Do I really need a lens that wide (21mm)?

[erikhaugsby]

I'm borderline ready to by a Voigtlander 21 f/4 for my M2, but I'm really not sure if I'd be comfortable with something that wide. So, I'm wondering if anybody could link me to a gallery or two that has a handful of pictures taken with the 21?

I know I don't need it. I really do.
This stupid GAS is killing me.

 

[Trius]

EVERYONE needs a 21! My first 21 was the SA 21/3.4, and it got me hooked on the focal length. Next was the Zuiko 21/2, and I don't think I could live without one now.

 

[sooner]

Just a suggestion...you might enter the gallery and then do a search (within he gallery only, not the threads) for 21mm to pull up shots using this focal length. Funny, 'cause after seeing a used 15mm in a store today I was wondering the same about that even wider length. Good luck deciding.....

 

[egpj]

I have one :

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=41076&cat=500&ppuser=2225

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=26147&cat=500&ppuser=2225

I only have a couple of examples of the 21 in my gallery and far more examples of the 28 Summicron. 21 comes in handy for me sometimes but the 28 gets far more use.

Regards.

 

[sherm]

Wide is great........ But be sure to practice with it to learn how to use it. A lot of photogs think they need a wide and then get some weird results with it, get frustrated:bang: and then sell or trade it before they realize it's full potential. My advice... BE PATIENT you will be rewarded!!

Good Luck

Scott

 

[erikhaugsby]

Wow, sooner, how ironic fate is.
I was looking at the list of used equipment at my local camera shop (National Camera, in Golden Valley) and saw that they have a VC 15mm with caps, finder, etc. for $285; the 21mm (new) from Steven Gandy is $40 more. Both of them would need a LTM->M adapter, and if I get that 21 I'd really like the rectangle hood.

Daaaamn.

 

[Bryce]

21mm is wide???

 

[erikhaugsby]

21mm is wide???

Right now my widest lens is a 50mm. I do have a 35 coming in the mail, if that counts.
Yeah, for me almost anything can masquerade as wide.

 

[sherm]

Right now my widest lens is a 50mm. I do have a 35 coming in the mail, if that counts.
Yeah, for me almost anything can masquerade as wide.

Incredible how people see things differently....... 50 or 75 is almost a "short tele" for me 🙂

Scott

 

[dazedgonebye]

I've shot so much at 16mm (equivalent) on my DSLR that 21 doesn't seem so wide.
I know I'm going to have to have the 21mm to feel right with my kit.

 

[Bryce]

I definitely consider the 50mm as a short telephoto. Kinda makes sense, it's well over a 35mm frame's diagonal (43mm) and especially long when you crop to a standard paper size (38mm). Who started this fallacy, anyway? Oh yeah, it was Leica...

 

[rbiemer]

21 is wonderful! I have a bunch of photos in my gallery here(My Gallery) that i shot using my CV 21mm lens. In fact, I bought a Bessa R and several lenses. Used the camera for a while and ultimately sold the camera and the other lenses. BUT, I kept the 21.
You know you want it....
Rob

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

I am probably suffering from lack of artistic vision because I have a hard time using a 21mm lens. 35mm and 50mm are my most used lens type in rangefinder photography.

Having said that, my avataar is shot with a 21mm Biogon.

Wayne

 

[Graham Line]

The 21 is really great for getting up close in crowds or in confined spaces. Quite the eye-opener but easy to use once you get the hang of it. Because I'm old, set in my ways and not Al Kaplan, I really prefer using lenses wider than a 28 on an SLR instead of an RF. The aircraft and ship photos in this set were taken with a Nikkor 20/3.5 Ais. http://www.flickr.com/photos/74312783@N00/tags/20mmf35ais/

 

[alan davus]

The CV21 is a great lens and once you learn how to use it you'll use it often. I virtually never focus with it , I just put it in the zone and voila great shots every time. One tip though, get the optional lens hood as it's susceptible to flare.

 

[gareth]

Yes wide is great. Recently got a 16-35 for my SLR, fantastic fun.

 

[tom_f77]

Some people manage great things with a 21. Have a look at some of Alan Soon's galleries (I choose this one because I remember him posting it to CVUG as nearly all 21/4):

Great work with a 21

Tom

 

[thafred]

as others have pointed out the 21 is a great focal length! I´ve used nothing but 50ies and after briefly owning a russian 28 i´ve decidet to go for an 21 Skopar instead...kinda hard to use 50 / 21 together but one gets used to it..

I use it mainly for street shooting (you have to be reeeaaly close to the people) and for some landscape/cityscape (excellent fl for that):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57493810@N00/tags/21mm/show/

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Erik,

Alan Soon's gallery (mostly 21CV and 40CV)

http://monsoon.smugmug.com/