Leica Elmarit 21mm 2.8 asph 6-bit (mint)

[Leicaboy Norway]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hey guys (and) girls!

 

2 questions:

1) Is this lens considered as good, a bit worse or better than other leica m glass?

2) how unruly is a 21mm on m? I'm also considering using it on a Leica sl2.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[wda]

In my opinion Elmarit lenses are excellent, bypassed only by users who want a faster initial lens aperture. I used mine on M6, M8 and MP240 bodies. Live-view helps with framing. You need to accept that all lenses in that focal-length are challenging in use. Used intelligently and with thought, the results can be highly pleasing.

Edited April 2, 2024 by wda

[GFW2-SCUSA]

I also have the Elmarit 21 which I bought used a few years ago. I agree with wda (above) that it is a fine lens and I have no problem using it on either the M10 or the SL2 (with Leica adaptor).  I did get the Leica 21mm viewfinder which helps on the M10 but most of the time I use it with the Visoflex.  I don't think it is an unruly lens at all. As wth any 21mm one needs to be careful, but not overly so. 

[a.noctilux]

I use on Leica M many 21mm lenses for decades, with or without aux. viewfinder.

No worry, with a bit of practicing mastering 21mm is not hard.

As side note 21mm lenses for Leica M exist since 1958, so many thousands users ...

Here, we have a thread for 21mm :

 

and more ...

 

 

[lct]

My 6-bit coded Elmarit 21/2.8 asph works fine on both my M11 and M240 bodies in lens detection auto mode. On M240, it has less color shift issues than S-A 21/3.4, VM 21/4 and ZM 21/4.5, all those lenses doing fine on the M11.

[BernardC]

One trick with any ultra-wide is to keep the camera level. This keeps vertical lines parallel. I use a cheap hotshoe bubble level for this purpose, it's amazing how wide you can go while preserving a natural look, as long as everything looks straight.

You'll get a feel for your field of view. 21mm is 90 degrees diagonal (81 degrees horizontal), which is fairly easy to visualize. Eventually you won't even need to check your composition with a finder or live view, just hold your camera at the right height, point it toward the middle of your composition, check that it's level, and press the shutter.

[lct]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The Perspective Control tool can be useful when shooting UWA lenses in LV mode on M11, M10P, M10R or M10M cameras. Couple of snaps on M11 and Elmarit 21/2.8 asph with Perspective Control below.

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!