CV 21/4 Color-Skopar Opinions

[Rafael]

The lust thread got me!!! 😀 After starting the thread with my interest in a CL, I started to think seriously about other gear that I long to own. When RXMD urged me to bring a wide angle lens along on my upcoming trip, it hit me. I have had in mind to buy a 21mm lens for my M4 for quite a while now. And right now, I might just be able to scrape the money together for a CV 21/4 Color-Skopar. The lens seems to get really good reviews. Any thoughts on its performance? Does the big rectangular hood adequately deal with the flare issues? Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[kully]

I bought one last month and shot seven rolls of Provia 100/400 with it on holiday.

I've never used a lens this wide before so I made some super silly mistakes.

I completely underestimated how the perspective makes the scene look like on film for many frames. I also noticed that the R2a was underexposing quite a few frames because the sensor was seeing so much sky, again this was my fault.

Apart from that, I'm delighted with the colour, sharpness, smallness &c.

I actually used it too much, setting it to the hyper-focal and snapping away.

And, I had absolutely no problems with flare.

 

[Rafael]

And, I had absolutely no problems with flare.

Were you using the rectangular hood?

 

[wrenhunter]

I like mine, too. I am only using the "built-in" hood and have not noticed the lens to be too flare-sensitive (though I am not, either).

Here are some shots of mine with this lens.

 

[kully]

No hood and no flare visible (but I havn't cracked open the loupe).

It has a mini 'hood' on it anyway.

I would probably go for the 24mm if I was buying again, it's a lot easier to compose with.

 

[sockeyed]

It's a great little lens, but it crossed a threshold of distortion that I don't get in my CV 25/4. With my 25mm, it almost doesn't look like my images were taken with a wide angle, but the 21mm is much more dramatic - perspective is stronger and people's heads get egg-shaped near the edges of the frame. It's still fully rectilinear though (all CV lenses are, even the 12mm).

I ended up staying with a 25 and selling the 21. I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a lens.

 

[kully]

I completely agree with 'sockeyed', it's great for taking portraits of people near the middle and then showing a huge amount of background, but I got a telling off from the missus when she say herself on the edge of a slide...

PS You happen to have the best avatar photo ever known. Please tell me it wasn't staged.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Any thoughts on its performance? Does the big rectangular hood adequately deal with the flare issues? Any input would be much appreciated.

It is an excellent lens for the money.

virtues:

1) well built;
2) compact;
3) sharp;
4) good ergonomics;
5) it includes the awesome 21mm viewfinder (which is way better than any Leica 21 or the multi 21/24/28 viewfinder)

weaknesses:

1) not as sharp wide open as Leica 21/asph (slightly unfair competition given price difference); but still sharp enough that you won't notice the difference unless printing large and side by side with a 21 elmarit shot;

2) throw is shorter than the Leica, so pre-focus setting is less convenient. The distance markings are closer together than the Leica, much easier to accidentally move.

3) a stop slower which really hinders it a bit as a general street photography lens (although if you push film to 1600, you can pretty much use it as a point and shot on hyperfocal )

Regarding the hood, it works great.

If you don't shoot 21 the majority of the time, it is an amazing alternative to the Leica 21/asph. Or the Zeiss 21mm on price alone.

regards

 

[rover]

I should use mine more.

Here are some of my shots.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=4788

 

[Rafael]

Thanks for the detailed response Tom. I probably won't use this lens the majority of the time. My main lenses are 35 and 50. I am intrigued, however, by Sockeyed's suggestion that I go for the 25 instead. I have had a 21 in mind because I once borrowed a 21mm super-angulon and loved it. But I have never shot with a 25 before. Do others think that the 25 would make a better street shooting lens than the 21? What about the fact that it is not rangefinder coupled?

 

[Rafael]

Thanks to Rover and Wrenhunter for posting the photos. They are very helpful (and very good!).

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

You are probably already aware that the 25 is NOT rangefinder-coupled 🙂

The 21mm is.

 

[rover]

21 can work on the street.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Rafael,

If you wish to see the CV 21 in action as a travel / documentary lens, fellow member Alan Soon has some excellent shots. Most of his work is done on a combo of the CV 40 and the CV 21.

His website/work is here:

http://monsoon.smugmug.com/

cheers

 

[Rafael]

Thanks Tom. Alan has some sensational shots!

 

[dcsang]

I adore the 21mm..

Some folks love the 25mm.. others, ya know, the "I love wide angle" poseurs 😉 think that 28mm is "wide"..

but for me.. 21mm is just the beginning of wide 😀 Get the 21mm.. you won't be disappointed if you like street photography (or if you enjoy high iso / available light stuff) 😀

Dave

 

[rbiemer]

Last year, I bought a Bessa R and several lenses. I have since sold the camera and all the lenses except for the CV 21. I like it quite a lot. Don't have the rectangular hood; I just use the built in round hood that it comes with and have to work very hard to see much flare.
Don't have a lot of photos in my RFF gallery but three of my favorites are shots I took using the 21.
My walking around kit was for a long time this spring the CV 21 and a 90 Elmar. And that worked pretty well for me.
One last thing about these lenses: I suspect that if you get one and don't like it, it probably will be easy to pass along at a small(if any) loss.
Go for it!
Rob

 

[bmoc]

I'm on the fence with the CV 21. It's far from a regular lens for me unless I am traveling, and then it sees quite a bit of use--in fact, it becomes a very useful tool to capture a sense of place whether it be a landscape or an architectural interior (I used to have a CZ 25, but sold it, because the field of view was too narrow).

CV 21 has got good contrast and sharpness. Has some falloff in the corners and softness, but really not bad. It does flare--I don't have the rectangular hood, but I hear it helps. I've had some illumination balance issues lately (don't know if it's natural polarization or a problem with the lens).

Anyway, when I'm looking for a lens, I find seeing pictures helps me most, so here're some random ones I've made with the CV 21.

 

[bmoc]

a couple more...

a couple more...

a couple more pics.

 

[bobomoon]

Anyway, when I'm looking for a lens, I find seeing pictures helps me most...

Nice pics bmoc. Based on those, a ringing endorsement, I think.