In Search of the 21mm

[Bike Tourist]

I have decided to get a 21mm lens for my M 262. I could easily be satisfied with the ones in the f3.4 or f4 range, Leica or Voigtlander. But I understand they may create problems with digital cameras due to the rear element's close proximity to the sensor.

Moving on up to f2.8 there is a good range of possibilities and a good range of prices, too. It would be nice to have the Leica lens's 6-bit coding, but the older Leica lenses and current Voigtlander lenses are much cheaper.

Knowing that RFF people are never lacking in opinions, I defer to you guys. What do you think?

 

[jszokoli]

I'd totally recommend the Leica f3.4 SEM, it is really the last word in 21mm lenses for me.
Joe

 

[madNbad]

What about the new 21 3.5 Voigtlander VM Color-Skopar ASPH?

 

[Glenn2]

I have the 21mm Super Angulon which gets used a lot, but have never gone Leica digital. Apparently they (21mm SA) don’t play well on digital sensors due to the shallow angle of rays at the image edges. Some people claim you can correct this in software but I remain a skeptic.

If I was looking for a 21 to use on Leica the new Cosina f/3.5 would be top of my list. One of the new f/1.4 lenses would be at the bottom, too big.
With a 21 I’ve found that hand holding at slow speeds isn’t an issue. What’s that old rule of thumb, or rather shutter finger..... try to stay above one over the focal length.

Glenn

 

[jordan.dickinson]

I also vote for the 21mm f3.4 Super Elmar ASPH. I have one on my M262 and actually just used it yesterday on the beach in Encinitas, CA. It was the first day the beach was open so people were out and about. The 21mm SEM is relatively compact, and the image quality is amazing. I've never been a huge fan of external finders, and though I do use one in this particular case, it's the only lens "worth it" to me enough to frame that way. I'm sure others can speak more to the Voigtlander/Zeiss 21mm experience, but for me, the 21mm SEM is just about perfect when you need it.



Anyway, here's a few shots with the exact combination you're asking about, taken less than 24 hrs ago. If you'd like some raw files, I'm happy to send some along as well. Just send me a private message












Best of luck on your search...

 

[Bike Tourist]

You’ve made a compelling case for the SEM. I would probably have to search for a used one.

 

[WJJ3]

Knowing that RFF people are never lacking in opinions

Ain't that the truth! 😀


I am happily using the VM 21mm f3.5 on my M9 and am very satisfied. This lens is tuned to the Leica M sensor and does not need a lens code to correct color shifts i.e. Italian flag. I shoot mine uncoded and occasionally apply some falloff correction in post when I feel the image needs it.


It is small, sharp, distortion free, has fantastic build and handling...there is nothing to dislike about this lovely little lens.

@ 0.5m close focus

On the street

On color film

On B&W film

 

[oftheherd]

I don't use Leica cameras so it would be wrong to try to answer your question. But you might want to contact the Head Bartender by phone or email. As you might expect he is very knowledgeable and can give you excellent advice.

That doesn't mean the RFF "...never lacking opinions ..." are without merit. 😀

 

[Godfrey]

I have decided to get a 21mm lens for my M 262. I could easily be satisfied with the ones in the f3.4 or f4 range, Leica or Voigtlander. But I understand they may create problems with digital cameras due to the rear element's close proximity to the sensor.

Moving on up to f2.8 there is a good range of possibilities and a good range of prices, too. It would be nice to have the Leica lens's 6-bit coding, but the older Leica lenses and current Voigtlander lenses are much cheaper.

Knowing that RFF people are never lacking in opinions, I defer to you guys. What do you think?

If I were buying a 21mm M-mount lens at present, I'd be looking very seriously at the new Voigtländer Nokton 21mm f/4. Stephen Gandy has it available to order on CameraQuest at the link I included. A person who's opinion I trust tested one and wrote a short review of it on another forum, and the photos it made look terrific. At about $1000, it's the least expensive lens with that kind of speed and quality you can find.

