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Does Leica still make the 21 f2.8 ASPH?


billh

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Doubtful... More likely I think that Leica figures the new Tri-wide eliminates the need for a single-focal 21 in the M line...

 

That would be foolish of Leica because for some people f4 is out of the question.

 

It is either a web glitch or they are updating the page to talk about interface with the M8 and how coding will help with it. Just speculating of course.

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My comment was more evil speculation (and wishful) than anything else. New Tri - Elmar is too slow for many....

 

I very definitely hear you and agree, but I'm not so sure Leica see's it that way... F2.8 is a film paradigm: F4 is only 1 stop slower than f2.8. With ISO 400 film, that could have meant the difference between using 1/8th and 1/15th in avaialble light with a film M. But with the M8's clean ISO 1250 you gain 1-1/2 stops and (IMO) you still have a quite usable 2500. Add to that fact the DoF difference between f2.8 and f4 in a 21 is not very significant and the need for f2.8 becomes somewhat mitigated.

 

Cheers,

 

Jack

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Guest guy_mancuso

If leica pulled it from there web site , that means the are no longer going to make it. They pulled from The R side the 24mm and the 70-180 lens. They also pulled on the M side the old 28 2.8 for the new one. I bet you the 21 2.8 got the kiss of death because of the Tri -Elmar.

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Well, Leica did surprise me with the new 2.8/28asph (I felt there was no need for such a lens in view of the fantastic 2/28asph, but then I did not take into account the M8...), and now knowing it's possible to retain f2.8 and still reduce filter size (and overall size) from E46 to E39, I would not be that much surprised anymore if they came out with a Summicron 21asph (which for the M8 would be the equivalent of the 28mm Summicron) that had about the size of the current 2.8/21mm! Only time will tell...

 

Andy

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I think that it is discontinued actually. I suspect that it got too expensive to make now that the wide angle TriElmar is coming out.

 

Unfortunately Leica needs to get some newer lenses in the 19mm to 28mm category. I don't like anything missing there!

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Guest guy_mancuso

Honestly as the new M comes out with the 1.33 crop factor , Leica will mostly likely add some more new lenses and maybe upgrade some others. This is there future so new products to support it is not only a smart thing to do for the customers but also there revenue

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Honestly as the new M comes out with the 1.33 crop factor , Leica will mostly likely add some more new lenses and maybe upgrade some others. This is there future so new products to support it is not only a smart thing to do for the customers but also there revenue

 

I agree Guy. I would not be at all surprised if Leica released a single focal in the 18mm range (effective 24 on the M8), optimised for the digital sensor to compliment the 24 Asph at its effective 32mm on the M8.

 

Heck, it's entirely possible they discovered the 21 Asph did NOT work well with the M8 sensor and that's why it's being phased out...

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Guest guy_mancuso

You know they pulled the R 24mm which many considered just a okay lens on the DMR and the 70-180 as nice as it is but is heavy and that focal length they thought maybe to long for the DMR. So them making some adjustments to the line on both the M and r becuase of the crop factor now, there just maybe some new lenses in the cards. i would kill for a 135 f2 APO on the R side, a 28 f2 and a smaller and cheaper 15mm and make it a f4 with no rectilinear distortion. Damn I have so many idea's for lenses , I should just be on there payroll. LOL

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Guest guy_mancuso
It is still on the Dealer Price List... Jim

 

There still in the retail stores and have to keep the price there until stock is depleted. I would imagine

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According to Leica's current price list, the new Tri-Elmar is the same price as the 21mm Elmarit, both without finder. We don't yet know whether the 21mm is a problem on the M8 but I doubt they are replacing it with a faster lens. There are higher priorities, like a 28mm f1.4 and (especially) a 24mm f2.

 

(Of course the highest priority of all is to get the M8 out and the money in. Can you imagine the development costs and inventory of built but unsold cameras they are sitting on? Conservatively, €20m).

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I would be highly surprised if the 21 elmarit asph did not "draw" well on the M8.

It is one of the few aspherical designs i realy like .. With realistic contrast, usable in sunny conditions .....the ones i do not like are 28 summicron asph, 35 summicron asph and 24 elmarit asph ....... "harsh", "clinical" .. if that makes sense!

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