A "do you reckon Leica will make this" thread...

[TJV]

I've been thinking a lot lately about getting a 21mm lens to round off my kit. Currently, the three that catch my eye are the Zeiss ZM C 21mm f4.5, the Leica 21mm f2,8 and the Zeiss ZM f2.8. I know Voigtlander make a well regarded product but, and I'll be honest
here, I'm a snob...

Anyway, I'm thinking that surely Leica must be planning a slower speed 21mm lens to round off their "cheap" lens line up. They've got the slower 24mm, the 28mm Elmarit ASPH and the rest of the Summarit line. Now, if digital didn't exist I'd jump on either of the Zeiss lenses, in particular the C, and save me some coin. They're more than up to the task. But I'm also open to the fact that I'll one day get myself another M8 replacement and I'll appreciate proper 6bit coding and, therefore, proper firmware development of corner corrections. I just can't be bothered fluffing around with self coding or sending it to JM. After all, the corrections are developed to sync with specific LEICA lenses.

21mm would be a little used lens for me on film but almost a lens cap on a 1.33x crop digi. 28mm EFOV is perfect for me and the added depth of field I'd get from a true 21mm would be welcome in my work. In a way, I'm just building my kit to fit in with future purchases. The framelines the 24mm lenses bring up on the M8 aren't really wide enough for my tastes but I know they made the entry 24mm Elmar to take advantage of the fact it's the widest you can go on the M8 without using an external finder - actually, I like using an external finder when shooting that wide.

What do you guys reckon? Does it make sense to assume Leica are developing an entry 21mm lens for the M mount? I'd love an f3.5 but perhaps f4 - f4.5 is more realistic.

 

[maddoc]

I think the new Super Elmar-M 18/3.8 is the answer to your question. 21mm is very close to 18mm so my guess is that a slow 21mm won't be released that soon....

 

[Al Kaplan]

If you're a REAL snob you'd find yourself a nice 21mm f/3.4 Super Angulon. It's a cool looking lens and with the big rectanular plastic hood looks really cool. Then you'll be able to tell folks that you got the 21 with the best central sharpness along with very smooth rendition of any 21, while still giving your pictures that prized vintage look. I love mine!

I bought a 21 Voigtlander for my son and that is one hell of a good lens. You can't beat the price. Maybe it's time to hang up your snob cap?

 

[Artorius]

If you're a REAL snob you'd find yourself a nice 21mm f/3.4 Super Angulon. It's a cool looking lens and with the big rectanular plastic hood looks really cool. Then you'll be able to tell folks that you got the 21 with the best central sharpness along with very smooth rendition of any 21, while still giving your pictures that prized vintage look. I love mine!

I bought a 21 Voigtlander for my son and that is one hell of a good lens. You can't beat the price. Maybe it's time to hang up your snob cap?

While not a Leica snob, I am Leica orientated. I wanted to try the 21mm on the M8 and not sure I would like that FL, I went for the CV 21. It is a small but a fantastic lens and for the price can't be beat. I like the FL, so I just may be looking for the Leica version.

 

[TJV]

I say I'm a snob but the reality is I like supporting Leica. The Zeiss lenses are just brilliant value for money and the CV lenses are obviously very good too and very cheap compared to even the ZM lenses.

As for the new 18mm super wide lens from Leica, it's just way too wide for me on film. 21 I would use, 18mm I wouldn't. Does anyone else feel the same way?

I've often liked the idea of a Super Angulon but the fact that it doesn't meter with my M7 puts me off. Plus there's no code option that would work if I went digi. I like the more modern glass anyway. I will say though that it really is a small little beauty isn't it!!!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Some love 18mm. My wife almost never uses 21 but loves 18, especially on her ZI SW body.

In response to the original question, a 21/3.8 makes sense in the context of the 18 and 24mm lenses, especially if they use a common mount. Then again, that would be 3x 21mm and 3x 24mm, which is an inventory problem for dealers. Inventory overload is why they changed the viewfinder options to à la carte only; with 3x viewfinder options, dealers' body inventory was tripled.

Cheers,

R.

 

[hans voralberg]

Get the Elmarit and save your brain a few neuron 😉

 

[TJV]

Get the Elmarit and save your brain a few neuron 😉

Haha, yeah but then my wallet would be so light it would actually levitate!

It's an interesting comment about having too much of a range per for focal length. I totally agree it would be hard for dealers but I wonder how many sales Leica loses to Zeiss and Voightlander in areas where they don't have a comparable product. Although, writing this I realize they're only really behind on the 21mm front. Perhaps it's no big deal to them plus I suspect M8 users would rather go to a 24mm equiv. rather than 28mm if they are forced to use an external viewfinder.

Anyone out there got the new Leica 24mm f3.8? Could be a good compromise for someone like me.

 

[ghart]

Anyone out there got the new Leica 24mm f3.8? Could be a good compromise for someone like me.

I have had it for a couple of months, and it's superb. Just the right focal length for me. I use film, and I bought then sold the Zeiss 21/4.5 because it was too wide for my taste. Small, excellent to handle.