siulonbow Posted October 2, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I am interested in getting a 21mm lens for my borrowed M8 camera. I have been looking for a 21mm lens because I am interested in taking pictures of buildings. I have been looking at the 21mm f/1.4, 21mm f/2.8, super angulon, and vogitland 21 f/4. I don't think I would be able to afford the lux, and my uncle told me that the vogitland doesn't have the leica feeling. So i wondered what would be recommended out of the 4? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 Hi siulonbow, Take a look here 21mm lens suggestion???. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
don_panko Posted October 3, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 3, 2009 I am happy with my Zeiss 21/2.8 Biogon if you need another lens on your list. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 3, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 3, 2009 I have the CV 21 f/4 Skopar M mount lens and although it is not a Leica 21 F2.8 ASPH my copy is very good. For the price it really can't be beat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siulonbow Posted October 3, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted October 3, 2009 How is emmarit 21mm 2.8? I tried to search on this forum of 21mm lens, but I don't see much. Do ppl use 21mm for wide angle for buildings and landscape? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted October 3, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 3, 2009 I have a Zeiss Biogon 21/2.8. I'm very happy with it. This may interest you: Erwin Puts - Biogon 2.8/21 Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightpainter Posted October 3, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 3, 2009 I have both the 21asph and the 24 asph. I do not really miss the extra stop offered by the new, fast, and very expensive lenses. I like both lenses on my M8. 21 asph really opens up the view more than the 24asph, on the other hand I like the way the 24 asph performs on my M8. Might sell one of them. If you are interested, send me a PM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted October 3, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 3, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have the CV 21 f/4 Skopar M mount lens and although it is not a Leica 21 F2.8 ASPH my copy is very good.For the price it really can't be beat. +1 The CV is great for outdoor street photography. As small and onubtrusive as it gets. Very sharp too. And the price is amazing. I also use the 21/1.4, but that's a much bigger (and expensive) chunk of glass. Hard to beat though when you need a wide and the light is low. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaMSeattle Posted October 3, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 3, 2009 I'm in the architectural profession where I shoot construction progress photographs on a weekly and sometimes daily basis. My favorites are the 21mm 2.8 Elmarit and the new CV15mm rangefinder linked f4.5 lenses. Here are some examples from my recent trip to Shanghai. The shot of my feet and skyline are with the 21mm, the one with the mother and two kids over glass are with the 15mm. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/98869-21mm-lens-suggestion/?do=findComment&comment=1060320'>More sharing options...
geoffreyg Posted October 3, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 3, 2009 Having a 28 2.8 and the CV 15, I was looking into the same issue. I spent a morning at the camera store checking out the three - Leica, Zeiss and CV. There were subtle differences - but I only pixpeeped on the M8,not on the computer. Still, I did some harsh testing of highlights, tonal transitions,a nd legibility of fine print labels some 10-12' away on the far side of the image. Overall, the Leica was the best. THere was a small, but noticeable difference in read and quality. The Zeiss was a bit better than the CV,and probably would have been even more at f 8, rather than wide open, as Sean Reid has identified on many of the Zeiss lenses (I think). The CV was surprisingly sharp, tho. I was attracted to the Leica lens for its quality, to be sure. But in the end, took the CV - figuring that if the lens length was a big success for me, and if limited by the quality, then a trade up would always be possible. Better to judge and then spend the big $, than the other way around. So far - happy with the CV. But then again, saving money for the M9 seems like a better place. In short, there are differences. Normally, I'd chase it to the max and get either the Leica or the Zeiss. Just depends on how important the cost is. THe CV is a great value for the dollar. I'd say the Leica is a 100 point lens. The Zeiss is a solid 98+, and the CV 97. For most of the time, you'll never see the difference. Sometimes we get hung up looking for that last little bit, and for once, I managed to dodge that one. Phew. Geoff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted October 4, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 4, 2009 I put the ZM 21 2.8 quite some way above the CV 21 f4 (of which I have had several copies and now have a very decent one). In real terms the 21 zeiss is better on all counts (FF): edge resolution vignetting On