Leica Wide angle question

[Harout62]

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I have a 18mm SEM and the 21 MM Elmirite Asph.  Should  I trade them for a WATE that is available to me locally, Which will most likely cost me another 1000 dollars on top of the 2 lenses 

or just keep what I have and move on.   Second question (is the WATE image as good as the 18 and 21 that I have or will I be taking a step back in IQ for the convenience of of the 3 in one and slightly wider 16 mm ) 

Edited March 24, 2023 by Harout62

[LeicaR10]

Harout62,  The WATE is an excellent lens that performs best at f/8.  It is ideal for genres of landscape and architecture.  It adds convenience having 3 focal lengths in one and you can shoot the WATE in between focal lengths as well.  I owned and used the WATE extensively for landscapes.  The 18 SEM and perhaps the 21 might have a bit more resolution being primes lenses, but that is a close call IMO based on experience.  I owned and used the 18 SEM until I could get the WATE.  Personally, I think you will be quite happy with the WATE, but its your decision and wallet that will count no matter what sage advice you receive from members here to include myself.  Last, you can find excellent previously owned WATE copies at Leica dealers such as Camera West, Leica Store Miami, etc.  I hope this helps.  r/ Mark

Edited March 24, 2023 by LeicaR10

[Jean-Michel]

I have the WATE. Had a 21VC. Very happy with the tri-Elmar, but was also pleased with the 21. Note that the wate is actually a zoom lens, you can set the focal length anywhere from 16 to 21. It does have some “moustache” distortion which is minimal but cannot be fully corrected; not an issue unless you photograph brick walls. I use it with an EVF2 on my M-p(240). I am not sure if trading your two lenses for the wate makes any sense, I would not 

[Kl@usW.]

Am 24.3.2023 um 01:36 schrieb Harout62:

I have a 18mm SEM and the 21 MM Elmirite Asph.  Should  I trade them for a WATE that is available to me locally, Which will most likely cost me another 1000 dollars on top of the 2 lenses 

or just keep what I have and move on.   Second question (is the WATE image as good as the 18 and 21 that I have or will I be taking a step back in IQ for the convenience of of the 3 in one and slightly wider 16 mm ) 

The answer-it seems to me- is quite easy: if the IQ is more important, stay with the 18 and 21 mm lenses. If convenience is more important, get the WATE.  I had the 18, have the 21 and  the 24 SEM and they are excellent. The WATE is a zoom-construction and so inherently has build-in compromises the single focus lenses don't have.. 

Why you don't buy the WATE, use it and then decide what you keep ? 

[spydrxx]

Is it worth ditching the two you have and an additional $1000 for a modest increase in versatility? I don't know, only you can make that decision. Personally, I can find better uses for the $1000.

[Harout62]

I agree with most I rather keep the the 18 and 21.  And use the 1000 dollars for something else. I doubt that the WATE will have the IQ of the primes 

[01af]

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vor 14 Stunden schrieb Harout62:

I doubt that the WATE will have the image quality of the primes.

But it has

The only Leica M lens in this range that has a significantly higher image quality than the Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 mm Asph is the Super-Elmar-M 21 mm Asph ('significantly higher' means, perceptably higher, not much higher). With regard to sharpness, the Super-Elmar-M 18 mm Asph and Elmarit-M 21 mm Asph are about equal to the Tri-Elmar. One of the Tri-Elmar's particular strengths—besides being three focal lengths in one—is low vignetting.

[farnz]

Remember that the (f/4) Tri-Elmar is a stop slower than your (f/2.8) Elmarit as well if that matters to you.

Pete.

[Harout62]

9 hours ago, 01af said:

But it has

The only Leica M lens in this range that has a significantly higher image quality than the Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 mm Asph is the Super-Elmar-M 21 mm Asph ('significantly higher' means, perceptably higher, not much higher). With regard to sharpness, the Super-Elmar-M 18 mm Asph and Elmarit-M 21 mm Asph are about equal to the Tri-Elmar. One of the Tri-Elmar's particular strengths—besides being three focal lengths in one—is low vignetting.

I dug up images that I had taken with the WATE from 5 years ago taken with the MP 240, yes you are right it was a nice sharp lens but I think I am going to just keep the pair I have and just douse my GAS. I am at point now with my collection to take a break and just use what I have 14 M lenses 8 R lenses and 5 SL lenses. Its getting a bit crowded 

Edited March 26, 2023 by Harout62