21mm/4.5 ZM Practitioners

[Tom A]

The 21f4.5 has almost no vignetting to talk about
(for a 21mm lens). The f2.8 is more noticable in this aspect. Neither one of them has vignetting that in any way disturbs the image. At around f16-f22 you will start seeing some diffraction (that is common with ANY 21 wide angle stopped down fully).

 

[35mmdelux]

C-Biogon 21/4,5 just stay on my MP for most of the time. I do agree with TOM A. You will throw the leica 21mm view finder right away once you put it together with Zeiss 21mm viewfinder, even it is 2/3 price of a ZM planar 50mm lens. that is what I can add to this thread.

21mm/4.5 and MP...interesting combo...

For fast I have the 35 Summilux ASPH. The 21/4.5 would be for occasional grab shots or scenics with a Gitzo fibrepod.

 

[noimmunity]

I would ultimately like to add a 21mm to my travel bullpen of 35mm S-Lux ASPH and 90mm Elmarit-M. 80% of my shooting is done with a 35mm FL and the 21mm at this point would not be expectd to get tons of use; however, I would like a good lens to match my others. For fast I have the 35 Summilux ASPH. The 21/4.5 would be for occasional grab shots or scenics with a Gitzo fibrepod

Nice travel combo!

 

[Roger Hicks]

I was also influenced by Raymond Depardon's book "Errance". He shot it with an ALPA and the 72mm XL S-A in 6x9 format.

As for the ZM Biogon 21f4.5 - the low speed can be a problem if you are shooting either slow film or low light stuff. However, if I am doing something like that, I would take a f2.8 along, or simply go "tripod" with it. Each time I look at the negs or prints from it, I am amazed at the quality it produces.

Dear Tom,

Yes, I have Errance too.

I also have an aversion to carrying two lenses of the same f.l., hence the dismissal for my purposes of the 21/4.5. On the other hand I've found that it's amazing just how long I can hand-hold a Biogon on a Leica; 1/15 quite often, 1/8 occasionally, without shake.

Ultimately, though, if I want the maximum possible quality -- well, guess what, it's the Biogon on the Alpa. They only made 200 Alpa-fit Biogons!

Cheers,

R.

 

[popobsd]

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21mm/4.5 and MP...interesting combo...

For fast I have the 35 Summilux ASPH. The 21/4.5 would be for occasional grab shots or scenics with a Gitzo fibrepod.

I seldom put C-Biogon 21mm F4.5 on tripod (less than 2%).
1/8s handheld is not a problem for me using this lens. and I do more than 60% blind shot on this combo. F2.8 Version is too long in bulk for me....

 

[Sam N]

Anyone know how the vignetting is with either ZM 21 on the R-D1? The CV 21/4 is pretty bad in this department.