Any comments on using the M 21mm Summilux on an SL body?

[algrove]

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I do want to have a 21mm for use on my SL2S, but before buying the new APO 21 SL lens I would like to hear if any of you have successfully tried the M 21mm lux on your SL body. 

What is your take on the quality of files with this lens on your SL?

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[Photoworks]

these lenses could not be any different.

the Summilux wide open has some glow, by closing down very sharp in the center, and progressively improves to the corners. Same for vignetting.

The Summicron Sl is detailed and in focus across the frame at f2. The SL lenses are corrected at the highest level.

I like the Summilux for the image characteristics, and when I need quality across the frame I will go to f4-8.

 

 

[helged]

7 hours ago, Photoworks said:

these lenses could not be any different.

the Summilux wide open has some glow, by closing down very sharp in the center, and progressively improves to the corners. Same for vignetting.

The Summicron Sl is detailed and in focus across the frame at f2. The SL lenses are corrected at the highest level.

I like the Summilux for the image characteristics, and when I need quality across the frame I will go to f4-8.

 

 

+1. Plus weather sealing, af and, in particular for me, short focus distance.

[Carrot]

I’ve had good results with the 21mm super-elmar on my SL2-S, don’t find it being only f3.4 a problem given the wide angle of view

[Ken Abrahams]

I love my 21 Super Elmar, it has produced some very nice images on all my SL bodies and of course M cameras. I know the APO 21 SL Summicron will be hell good, like all the other APO SL Summicrons but as I shoot a lot of street with the 21, the SL Lens is completely ruled out. I used the 21 Summilux M lens about ten years ago and thought it was a fine lens mounted on the M9M but I didnt have the same appreciation of Leica glass as I do now. I like the way you are researching the Summilux M Lens to be used on the SL bodies Algrove. Like you I have been doing my research with the 28 Summilux 1.4 M lens for SL2 and SL2S and M10M recently. I managed to I place a deposit on it yesterday after several months. 

This image taken with SL2S with 21 Super Elmar could have had more lens correction in post (perspective) but I preferred the keystone effect here. Apparently the new 21 APO SL Summicron does away with barrel distortion which I find quite amazing. 

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[jcatral14]

On 11/1/2023 at 11:54 AM, algrove said:

I do want to have a 21mm for use on my SL2S, but before buying the new APO 21 SL lens I would like to hear if any of you have successfully tried the M 21mm lux on your SL body. 

What is your take on the quality of files with this lens on your SL?

I just posted some pics in the M lens section. I think it's a great lens and pairs really well with the SL platform.

[algrove]

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On 11/4/2023 at 4:50 AM, Ken Abrahams said:

I love my 21 Super Elmar, it has produced some very nice images on all my SL bodies and of course M cameras. I know the APO 21 SL Summicron will be hell good, like all the other APO SL Summicrons but as I shoot a lot of street with the 21, the SL Lens is completely ruled out. I used the 21 Summilux M lens about ten years ago and thought it was a fine lens mounted on the M9M but I didnt have the same appreciation of Leica glass as I do now. I like the way you are researching the Summilux M Lens to be used on the SL bodies Algrove. Like you I have been doing my research with the 28 Summilux 1.4 M lens for SL2 and SL2S and M10M recently. I managed to I place a deposit on it yesterday after several months. 

This image taken with SL2S with 21 Super Elmar could have had more lens correction in post (perspective) but I preferred the keystone effect here. Apparently the new 21 APO SL Summicron does away with barrel distortion which I find quite amazing. 

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I guess one could call the 21 lux a wide angle Noctilux. It does have a dreamy look at times. I owned one back in the M9 days too and almost wish I had kept as today I enjoy lenses with character over sharpness at times especially when using my M's. Many like the 0.95 on the SL and I will have to work at that as it takes a special experience to get it right, at least for me. That SL EVF is terrific for getting focus right if all parties are not moving with the 0.95 or moving in sync.

 

Good luck with that 28/1.4 and want to hear from you your experience with that lens on your SL system.

[algrove]

On 11/3/2023 at 3:11 AM, helged said:

+1. Plus weather sealing, af and, in particular for me, short focus distance.

As I find myself shooting in dust storms and/or constantly blowing wind in sandy environs the SL system with SL lenses is preferred. Even though I own M glass that could work it can cause havoc in the environments I mention.

[Ken Abrahams]

On 11/7/2023 at 8:03 AM, algrove said:

I guess one could call the 21 lux a wide angle Noctilux. It does have a dreamy look at times. I owned one back in the M9 days too and almost wish I had kept as today I enjoy lenses with character over sharpness at times especially when using my M's. Many like the 0.95 on the SL and I will have to work at that as it takes a special experience to get it right, at least for me. That SL EVF is terrific for getting focus right if all parties are not moving with the 0.95 or moving in sync.

 

Good luck with that 28/1.4 and want to hear from you your experience with that lens on your SL system.

Thanks Algrove

Yes thats a proper photographer, the one who works toward developing and using that "special experience". Becoming skilled with all the nuances takes a few years or decades maybe. Maybe it's an ongoing series of discoveries that we are drawn to. To produce the best images while expressing some part of ourselves.

