21mm/M11 Is selling the Zeiss f/4.5 C Biogon ZM and Purchasing a Leica Super Elmar f/3.4 an Upgrade?

[BWColor]

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I purchased the Biogon years ago when using only film.  Now mounted on a M11 Monochrom with great results and minimal distortion.  Best I can tell, the only benefit to moving to Leica is a prettier lens, slightly faster and slightly less vignetting.  I understand that the Biogon produces color fringing on M10 and prior, but I only use the M11M and film.  Am I missing something here.  Just saw my first 21mm Elmar at Tokyo Station Leica and must admit that it is a very attractive lens.

Edited May 30 by BWColor
Move ‘C’ in Topic

[jakontil]

1 hour ago, BWColor said:

I purchased the Biogon years ago when using only film.  Now mounted on a M11 Monochrom with great results and minimal distortion.  Best I can tell, the only benefit to moving to Leica is a prettier lens, slightly faster and slightly less vignetting.  I understand that the Biogon produces color fringing on M10 and prior, but I only use the M11M and film.  Am I missing something here.  Just saw my first 21mm Elmar at Tokyo Station Leica and must admit that it is a very attractive lens.

I never used the biogon 21mm, but the SEM 21, is mind blowing lens, i m happy to keep it and use it for my street and landscape photos.. 

[BWColor]

11 minutes ago, jakontil said:

I never used the biogon 21mm, but the SEM 21, is mind blowing lens, i m happy to keep it and use it for my street and landscape photos.. 

Precisely my problem…but in reverse.

[lct]

I own both lenses and use them on M11. No color shift with the Biogon and almost zero distortion but more vignetting and softer corners than SEM. More character with the Biogon too but it is a matter of taste.

[BWColor]

Well, I entered the danger zone today when I visited the used Map Photo Leica basement in search of a 21mm Super Elmar.  I came away with a used Leica 75mm APO and traded in my 21mm ZM.  Honestly, divesting myself of my Zeiss lens was the only way that I would try the Super Elmar.  Four days left in Tokyo and then back to base where I’ll purchase the new 21mm from B&H.  To help defray the cost I’ll sell my brand new 75mm f/1.9 Ultron and Leica 90mm f/2.0 APO Asph…and probably a few other lenses…like the exotic 50mm f/1.2 M-Hexanon.

[Xavier]

It looks like you are walking the same path as I did when I visited Tokyo last year, but you have not mentioned visiting Yodobashi yet. 😉

 

 

 

[BWColor]

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7 hours ago, Xavier said:

It looks like you are walking the same path as I did when I visited Tokyo last year, but you have not mentioned visiting Yodobashi yet. 😉

Decades ago I purchased a Mamiya 7 and 7ii with lenses from Yodobashi.  I visited their location in Kyoto and Tokyo during my visit, but they have become a large department store.

 

 

 

Edited May 31 by BWColor
typo

[BWColor]

Not sure what happened to above post, but back in the U.S. and the 21mm Super Elmar will be arriving on Sunday.  I have a Zeiss Ikon 21mm viewfinder and a viewfinder magnifier for the 75mm APO arrives on Monday.  I will see if it is better to go the all optical route or the Visoflex 2 approach .  Thanks for the advice above..  Selling my favorite lens was a bit traumatic.  I need to sell many lenses that I rarely use.  Thanks for help above.

[misteracng]

The 21 SEM works great on the M11, I too was thinking on using the Visioflex or finder but really I found it’s totally unnecessary. There is so much DOF like at f5.6 or so, you can just use the optical finder to get it close and then just use the screen, very fast way of shooting. You hardly have to refocus with subject movement. Even without the rangefinder you will se in most normal distance shooting moving the focus ring full range barely makes a difference. 

[Pyrogallol]

I have had several 21mm lenses, Original Super-Angulons, Color-Skopar, but not the modern expensive Leica lenses. Having a clear out of equipment the one 21mm lens I am keeping is the Zeiss ZM Biogon 21mm f2.8 sharp wide open and better than any other 21mm I have used, on film.

[tgray]

What lct said.
 

I have both and use on my M10M. If you are happy with the Biogon (and you should be) save the money. I bought the SEM as well and I haven’t regretted it - it’s a great lens. But I sure as heck didn’t need it.