24 Elmar or Elmarit?

[Robert Blanko]

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Howdy,

 

For some weeks now I‘m considering buying either a 24 Elmar or Elmarit, mainly as standard wide angle lens for hiking in the mountains. Both are only available used.

I just saw that my local dealer has both. Elmarit is cheaper. Which would you choose?

So far, I‘m inclined to go for the Elmar, as it is frequently reported to provide corner-to-corner sharpness and great micro contrast.

On the other hand, is the Elmarit stopped down to 5.6 or 8 on par?

Any experiences are appreciated.

Thanks!

[spydrxx]

I had the 24 Elmarit, but quickly grew to really hate it. I found that the focal length at that  time was just too difficult to use without very carefully trying to avoid the inherent distortion. Nothing wrong with the lens, just me. I found hiking in the mountains much more suited to a 35mm focal length....which didn't do justice to sweeping panoramas unless I specifically panned the shots, but had much less distortion and was easier to use.

[ocean2059]

Both are excellent for a 24mm. Elmar may be a better choice for hiking as it's a bit lighter and smaller. But I agree with the @spydrxx that 24mm is not a good focal lens for hiking. I found the f/2.8 of the Elmarit is more flexible for travel when lighting condition is less than ideal. The Elmarit is also a bit wider than the Elmar. But the hood for the Elmarit is a bit too big. If you can live with f/3.8, then go with the Elmar. 

[01af]

Technically, the Elmar-M 24 mm 1:3.8 is the better lens. Yet, I prefer the Elmarit-M 24 mm 1:2.8 due to ... umm, nicer rendition—even though the frame's corners, at or near full aperture, are slightly less sharp. Stopped down to f/8, both are equally fine.

Edited May 15, 2023 by 01af

[Kim Dahl]

I have 24 elmarit f/2.8 - and am very happy with it. There is a little "dreaminess" above f2.8/4 and piv sharp at f5.6. I use my 24 through the window. The cutout fits nicely there.

[Shu_downunder]

Elmar-M 24 mm 1:3.8 is permanently in my bag and I use it for everything.

It is super sharp with almost no distortion. It feels good as well. I wish it even smaller as it is not short enough with the hood on in my small bag  

When I choose between the three 24mm's, I believed it would either be the Lux, for the shallow DoF, or the Elmar, for its superb IQ. The Emarit has compromise, if I can say so, on both sides. 
 

Saying that, I have never used an Emarit so can only give you subjective Opinions. 

Edited May 16, 2023 by Shu_downunder

[beewee]

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The Elmar is amazing on the M. One of the sharpest M lenses after the latest 35/50/75/90 APOs.

It’s my most used M lens in the mountains. Super easy to zone focus and is sharp to the very corners.

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Edited May 16, 2023 by beewee

[lawrence_lee]

24mm Elmar is small and IQ is super.

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[charlesphoto99]

FTR I use the 24mm Elmarit sans hood with a UV filter, and have never had any flare issues. Makes it more compact feeling for sure. Both great lenses, just depends on your pocketbook and if you want to spend extra for less speed yet a bit more compact. Is the Elmarit six bit coded? 

[wizard]

I own the Elmarit and just love it. At f5.6, you won't be able to tell any difference between the two lenses. At full aperture, the Elmar seems to be a little sharper in the extreme edges, but in the center there is no difference really. As has been pointed out, the Elmar is a little more compact, but looses half an f-stop in maximum aperture over the Elmarit. They are both great lenses, you can't go wrong with either of them.

[pgk]

I used to have the 24mm Elmarit which was ok, but it didn't stand out as being an exceptional lens. The hood made it a bit bulkier too. I now have and use the 21 Super-Elmar-M which I very much prefer. First thing though is that the Elmar-M is a ten year later design and, assuming it to be like the 21 Super-Elmar-M, which by all accounts it is, then it will be a really great little lens of superb performance. Personally, and unless there was a very specific reason for going for the Elmarit (and I can't think of any), then I would go for the Elmar-M myself.

[Robert Blanko]

Thank you for your helpful advice!

The winner is ... the Elmar! Both Elmarit and Elmar were 6-bit coded but overalI liked the Elmar more and I think for the intended purpose this seems to be a good choice.

[Robert Blanko]

One aspect that positively surprised me is that the rangefinder shows even more (when moving the eye a little bit, so that one may see the housing of the rangefinder) than the actual photo.

The imaginary 24mm frame lines seem to be roughly in the middle between the 28mm frame lines and the frame lines defined by the housing. Thus, no external viewfinder seems to be required for my purpose.

[beewee]

15 hours ago, Robert Blanko said:

One aspect that positively surprised me is that the rangefinder shows even more (when moving the eye a little bit, so that one may see the housing of the rangefinder) than the actual photo.

The imaginary 24mm frame lines seem to be roughly in the middle between the 28mm frame lines and the frame lines defined by the housing. Thus, no external viewfinder seems to be required for my purpose.

Yeah, there’s no need for an optical viewfinder. I do use the visoflex for the M10 but mainly because I wanted to geotag my photos.

[rsolomon]

I had the 24 3.8  - awesome lens , I was looking for something that offered a VERY significant difference from the 35 point of view, while the 24 offers a difference the 21 SEM was the ‘VERY’  I was looking for. Like the 24, the 21 is awesome and brings something different to my table.  
 

enjoy the 24, it’s awesome 

[Sharpdressed]

+1 for the elmarit. Very nice color rendition, I find it similar to the WATE.

My favourite landscape lens with the new 28 summaron being a close second (that lens is dope).

 

[LeicaR10]

Robert Blanko,   First, as you can see from all the replies there are a number of well intentioned photographers who offered their sage advice to include myself.  Second, both M 24mm lenses are excellent and it will get down to which 24mm renders best what you see.  Personally and IMO, the 24 Elmar-M is the better of the two lenses, especially for landscape photographs.  It is very highly resolving from edge to edge and wide open.  Its sweet spot is f/4-f/8.  Last, here are 2 links that might help you decide what will work for your genre of photography.  The good news, you have two excellent choices and it's your decision what works best for you.   r/ Mark

24 Elmar   Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=339&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

24 Elmarit Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=340&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

[Robert Blanko]

Yesterday I had the opportunity to test my newly acquired Elmar in the mountains and I have to say that the Elmar exactly delivers what I was looking for. Did not regret a second so far... 😊

 

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[yanidel]

The best choice is the one that suits your needs, for landscape your did the right one it seems. I own the Elmarit and its a lens with two renderings. There is the 2.8 look, with lower contrast, different colors and some ability to throw the focus off on close environmental portraits and there is the F4 and above look which I understand is very similar to the Elmar. If one does not need the F2.8 look, than the Elmar is indeed the best choice. 

One great advantage of the Elmarit that has not been mentioned is that it a great all rounder on the M8. A wonderful match in terms of FOV (32mm) and framelines. F2.8 is needed there since you can't raise ISO's so much. I still use a M8 as backup to my M10, and it's where the Elmarit sees the most use. The images I take on the M8 have just a wonderful pop, I always look back at them with a wouah factor.

Edited May 28, 2023 by yanidel

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Hallo,

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[lawrence_lee]

M240 with 24 Elmar

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