Opportunity to Buy 21mm f3.4 SA. Should I?

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fixbones

.......sometimes i thinks
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Hi all,

I have the opportunity to buy a 21mm Super Angulon in mint condition. Comes with box, original hood and also matching viewfinder.

Should I? Tempted to try this legendary lens.............. Problem is I don't know if 21 is too wide for me.......

Have seen and heard many good things about this lens.
 
It's somewhat hard to answer the question without knowing the price you will pay.
But I can say that I had one and sold it. And then bought another.
Waiting for mine to get back from Sherry K this week.
 
I like images from my 35 pre asph lux and from what i read and see..... i'll most probably like how this lens renders as well.

f3.4 is absolutely fine for me.

My only concern is if i can get used to photographing 'so much'

I can always buy a cheaper 21 and try but just not too keen on buy sell and buy again. More of a 'buy it once and buy it good kinda person'

The copy that i am eyeing is on the higher price margin as it is in really good condition and I suppose also the fact that in includes a leica 21mm finder which can normally sells for quite a bit.
 
Depends on the price. If you don't overpay, then buy it, shoot it, see if you like it and, if you do, keep it. If you don't, sell it and get your money back.

The key is, don't overpay.

That's the beauty of Leica gear, it holds resale value really well, as long as you don't overpay.

Market price is around $1200 USD.


....Vick
 
Oh, that's $1200 without the viewfinder.

If the finder is a Leica 21mm finder, that little thing is worth $200 to $300.

Vick
 
I have a Leica 21mm finder for my 21mm CV. Love the combo. The SA 21 is a pretty nice lens but without knowing the cost virtually impossible to advise further.
 
I will warn you it vignettes heavily to F11 or 16 because the rear element is so close to the film. The upside it there is no distortion.

Later 21`s got hugh and distortion as a trade off for much less vignetting.
 
fixbones said:
It is going for around USD 2400......
Mint copy and like is mentioned, with box hood caps and viewfinder
Quite a bit no???
Click to expand...

Way too much if you're planning to use it. If you're a collector with deep pockets, you pay whatever for a mint-in-the-box lens. If you're a user, especially if you're not sure the lens is for you, I'd say $1600 is tops with finder.

Ari
 
I don't mind some vignetting...

Anyways, i do agree that it is too much....thats the reason why i am having doubt regarding commiting to the buy.....

Might wait for a better deal than......... in no real rush.

Thanks for the advice guys 😉
 
I had a S.A. for over 29 years. Bought it in December 1979 for $950 with finder. Mine hardly vignetted. If it was there, it wasn't objectionable. I sold mine, black, for $1400 without finder.
 
I was considering a SA (f3.4). A local shop had one on the shelf.

Black with all the bits including the finder... Asking $2,800 AUD!
Too expensive but it was a nice example in excellent condition.
But we pay more for anything Leica down here.

I'm making enquirers internationally 😉
 
All depends on what you want. With a 21mm I'm looking for something different from my 1984 35 Summilux (bought new). Speaking purely personally I'd rather have an adapted original 21/4.5 Biogon if I weren't looking for speed (I've had two) or a 21 Summilux if I were, and if I had plenty of money, but as it is, I'm happy with my 21/2.8 Kobalux. My suspicion is that the SA (which I've used but not owned) is a 'legend' in the same way as the original f/4.5 Apo Lanthars (of which I have only one left): stunning it its time but nothing like so remarkable today, and often overpriced as a result.

Cheers,

R.
 
Three Lenses that I won't sell, the 35mm Summilux-M, Noctilux f/1.0, and 21/3.4 Super-Angulon.

I have to agree though that 2400$ is to expensive.
 
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