Sharpest lens for M10M landscapes

[MontuckyLow]

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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! 

[a.noctilux]

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

[Keith (M)]

21mm Super Elmar-M f3.4.  Typical result below, lots more examples here. (on my Flickr page)

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[ejg1890]

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. 

[didier]

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.

[rtai]

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. 

[MontuckyLow]

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47 minutes ago, Keith (M) said:

21mm Super Elmar-M f3.4.  Typical result below, lots more examples here. (on my Flickr page)

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The 21 SEM is something I’ve always wanted to try. It’s at the top of the list! Thank you

[MontuckyLow]

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. 

[budjames]

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

[RexGig0]

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

[MontuckyLow]

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!

[abphoto]

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

[geoffreyg]

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 . 

[a.noctilux]

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.

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seen here already

 

on film, this lens is as nice

M2, Neopan 400

 

 

M-A, 21 asph., Vista 200 Plus B&W converted

[pedaes]

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.

[ivohula]

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?

[Likaleica]

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.

[zanydave]

21mm SEM 👌

[Camaro5]

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.  

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[thighslapper]

I thought the whole Leica ethos and reason for the wallet wringing prices is that all the modern designed lenses are about as optically perfect as you can get ..... within the constraints of compactness for 35mm and a RF camera.

As has been pointed out ...... for landscape you invariably want good DOF so you will be using lenses at apertures that are their optical best anyway. 

Apart from the extreme edges wide open in the faster lenses and the effects of diffraction when fully stopped down I don't think you will find any Leica lenses will disappoint.