Bill W Posted August 18, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 18, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am considering a wider lens specifically the 18 Super Elmar 3.8 but in my search, I seem to find several mint used and I am wondering what the verdict is with those that have purchased one. My use would be landscape and max DOP so the 3.8 is not an issue as far as low light. I have a 24 which is superb but wider would be better. Any input is appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 Hi Bill W, Take a look here Wider Angle. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
PeterP Posted August 18, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 18, 2009 I am considering a wider lens specifically the 18 Super Elmar 3.8 but in my search, I seem to find several mint used and I am wondering what the verdict is with those that have purchased one. My use would be landscape and max DOP so the 3.8 is not an issue as far as low light. I have a 24 which is superb but wider would be better. Any input is appreciated. It is a very nice lens, I am very happy w/ mine. Buying used mint is the way to go, make sure you buy the correct UV/IR filter for it, it is a dedicated filter and a bit pricey. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccis Posted August 18, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 18, 2009 It is a fantastic lens on both film and digital. M8.2 M3 Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efftee Posted August 18, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 18, 2009 Ever considered a CV 15mm? IMHO, cheap and good, especially since speed is not a concern. If you have access to Reid's reviews, check out the wide angles report; every M lens was put to the test. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted August 18, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 18, 2009 The Super-Elmar is the lens that Leica should have offered us when the M8 was launched. Instead we got the badly thought-out WATE and the grotesque Frankenfinder. Therefore my 18mm lens is a Zeiss Distagon. The present version is easily codable as a Super-Elmar. As to the quality, read Reid. I have never felt the slightest temptation to switch. The old man from the Age of the Zeiss Hologon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted August 18, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 18, 2009 I am considering a wider lens specifically the 18 Super Elmar 3.8 (...) I have a 24 which is superb but wider would be better. Any input is appreciated. If I had this concern, I would sell the Elmarit 24mm for a Summilux 24 and go for a less expensive 18mm Distagon, it's a very nice lens. I did try the SE18, but didn't saw much visible difference, only a big one, on the bill. I would like to change my Elmarit 24 for a Lux, but I can't afford it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Morley Posted August 18, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 18, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) :)I too am surprised at how many 18mm's are comming up on the seconhand market given this lens has only been generaly available for a few months. But am sure it is nothing to do with this superb lenses quallity. I bought mine from the first batch into the UK and was blown away by its accross the frame high definition and contrast at any apperature. For me it has beccomme a realy indespensible benchmark lens. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Pope Posted August 18, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 18, 2009 I'm delighted with Super-Elmar 18. It has a permanent home in my bag. Best wishes Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted August 18, 2009 It is a fantastic lens on both film and digital. M8.2 M3 Cheers, Riccis, Really nice black & white work. You seem to go wide and low...!!! Just curious but do you use an external finder. I read another thread that went into this subject and many found it not that necessary after using the lens for a while and getting their bearings so to speak. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted August 18, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 18, 2009 The 18mm Super-Elmar M has been wonderful--it has really surprised me, delivering more than I expected. I went from a CV21 and CV15 to the 18, BTW. I'll be exploiting it more for portraits (yes, portraits) in the near future. Have a look? Super Elmar-M 18mm/3.8 - a set on Flickr You might already know but keep an eye on the "mint used" thing. . . . Understand what you're not getting in terms of warranty. (And what might be on offer in lieu of a Leica warranty.) Thanks! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccis Posted August 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 18, 2009 Riccis,Really nice black & white work. You seem to go wide and low...!!! Just curious but do you use an external finder. I read another thread that went into this subject and many found it not that necessary after using the lens for a while and getting their bearings so to speak. Thanks, Bill... I did not use the external viewfinder on any of these shots as it was not available at the time. Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted August 19, 2009 Thanks for everyones input. I am very close to getting the 18. The external viewfinder probably not. One question for those that use one, if I do not go for the super expensive Leica version and go for one from another maker, do you buy the 24? Many years ago, I had an M6 and a 21 with external finder. I have never really liked them. The finder not the M6 or 21. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
butchhul Posted August 19, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 19, 2009 You might take a look at the Zeiss 18mm. I believe Sean reviewed it. I have one and am very pleased with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted August 19, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 19, 2009 You might take a look at the Zeiss 18mm. I believe Sean reviewed it. I have one and am very pleased with it. I had the Zeiss 18 before the SEM 18 came out... very nice... If you decide to get the Zeiss do a bit of research on which flange (Frameline) the lens has... They sold it here in the US with 2 different flanges - one so you could code it as a WATE and use the 18mm setting... Now that the SEM came out you would most likely like the old/other flange/frameline as the SEM so you could code it as that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 19, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 19, 2009 I think the 18mm is an excellent lens and, with its sensible design of IR filter is a much better lens to use than the WATE with its awkward standard filter (though much improved with the Milich adapter) and manual focal length selection. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adli Posted August 19, 2009 Share #16 Posted August 19, 2009 I think the 18mm is an excellent lens and, with its sensible design of IR filter is a much better lens to use than the WATE with its awkward standard filter (though much improved with the Milich adapter) and manual focal length selection. I agree that for use with the M8, the design of the IR filter is nice, but when I switch between M8 and M6 it's a hassel, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted August 19, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 19, 2009 :)I too am surprised at how many 18mm's are comming up on the seconhand market given this lens has only been generaly available for a few months. But am sure it is nothing to do with this superb lenses quallity. I bought mine from the first batch into the UK and was blown away by its accross the frame high definition and contrast at any apperature. For me it has beccomme a realy indespensible benchmark lens. Don I do not for an instance doubt that the SEM is a superb lens (the question whether it is superb enough to warrant double the price of the Distagon is a different matter). But any super wide angle lens is a difficult tool to master. After the first flush of enthusiasm comes 'the pale cast of doubt', and many people do not have the resolution to hang on and follow the learning curve. So they decide that the lens is not for them. They may be right. The old man from the Age of the Zeiss Hologon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted August 19, 2009 Share #18 Posted August 19, 2009 Thanks for everyones input. I am very close to getting the 18. The external viewfinder probably not. One question for those that use one, if I do not go for the super expensive Leica version and go for one from another maker, do you buy the 24? Many years ago, I had an M6 and a 21 with external finder. I have never really liked them. The finder not the M6 or 21. You will very definitely need the external finder. You will be pretty lost without one, not only for framing the picture, but for levelling the camera--a very important matter with short lenses. Cosina/Voigtländer has a good 25mm finder that will suit you. The old man from the Age of the Zeiss Hologon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share #19 Posted August 19, 2009 If one purchases a non-Leica external finder do you get the 18 or one closer to 24? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adli Posted August 19, 2009 Share #20 Posted August 19, 2009 If one purchases a non-Leica external finder do you get the 18 or one closer to 24? If you use the M8 you want a 24 viewfinder for the 18mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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