APO 21mm Ever?

[o2mpx]

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Will there be anymore APO M lenses? Wider than the 35?

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[Essummi]

Ask Cosina.... 

[beewee]

It would make more sense for Leica to come out with a 28 APO M before a 21 APO M if there will ever be one.

I can’t speak for the 21 Elmar but the 24 Elmar resolving power and contrast is up there with the 50 APO M.

[LeicaR10]

O2mpx,   I second BeeWee's post #3.  The M 24 Elmar is stellar.  r/ Mark

[FrozenInTime]

A 21mm Summicron ( APO or not ) would fill a gap  - the 1.4 Summilux being too large and the 3.4 Super-Elmar somewhat slow.

[adan]

To the extent that "APO" is now used as a marketing term ("a really, really, really good lens justifying your paying double to triple the price!" - and not just by Leica) rather than its original scientific meaning ("Apochromatic - minimizes or eliminates longitudinal chromatic aberration" - which is an insignificant factor in wide-angle lenses with lots of depth of field anyway), perhaps.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apochromat

I think the real question would be: does Leica actually sell enough super-wides, that could be that much "better," to justify the design investment? Seems like many Leica users (not me!) are rather - conservative - in their focal-length use beyond 28mm.

Leica discontinued all their 24mm lenses (and their 18mm, and recently their 16-18-21), due to a relative lack of interest and sales.

I suppose a 21 f/2.8 or f/2.0 - with the performance of the Elmar out to the corners, even wide-open - might rate an APO designation (in the modern usage).

But be careful what you wish for - this compares the existing Leica 21mm f/2.0 APO-Summicron-L with the current 21mm f/3.5 Super-Elmar-M at close to identical scale (per Leica's specs) - "really, really, really good" often requires a really BIG lens!

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[Eoin]

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Just try the Super APO Summicron-L 21mm and a SL2/SL2S, that lens is reference / best in class in every respect.

On the M, I use the Summilux-M 21 & Elmarit-M 21 ASPH and I've always had satisfactory results... until spoiled by the 21 SL.
However, that being said, I don't think I would invest in a M mount APO 21, given the price of the APO 35 & 50 M lenses.  

 

[Buscap]

8 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

O2mpx,   I second BeeWee's post #3.  The M 24 Elmar is stellar.  r/ Mark

I triple this post, the 24mm Elmar is amazing!

[Bliz]

9 hours ago, FrozenInTime said:

A 21mm Summicron ( APO or not ) would fill a gap

This, I’d like to see a 21 (or 24) around f2-2.5 and reasonably small, personally from Voigtlander cause I’m poor.

[o2mpx]

7 hours ago, Eoin said:

Just try the Super APO Summicron-L 21mm and a SL2/SL2S, that lens is reference / best in class in every respect.

On the M, I use the Summilux-M 21 & Elmarit-M 21 ASPH and I've always had satisfactory results... until spoiled by the 21 SL.
However, that being said, I don't think I would invest in a M mount APO 21, given the price of the APO 35 & 50 M lenses.  

 

Picked up a SL3 to use with M lenses, and with landscapes, the SEM f3.5 has seen the most use. Have compared to the WATE at 21mm and prefer the sharpness of the SEM, plus the SEM is a bit smaller and easier to carry. 

Don’t own any L lenses primarily due to weight and bulk. Have been on the fence about the APO 21 given unanimous praise but never found a well priced used copy. 

[didier]

6 hours ago, Buscap said:

I triple this post, the 24mm Elmar is amazing!

I quadruple it !

  

And you can still find mint ones at a reasonable price !