ornate_wrasse
Moderator
It's hard to believe that I just bought a 21mm f3.4 Super Angulon lens, complete with hood and viewfinder, for $750. It was listed on Craigslist and the asking price was $800. I did manage to bargain him down a bit. I told him I really wanted a later serial number version of the lens, which is true. Eventually we agreed on $750 and I gave him my hard earned cash after inspecting the lens for the usual problems (e.g. fungus, haze, dust etc). Everything seemed fine to my untrained eyes. Even the viewfinder, complete with its own case, was in great shape.
Now all I have to do is to go out there and use it.
Ellen
Now all I have to do is to go out there and use it.
Ellen
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Congrats! That's quite a deal. Let us know what you think of it after you get the chance to take it for a spin.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
A really good deal! You will find the SA 21f3.4 an amazing lens. The center sharpness is probably up there with the best lenses of today. It has a bit of fall off in the edges - darkening of corners - but that is part of the period look.
The hood is rare in good shape - but you will probably damn the designer. When the hood is on the lens - the aperture ring is tricky to use. Kind of cramped in there.
I have a LOT of 21's - but nothing would get me to part with my SA. With tri X is screams 60's imagery. Check out Jean Loup Sieff's pictures - he was the undisputed master of using this lens.
Use it in close - a different view for sure. If you are shooting a lot of bl/w - try to find some of the red/orange/yellow filters for it. Truly dramatic scenery with these. You probably need the 48mm thread for it.
Post pictures please.
The hood is rare in good shape - but you will probably damn the designer. When the hood is on the lens - the aperture ring is tricky to use. Kind of cramped in there.
I have a LOT of 21's - but nothing would get me to part with my SA. With tri X is screams 60's imagery. Check out Jean Loup Sieff's pictures - he was the undisputed master of using this lens.
Use it in close - a different view for sure. If you are shooting a lot of bl/w - try to find some of the red/orange/yellow filters for it. Truly dramatic scenery with these. You probably need the 48mm thread for it.
Post pictures please.
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
I will do so as soon as I get a chance to use it.
I almost think I owe you $50 as it was because of your tip in another post to go for a later serial number due to the change in the lens coating
One question: I had thought that the lens prevented metering on the M6, but I did notice that one of the arrows shined brightly when I put the lens on my camera. Is this normal when the Super Angulon is mounted on the M6?
I'm really looking forward to using it!
Ellen
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
One of my ALL Time Fav's ...that & a few 50's
Enjoy a TRES Atmospheric Fun Lens
Take a peek at my flickr ...I have a 'SET' w/ the 21 SA
www.flickr.com/photos/helenartemishill/
Best - H
Enjoy a TRES Atmospheric Fun Lens
Take a peek at my flickr ...I have a 'SET' w/ the 21 SA
www.flickr.com/photos/helenartemishill/
Best - H
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
Thanks Helen! I noticed you used the lens in a number of excellent shots near the water. I'll attempt to do the same thing here, except it'll be the Willamette or the Columbia River. I love those wide sweeping views in your flicker set.
Ellen
Ellen
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Even at $800 it would have been a steal. Congratulations!
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
You did very well on price
I recently bought one cheap because it was realy moldy and dusty so I had to take it apart and clean it.
The 21mm finder was also very hazy.
It was easier than I thought. All went well and I didn't "scar" the lens or finder.
The finder was difficult to take apart because the front element was glued in. A small scalpel and a lot of patience got the job done.
This is the order of the components.
I recently bought one cheap because it was realy moldy and dusty so I had to take it apart and clean it.
The 21mm finder was also very hazy.
It was easier than I thought. All went well and I didn't "scar" the lens or finder.
The finder was difficult to take apart because the front element was glued in. A small scalpel and a lot of patience got the job done.
This is the order of the components.
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Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I will do so as soon as I get a chance to use it.
I almost think I owe you $50 as it was because of your tip in another post to go for a later serial number due to the change in the lens coating
One question: I had thought that the lens prevented metering on the M6, but I did notice that one of the arrows shined brightly when I put the lens on my camera. Is this normal when the Super Angulon is mounted on the M6?
I'm really looking forward to using it!
Ellen
Ellen, use the $50 for film instead! The M6 will kind of meter - but the deep set rear element will cover the meter cell. Exposures can be skewed. Experience will soon teach you how to use it and bypass the meter.
Tom
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
peter, the 21 is surprisingly easy to take apart. The rear module needs to be loc-tited in place though. the three screws holding it place can easily work themselves loose.
The finder is complex and kudo's for your successful disassembly. At times I had to "boil" it to get the glue to release the front element.
The finder is complex and kudo's for your successful disassembly. At times I had to "boil" it to get the glue to release the front element.
maddoc
... likes film again.
