elmar-M 24mm ASPH, and was not disappointed. Actually, I liked it so much, that when another one, in similarly wonderful condition, was found to be available, I bought it, too. Knowing that no more of the Elmar-M 24mm ASPH are being made, I decided that the best form of “insurance” was a second lens. A similar quest, two or three years ago, for a really good 35mm lens, to be used for all purposes, led me to the Zeiss Distagon f/1,4 35mm ZM. The most-recently-introduced of the Zeiss ZM line, it is much more modern, than the other ZM lenses, designed to be used with high-resolution sensors. Lloyd Chambers really likes this one, and he is known for being a harsh critic of anything that does not work well, for him. Lens performance, for landscape shooting, is quite important to him. If one wishes to subscribe to his site, he includes the ZM lens reviews on his Leica pages, rather than the Zeiss pages. I did not buy the Zeiss Distagon f/1,4 35mm ZM lens because it was fast, but because it was sharp. This is another one that was so good, I bought a second one, though in this case, I tried a pre-owned sample of the black version first, to make sure I liked it, and later added the silver version, in the hope that it would absorb less heat from the harsh southern Texas sunlight. I then decided to keep both of them, so that I could use one on an M10, and one an M Type 246 Monochrom, at the same time. I was already acquainted with Zeiss SLR lenses, using the 135mm f/2 Sonnar APO, in both Canon and Nikon mounts, before I started using Leica M equipment, and added an Otus 85mm f/1.4, Nikon F mount, at the same time I bought into the Leica M system. (I scuttled plans to acquire a fast Nikon “super telephoto” lens, for seriously chasing birds, which freed the funds to buy a pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, a new M10, and the Zeiss Otus.) This is great information. I’m checking out Lloyd Chambers now… thank you! RexGig0 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abphoto Posted October 1, 2022 Share #13 Posted October 1, 2022 (edited) Another vote for the 24 2.8 Elmarit asph mentioned by a.noctilux. It is a wonderful lens. Puts thought it to be one of Leica's very best. I would agree. It is very sharp but that is usually never my first priority. And though it is insanely sharp it also renders beautifully. Edited October 1, 2022 by abphoto sometimesmaybe 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffreyg Posted October 9, 2022 Share #14 Posted October 9, 2022 Agree with much of the above. 21SEM is lovely, can't be faulted. Also love the 50 'cron ASPH. Less happy with 35 'cron ASPH, and replaced it with CV 35mm 2.5 Color Skopar. Did a test comparison between the two, and oddly, the little CV was better both wide open and at f8. The 'cron had some softness in mid-field. The CV needed some shimming for focus accuracy, but has a pop that just makes it a fave. So those three lenses are my kit, and could live with just any one . MontuckyLow 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted October 23, 2022 Share #15 Posted October 23, 2022 When using with care, most of new Leica M lenses, asph. lenses can do wonder on every kind of pictures. My trusty (very old/battered by use !) Elmarit-M 21mm asph. did well enough for me. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! seen here already on film, this lens is as nice M2, Neopan 400 M-A, 21 asph., Vista 200 Plus B&W converted RexGig0 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! seen here already on film, this lens is as nice M2, Neopan 400 M-A, 21 asph., Vista 200 Plus B&W converted ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/336671-sharpest-lens-for-m10m-landscapes/?do=findComment&comment=4542728'>More sharing options...
pedaes Posted October 23, 2022 Share #16 Posted October 23, 2022 On 9/18/2022 at 4:21 PM, MontuckyLow said: I’m looking for the sharpest lens out there for strict monochrom landscape work. Any lens at f8 will be plenty sharp. If you are looking for the sharpest image (as opposed to lens) you will of course need to use a sturdy tripod and remote release. fotografr, Chaemono, Jon Warwick and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivohula Posted November 22, 2022 Share #17 Posted November 22, 2022 How would the 21 Lux compare to the 21SEM at f5.6, 8, and f11? I know the Lux is softer wide open, but for landscape how does it compare stopped down? Anyone have both lenses? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likaleica Posted November 22, 2022 Share #18 Posted November 22, 2022 I use short telephotos, rather than wide angle lenses, for landscape. For me, the 75 apo and the 75 Summarit are both excellent lenses for landscape. RexGig0 and MaTiHH 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanydave Posted November 22, 2022 Share #19 Posted November 22, 2022 21mm SEM 👌 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camaro5 Posted January 21 Share #20 Posted January 21 I have an M 246 and sometimes use a 28 Elmarit 2.8 for landscapes. It's very sharp and distortion-free corner to corner. It can be shot wide open or stopped down and works very well with filters. The 28mm focal length is the widest you can go and still be within the frame lines without using an EVF. I bought mine new, model 11677. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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