centre they are similar. The ZM has higher contrast which may or may not suit, but do not buy a CV 21 for FF and think it will match the ZM at middle apertures in the outer field. It wont in my experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted October 4, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 4, 2009 Why not second hand Elmarit 2.8/21mm Pre Asph ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 4, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 4, 2009 If you can afford it, go for the Leica Elmarit. On the M8 it gives a very useful 28mm equivalent view and is extremely usable. If you can find a mint one secondhand, even better, provided it is coded. If not, factor in the extra cost because it really does need to be 6-bit coded. The classic Jensen sports saloon car in my Leica portfolio on my website (details below) is an example of shooting in a tightish space, even though it does not appear so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightpainter Posted October 4, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 4, 2009 If you can afford it, go for the Leica Elmarit. On the M8 it gives a very useful 28mm equivalent view and is extremely usable. If you can find a mint one secondhand, even better, provided it is coded. If not, factor in the extra cost because it really does need to be 6-bit coded. The classic Jensen sports saloon car in my Leica portfolio on my website (details below) is an example of shooting in a tightish space, even though it does not appear so. I can only agree. I had my 21asph and my 24asph coded in Solms and found it improved work a lot, especially with the 21asph, on my M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siulonbow Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted October 4, 2009 Thanks for the photo, it gave me good idea of how the pictures look like from 21mm lens. I wondered how does the 2.8f function in the low light room? I am quite interested in the used market for the 2.8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthury Posted October 5, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 5, 2009 The 21mm/2.8 Biogon is a beauty and yields attractive images. Erwin was impressed with it when he tested it. Here's something I shot this afternoon ... 10+ images stitched And, a few from a few weeks back ... M8; 21mm/2.8 Biogon ZM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siulonbow Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted October 5, 2009 What is the difference between 2.8 pre-asph and 2.8 asph? Also, the Emmarit and the Biogon both have 2.8f, which one perform better in the day time and night time (low light)? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted October 5, 2009 Share #17 Posted October 5, 2009 I second the 21/2.8 asph. I have used it for years and really do like the rendering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 5, 2009 Share #18 Posted October 5, 2009 Thanks for the photo, it gave me good idea of how the pictures look like from 21mm lens. I wondered how does the 2.8f function in the low light room? I am quite interested in the used market for the 2.8. The 21mm works very well in low light conditions. I did some tests to illustrate an article I was writing and was surprised at the measure of control of dof (depth of field) at full aperture. I will look for an example and post it here later. I think it is fair to say that all Leica lenses work well at full aperture, one reason why photographers like them so much. It is also fair to say that newer lenses perform rather better wide open than their much older brethren! But all are eminently usable! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Lemon Posted October 5, 2009 Share #19 Posted October 5, 2009 I have the 21mm/1.4 and its very good on M8 - but a whole lot better on my M7 and I suspect on the M9 where the glass really is used at it's proper focal length. The DoF is amazing but its a lump to use, it also has a Series VIII filter size so switching from M7 to 8 then back to 7 (and I suppose to 9 if I ever get a 9) from UV/IR to UV is a pain, especially when taking landscapes on a windy headland (not to be advised). But this is the same for wide angle on the 8 if you have a 7 or 9 as the second (first?) body. Another point for me is that I use a 28mm on the 8 and a 35mm on the 7 and they are my standard lenses, I also carry the camera whereever I go and that combo fits nicely in my small Billingham bag with maybe a 50mm or 75mm for company. With the 21mm/1.4 the bag is an awful lot heavier to tote around. This is a consideration for me because I have had bad back trouble in the past. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted October 5, 2009 Share #20 Posted October 5, 2009 You mentioned that you were interested in photographing buildings, and then it makes sense to look for a lens which performs well with respect to distortion in particular. You may want to consider the Zeiss ZM 4.5/21. It is a stellar performer in general and second to none, and it is unequalled when it comes to distortion. If buildings is a major issue for you, the slow speed of 4.5 should be of no consequense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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