US$ 750 is a very very good price, especially considering it came with hood and finder !! The hood alone sells for 150 on eBay .... I second what Tom said about the filter for the SA:
Red filter
Yellow filter:
Kodachrome
You can use also series vii filter inside the hood, very useful if you also have a 35mm Summilux-M pre-ASPH.
Tom and Peter, thanks a lot for the photos and tips on disassembling the SA21 !! My copy might need some cleaning (and for sure some attention regarding the aperture mechanism) ...
cheers,
Gabor
Red filter
Yellow filter:
Kodachrome
You can use also series vii filter inside the hood, very useful if you also have a 35mm Summilux-M pre-ASPH.
Tom and Peter, thanks a lot for the photos and tips on disassembling the SA21 !! My copy might need some cleaning (and for sure some attention regarding the aperture mechanism) ...
cheers,
Gabor
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
Thanks Tom. I did use a lower hold Loctite product when I re assembled.
All I did was remove the elements and clean. I didn't disassemble any of the the mechanical part of the lens.
All I did was remove the elements and clean. I didn't disassemble any of the the mechanical part of the lens.
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
Mike Riches
Established
Nice BUY . I look forward to seeing your shoots in the Darkroom . Tom is right . With this wide of a lens its all about getting close and the foreground .
Can't beleave you got that finder with this deal .
Mike Riches
Can't beleave you got that finder with this deal .
Mike Riches
Beemermark
Veteran
While I didn't get such a great deal I did pick one up (with hood) for $800 last week. What I failed to realize is that it doesn't meter with any camera. I have an M7 so this is a huge disappointment. I have the VC 21/4 and am trying to decide if I want to send the SA back to the dealer I bought it from.
Opinions on which one to keep?
Opinions on which one to keep?
I think your decision would be based on how important to you is the M7’s in-camera metering and auto exposure... with this lens. Keeping in mind that TTL metering with very wide angle lenses can be fooled by bright light sources that are hard to exclude from the lens’s wide view... like a bright sky... So, under the circumstances in which you’ll most use the 21mm lens, will the M7’s metering work satisfactorily, conveniently; or if not, would a separate meter be more suitable anyway?
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
Hi Mike,
I'm about halfway through my first roll and should have it ready to develop this week.
I kept your advice in mind when using this lens. I am using Legacy Pro film (Fuji Neopan 400) for this first roll.
See you soon,
Ellen
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Ellen, one solution to the incompatibility of the 21SA to the M7 would be to re-sell the 21SA and pick up a C Biogon 21mm f4.5. It does not have the "character" of the SA - but it is probably the best 21mm lens you can find. Perfectly rectilinear, very sharp and with moderate edge fall off.
Considering what you paid for your SA and finder/hood/caps etc - you should almost be able to swap across the board for a C Biogon. The finder for the SA is good, but the best 21 finder around is the Zeiss 21 finder. Brighter, nicer contrast and, yes, a bit bigger. There are more people who want to buy SA than there are sellers - so ho;d out for a package swap.
I do hope that you get to "love" the 21SA though. It is a lens with some unique characteristics and one of the classic Leica lenses.
Considering what you paid for your SA and finder/hood/caps etc - you should almost be able to swap across the board for a C Biogon. The finder for the SA is good, but the best 21 finder around is the Zeiss 21 finder. Brighter, nicer contrast and, yes, a bit bigger. There are more people who want to buy SA than there are sellers - so ho;d out for a package swap.
I do hope that you get to "love" the 21SA though. It is a lens with some unique characteristics and one of the classic Leica lenses.
Instantclassic
Hans
Hmmm... I would love to tell the price I got my SA one year ago with hood, finder and a set of leica UV,red, orange, green and yellow filter.
I am also extremely happy with my SA/3.4 together with my german Summilux pre-asp 35mm. Nice team with filters in common.
My Contax IIIa with Sonnar 5cm 1.5 teams up very well despite the rivaling RF cultures.
The Summicron 90mm v.2 adds up in this extended family of great gear.
I am also extremely happy with my SA/3.4 together with my german Summilux pre-asp 35mm. Nice team with filters in common.
My Contax IIIa with Sonnar 5cm 1.5 teams up very well despite the rivaling RF cultures.
The Summicron 90mm v.2 adds up in this extended family of great gear.
daymadi.t
Newbie
Good evening everyone ,
It cost three times today!
I just got it this week for 2.000 usd ! :bang:
It SN is 1967xxxx but I'm very satisfied
ww.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leica-Super-Angulon-21mm-f3-4-Lens-with-Hood-21mm-Viewfinder-Boxed-Mint-/200965913072?nma=true&si=ID%252BMMBxunshcNv1Z%252B8FgpraOcQw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Here my first test : Super Angulon 21mm/3.4 _ 1/60-f:3.4 -160
ASA _ Leica M9. Hand held .
daymadi.com