G

 

[Bob Michaels]

Bike Tourist: my process has always been to buy the lowest cost lens that I think has a chance of doing the job and trying it out. If it works, I am happy that I did not pay more. If it cannot do the job, then I resell it losing the minimum for the tryout and move a step up the economic ladder.

For a 21mm, I bought the old CV 21mm long ago. I concluded it does not hold back my photography in the least. So I am happy that I did not pay 2X for a Zeiss or 3-4X for a Leica lens.

I am content to pay more to insure that I start off with something I am sure will do the job when it comes to items with lower cost than lenses. Just not when I get into that price range.

Now I will admit that I am not brand or status conscious when it comes to photo gear. I only evaluate cameras and lenses by the images they help me create.

 

[james.liam]

For digital, the 21 SEM is the pinnacle of design for that FL.
The old 4/21 LTM? Good on film, decent on a Monochrome, and like the Zeiss 4,5/21 C, no longer relevant for color digital sensors.
Sorry 'Bob Michaels'.

 

[rfaspen]

I too am wanting a 21 in M mount. I currently have the LTM CV 21/4 -- cute little lens and no slouch. I also have the Leica 21/2.8 pre-asph elmarit -- massive dog of a lens that I don't use.

The Leica SEM 21/3.4 is the ultimate 21, any mount. I want one. I can't really afford one (new or used).

The new CV 21/3.5 is the next best thing for me, but I absolutely hate the stick focus. I know because my LTM 21/4 has the stick. I much, much prefer the Leica style tab.

All too bad because the CV 21/3.5 is (1) an excellent performer, (2) affordable, (3) affordable as new, and (4) a great size and form factor.

 

[kangaroo2012]

I have the Zeiss 21/2.8 on a Bessa 4A and the 21 mm built in viewfinder is a dream.
On the M10 I use the SEM 21/3.4 and often guess framing. I have the 21 Voigtlander finder as it is cheaper to lose than the Leica. Both lenses give exceptional results. The Bessa 4 is only used with B&W film home processed and printed.
Kangaroo 2012

 

[Doug]

I had the Leica 2.8/21mm Elmarit ASPH and the 4.5/21mm Zeiss C-Biogon. While both were great on film, a real pain on digital. Sold them and got the SEM, pretty happy with it on my M-D 262 and M 240 and M8. I don't know about the newer Voigtlanders but have read good things about them.

Here's the SEM wide open 1/45sec on M240

 

[andyturk]

Wow. Great photo!

 

[Kent]

My recommendation:

TTArtisan 1.5/21

https://retrocamera.blog/2020/04/02/ttartisan-1-5-21/
(in German)

 

[ruby.monkey]

This is with the VC 21mm f/4 Color-Skopar LTM on an M-E Typ 220, shot at f/4:

L1001372 by Jean-Yves, on Flickr

No correction applied for vignetting or distortion. If you don't need speed, I'd say it's a pretty nice little lens.

 

[Bike Tourist]

My recommendation:

TTArtisan 1.5/21

https://retrocamera.blog/2020/04/02/ttartisan-1-5-21/
(in German)

Ich habe das TTArtisan 1.5/21 nicht gewissen, Danke.

 

[Crazy Leica Fox]

I've used a variety of 21mm rangefinder lenses. My ZM C-Biogon 21/4.5 and Contax G (converted) 21/2.8 are not friendly to modern, color, digital sensors. Which leads me to my most-used: the SEM 21/3.4. This lens has some problems when adapting to mirrorless cameras like Sony, but it performs great on Leicas and is one of my favorite landscape lenses, sharp into the corners.

I also have a VM Ultron 21/1.8, which has been useful for low-light and indoors, especially when subjects are moving a bit. It can also do well into the edges and corners when stopped down, but there is a bit of field curvature. It's large though with its built-in hood, and the new Nokton 21/1.4 is not only brighter and sharper, but also smaller when its hood is detached. I will probably put my Ultron up for auction at some point and upgrade to the Nokton.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

Voigtlander 21mm f1.4 Nokton VM lens - Sony A7II

All the best,
Mike