M11M with R 19mm or Tri-Elmar

[sincurves]

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I’m thinking of getting a M11M and an ultra-wide to go with it. The Leica R 19mm v2 is interesting with the built-in filters - anyone have experience with this combo? Alternatively I will be using a Tri-Elmar.

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[RF’sDelight]

I have no experience with the R 19mm in particular but I really like the WATE on my M10s (also Monochrom).

Two and a half thoughts around your question:

• No doubt R lenses are fun to use on the M but always slightly bulky together with the adapter compared to M lenses (Noctiluxes aside)
• A quick Look at there MTF Charts of Erwin Puts’ Leica compendium shows that IQ of the first R 19mm is inferior to the WATE, the second version (FLE) seems equal. 
• PS: It looks like the discontinued Super-Elmar-M 18mm is the best in class around the 18 to 19 mm spectrum. 😎

Edited May 6 by RF’sDelight

[sincurves]

Thanks, appreciate your thoughts. I’ll see if can get hold of a Super Elmar 18mm to try out - they are not that common here.
 

[ramarren]

I had both the R 19mm (v1) and the WATE. The latter is much more physically usable on the M bodies, imo. It's also more versatile and performs better. Over time, I sold both ... and later picked up the latest Voigtlander  21mm f/3.5  as well as the Voigtlander 10mm f/5.6. The latter is much more difficult to use well due to the extraordinary field of view ... after you have that in your head for a while, the 21mm seems almost normal.

G

[sincurves]

Good to hear about WATE holding up well vs the 19mm. 

[johntobias]

Having had both, the super-elmar is streets ahead of the WATE....so much so that I sold my WATE...better IQ, less distortion, smaller, and for some reason, just feels much nicer than the WATE

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