21mm Focal Length

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bwidjaja

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I currently have the following focal length in my RF arsenal
15mm
28mm
40mm
90mm

I am debating whether 21mm is really a good addition. What question should I be answering to help make a decision?
 
As always, do you need it or do you just want to have it? It's OK if you answer yes to either ... or both.

The 21 is much wider than 28, at least more than 7mm might make you think.

A 15 can be too wide to the point where it almost becomes a specialist lens.

It can be difficult to say whether it will fill a gap, as everyone's approach to photography is different. If possible, you might want to borrow one and shoot a roll. Then judge for yourself whether you might want a 21mm lens.
 
For ***MY*** film RF needs, I only shoot 3 focal lengths: 21mm, 35mm, and 50mm. So, for me, a 21mm is essential. Another FL that I used to shoot was 25mm, but decided that I preferred a 21mm.

Note that none of the above FL's match any of the FL's in your current kit. I don't know if that means anything, but unless you see an absolute need for an FL between 15mm and 28mm for ***YOU*** just stick with what you have.

Then again, it's your money.... 🙂
 
Personally, I'd add a nice version one or two summilux 50 before I did the 21.
You can get a version 1 for the same money as a Zeiss 21, and have two more stops...
Just a thought.
 
I'm with a few others here - 21mm is great length, very wide, but without the excessive wide feel of the 15mm (which I use and enjoy but it's a specialist lens). Again, only for me, the 28mm length is the weird in-between one, 24mm is very good compromise between.

If expense is the issue, there are few complaints about the CV21 at a reasonable price. At worst, you could pick that up to try it out, and re-sell at a minor loss if you decide to splash on the Zeiss or Leitz glass.
 
What do you need for your vision? What focal length are you "seeing" in? When you're out shooting, what focal length would just make the shot? What shots are you missing because you don't have the right focal length?

My lens purchase were always automatic-I needed that lens in order for the camera to see what I was seeing...
 
When I was at the paper, I had a 24. I wished it had been wider. There wasn't one time I didn't wish it was a 17/18 or 20.

For my vision, I'd take the 15, a 21, a 35, a 50 and a 85-100 (doesn't matter to me.) But that's just me.
 
I had 15mm (CV), 25mm (Zeiss), 28mm (Elmarit).... sold them all and are happy with my 21/3.4.

21-35-50-90 is what I now use and don't miss any other focal length (film only).
 
Don Parsons ir right! It's about how YOU see. We all seem to have certain angles of view hard wired into our brains, projecting "bright frames" around the subjects we're seeing. What bright frames do you see? 15? 21? some people even have problems with the 50 being too wide for their view of the world.
 
Thanks all for the advice and inputs. I guess being "new" to the film format with prime lenses, I would stick with what i have for now until i can better figure out the right focal length that work with me. So far, the choices on the lens that I have were primarily based on great reviews of other people, namely:
CV 15mm f4.5
CV 28mm f3.5
CV 40mm f1.4 SC
CV 90mm f3.5
 
Now slowly repeat: "I do not need a 21!" "I do not need a 35!" "I'll survive nicely without a 50!" "Nobody really NEEDS a 75!" You'll be just fine, you will.

Worst case? You can crop from the next widest lens in your line-up. See? I just gave you a FREE 50/1.4 and a free 75/1.4. Such a deal! Go buy some film.
 
I love 21mm FL. I tried 25mm and it didnt work for me. Same with 15mm. For some shots 21mm is amazing. I took my 21mm ZM on a trip to Turkey along with 28 and 50 and it was a very nice setup. So, I'd vote - get it, try it and see what you think.
 
Hi Berhen,
Thats a VERY nice set you've got there. Stick with it and see what they all do. But, beware! If you hang around here on RFF you will not be able to resist spending every cent you have on the high-end stuff. Its the Curse of the Noctilux, or some around here would call it G.A.S.. 🙂
Jamie
 
you need to figure out which focal lengths are yours, in that you can see through them and see possibilities with them. note that this is usually a "to what extent" situation with a focal length. i see possibilities to a greater extent with a 35 or 50 lens than i would with a 21mm or 75mm lens. yet i see more possibilities with the 75 than the 21; you need to try these FLs and decide this for yourself. I have become a 35 50 75 man in terms of my own vision; in RF lenses my hope is for a fast 21.....but my personal accountant has said "enjoy what you have"; so a fast 21 is not going to be mine anytime soon. But we will see, perhaps joe or Frank will read this and start taking a collection toward a summilux 21/1,4 asph for a sad-sack like me ;P
 
my advice is to buy the summilux 1.4/21mm, and if it isn't getting much use you can flick it to me. please pm me for my postal address.

seriously though, i used to work with a 35, 50, and a 90mm. i have recently gone to a 35 and 75 combination. i also have the 15mm, but as previously mentioned, it is more of a specialty lens for me. if i were to add one more lens, it would be the 21mm but i'm not sure how much i would use it. my personal thinking is that two or three main lenses is ideal. i don't think that have a bag of differing focal lengths is neccessarily a good thing. i work on the KISS theory.
 
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