The 28 Summilux has exceeded all my expectations Algrove. Admitting I am still settling in "with her" but what an extraordinary lens it is. My friend wondered about Leica lens names, their meanings. Summilux - Summit meaning "highest point" and Lux means "light".   He has a very wide collection of S and SL and Zeiss lenses including SL ApO Summicrons and mentioned that my 28 M 1.4 lens is better (sharper and bokeh qualities) than any lens in his kit. I understand how you refer to getting focus right. Another photographer developed a system to step back "one step" with a certain lens because he knows it will be dead sharp in that zone.

I sometimes move my head back and forward with portraits when using rangefinder. It gives critical focus a real chance. Anyway as much as I love the special qualities of the SL APO lenses, I am very glad to have bought the 28 M Summilux Asph. Remarkable indeed.

Ken       

[algrove]

Ken

Are you then happy using your 28/1.4 on an SL? No real issues with corner blurring, etc?

[Ken Abrahams]

11 hours ago, algrove said:

Ken

Are you then happy using your 28/1.4 on an SL? No real issues with corner blurring, etc?

Hi Algrove

Still testing in different conditions and settings. A couple of my images were blurry today but it was user error and focus. I need to remember the lens wont focus by hitting the back button.   

Some images today where I stopped down a little compared to wide open Street shots do not show any blur in corners. Seems to be all good. There was some vignetting mainly in the blue skies, nothing drastic.  

These two images are extreme left lower corners and I cant see it. 

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Edited November 18, 2023 by Ken Abrahams

[Photoworks]

12 hours ago, algrove said:

Ken

Are you then happy using your 28/1.4 on an SL? No real issues with corner blurring, etc?

You get the same quality on the SL2 that you get from an M11 with the Summilux M 28

I love this lens for the look and sharpness, wide open it has character and is dreamy.

At 1.4 it is not as sharp to the corner as it is best in the center. Comparing images to the q2 Summilux, the q2 is sharp and detailed at 1.7. Much more than the Summilux M.

Stepping down one or 2 stops you get incredible details. Of the M lenses 28mm the Summilux is the best.

I don't have the 28 SL APO, but I find the other SL APO lenses perfect, and hard to get a dreamy look out of them. I use for this reason many M lenses on the SL.

[Elliot Harper]

Sorry to dredge up the old post of this.

I had exactly same struggling recently to find a 21mm to pair with my SL3-S for an upcoming trip to Alhambra Palace, Granada.

Choosing between SL APO 21mm/f2.0 and M Summilux 21mm/f1.4, price difference is negligible.

Here is Canada, a very well mint M 21/f1.4 costs almost about same as a brand new SL APO 21. I decided to get the SL APO 21 just for the sake of convenience (auto focus) and the eco system of the SL. Besides, I have a M 28/1.4 summilux and I feel 21/1.4 is too close to it.

[Photon42]

Voigtländer 1.4/21? Financial damage isn't that dramatic compared to the Leica options

[Eoin]

36 minutes ago, Elliot Harper said:

I decided to get the SL APO 21 just for the sake of convenience (auto focus) and the eco system of the SL. Besides, I have a M 28/1.4 summilux and I feel 21/1.4 is too close to it.

I think you made the right decision, I have not used the 21 Summilux or 21 Elmarit on the SL since getting the Super APO Summicron SL 21 over 6 months ago.
Personally, I think it is perhaps the best 21mm I have ever used in over 50 years of photography. 

[Elliot Harper]

6 hours ago, Eoin said:

I think you made the right decision, I have not used the 21 Summilux or 21 Elmarit on the SL since getting the Super APO Summicron SL 21 over 6 months ago.
Personally, I think it is perhaps the best 21mm I have ever used in over 50 years of photography. 

I had to go with a brand new APO SL 21mm, since the second hand is nowhere to be found.

I don’t know what happens to lens but nobody is selling it second hand at all. Even the new one I had to wait a couple of weeks for dealer to order it for me.

 

Edited October 3 by Elliot Harper

[Genoweffa]

biogon 21 from zeiss..

image quality vs price...can not beat that

[Ken Abrahams]

I also decided to purchase the Apo Summicron 21 some few months back. I still use the trusty 21 Super Elmar M lens as it is great for street work, its size and ability for zone focus shooting and its character. Although recently I have had very good success on the street with the Apo Summicron SL when configured to tracking and Afc. Using the SL3 or better still the SL3S the subject snaps focus very quickly and accurately. No back button focussing as its quicker to hit the shutter button once before firing so the "target is lit".    

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Stuart Richardson]

In my experience, the L mount versions of the 21 and 24/25mm lenses are just a lot better. I am talking sharpness and freedom from aberration,  not “character”. I don’t find much use in character in super wides for my own work. I just want them evenly sharp and without chromatic aberrations. The one wide M lens I have found to be excellent on the SL2 is the new Voigtlander 28mm APO Lanthar. That one does superbly well. 

[Photon42]

The Miami crew did compare wides from L-mount, but also in comparison to the WATE and the 21SE. The M lenses turned out to be surprisingly good.