21 mm lens choice, need advice.

[monster]

Hi

I've looking for a 21 mm lens to get into my leica bags to go anywhere.

question is did zeiss 21 mm f/2.8 have better result compare with elmarit 21 mm f/2.8 pre-asph by leica?

i've used an CV 21 mm f/4 before and not satisfy result from these lens and it's too slow lens by f/4

i want more faster lens


or i choose a kobalux 21 mm instead?

 

[Philippe D.]

Hi,

question is did zeiss 21 mm f/2.8 have better result compare with elmarit 21 mm f/2.8 pre-asph by leica?

I think the Biogon and the pre-Asph Elmarit are more or less equal in performance wide open.

or i choose a kobalux 21 mm instead?

If you find one, it's also a very good run.

I have Super-Angulon f/3.4, Elmarit Asph and Avenon f/2.8 v.2
I love them all with their own pro and contras.

 

[Palaeoboy]

The Voiglander is superior to the Kobalux and the pre-ASPH Elmarit in performance so if your unhappy with that particular lens you wont be that happy with these either. It basically leaves the Elmarit ASPH and the Biogon. I personally think the Biogon has the edge here as the performance of the Elmarit at 2.8 I found disappointing when compared with Leicas current ASPH range not to mention flare control with the Biogon is better as well.

 

[BRNO]

I have the 21mm f/2.8 Biogon and just sold my 21mm ASPH. I know your post refers to the pre-ASPH but would like to share my experience with the ASPH vs. the Biogon. Wide open, the ASPH is a bit sharper in the extreme corners with the center about equal. However at f/4 and above, the Biogon is more even in its sharpness across the frame. The ASPH's sharpness decreased above f/8, probably due to diffraction and possibly a design optimized for wide open performance. Flare control also seems a bit better with the Biogon. I have also owned the CV 21 f/4 in the past and it is a very sweet little lens and unbeatable for its price. This photo was taken with the 21mm CV on an MP, XP2 Super, and probably at f/4.

 

[morgan]

I'm torn between the cv 21 f/4 and the Biogon myself. It would be used mostly on my new R-D1, which I think I'm going to keep. I'm a little nervous about shelling out for the zeiss if there's a chance I won't keep the camera. But on the other hand, maybe using the zeiss would make the R-D1 irreplaceable to me. The above shot from the cv 21 looks pretty good, but I'm mostly concerned about the speed, since I always seem to be shooting in lower light. Anybody have any samples from the zeiss?

 

[Zenjitsuman]

After years of thinking about it a few thoughts. If 21mm were not so much less useful than 24/25mm it might be worth laying out the difference between the CV and lenses 3x as much money.

If you wanted to spent the much higher cost maybe the 18mm much wider Zeiss lens would be a better choice.

In my opinion the 35mm frame is not panoramic solution of choice.
I like a 2:1 or greater aspect ratio, and really wide angle like a swing lens camera can give you (Noblex, Horizon) or maybe even the Xpan with its widest lens. For wide landscapes I like 2.75:1.

 

[Turtle]

The biogons are high contrast lenses whcih may or may not suit you, but in real terms performance wrt resolution gets little better according to Putz and Sear Reid...and users. There seems to be sample variation with the 21 CVs and you might have had a bad one. Sean tested one sample after a number of duffs which tested supremely well and although a slow lens, optical performance was great across the field from wide open, as is often the case with slower lenses. bear in mind also that the Biogon 2.8 and the asph are MUCH larger lenses, wihch may or may not matter to you. If money comes into the equation, it would appear that the ZM 2.8 has a lot going for it.

 

[gberger]

IMO, A Vote for the Biogon. I have the 24mm f2.8. Elmar ASPH, and the 21 's contrast and color renditions (on Astia and Provia) are very similar, so there's no color "jolt"when interspersing the slides for projection.

After becoming used to the 24, the 21 did take getting used to. (Composing and watching the verticals)

 

[RichardB]

It's a small world!
I just purchased BRNO's 21mm ASPH and since I shoot K64 usually wide open with all my ASPH lenses, this is where I want my performance.
I also have come to expect superior mechanical performance and lifetime from Leica lenses, so for me there is no choice, it's Leica all the way!
BTW, BRNO is very nice to do business with! -Dick

 

[BRNO]

Small world indeed! Enjoy and happy shooting!