KR reviews 21mm f/4P

[DrewGodin]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/voigtlander/21mm.htm

"[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]This Voigtländer 21mm lens is the best 21mm lens ever made for Leica cameras, regardless of price."

First the 15mm, now the 21mm. It seems KR is really taking a shine to some Voigtlander lenses. Although you must take everything he says with a grain of salt, it is interesting. KR has a habit of either praising something, or completely condemning it. Nevertheless, a fun read as long as you understand it's one man's opinion. Any thoughts? I own this lens and enjoy it very much.
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[notturtle]

QC is an issue with this lens. There are gems and dogs out there. Some may be spectacular, but others less so. I am not convinced by anything Ken writes; it all smacks of an agenda and a complete lack of impartiality. My ZM 21 2.8 trounces my CV 21 P in every way apart from size.

 

[splitimageview]

"This Voigtländer 21mm lens is the best 21mm lens ever made for Leica cameras, regardless of price."

That's because he's not including the Contax G cameras, where it would be the 21mm Biogon. 😉

 

[Kontrapunkt2006]

As I wrote in another post, you might want to read his general views on wide-angle photography:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-...ide-lenses.htm

That's really strange ... and the photos are just silly, in my opinion ...

 

[Krosya]

It's a good lens, but I dont think its the best 21 lens for Leica. Lenses like Zeiss ZM and Avenon come to mind as being better. So I'd correct him and say - it's the best 21mm lens made for Leica FOR THE PRICE.

 

[aizan]

cut him some slack. he's new to the whole rangefinder thing.

 

[Palaeoboy]

It's a good lens, but I dont think its the best 21 lens for Leica. Lenses like Zeiss ZM and Avenon come to mind as being better. So I'd correct him and say - it's the best 21mm lens made for Leica FOR THE PRICE.

I have replied to this topic in another forum but I thought I would write here as well. Im not one for agreeing with Ken but if you read through what he is saying he isnt far from the mark (Keeping in mind he admits to not trying the Zeiss 21's). He says its the best 21mm for Leica at any price but some automatically assume he is referring to optics alone rather than the lens as an "overall" package. He admits that the Leica ASPH is slightly better in the corners wide open. But for size versatility and optical quality he believes it to be the better compromise and more in keeping with the compact Barnack spirit and in this respect I agree with him. The compact nature of the lens and its ability to take 39mm filters like every other Leica lens in my set (from 21 to 135) make it the best choice for me as well. Amateur Photographer gave it 18/20 in optical quality with the Leica ASPH achieving 19/20. It is pretty close, the Voigtlander as Tom has often pointed out has less distortion than the Leica ASPH does as well.

Although I believe its the best compromise between Size and Optical Quality there are ever so slightly better optical 21's out there, the ASPH and the 2 Zeiss but there isnt much in it. Its still a better proposition to the older Leica 21's and I must disgree with Krosya the Avenon is noticeably behind the Voigtlander in Center and edge performance and flare resistance, the only area the Avenon may have the edge is mechanical build quality.

My overall preference in 21's with size being a important factor

1/ Voigtlander 21mm P
2/ Zeiss 21mm f4.5
3/ Zeiss 21mm f2.8
3/ Leica 21mm ASPH
4/ Leica 21mm Pre-ASPH
5/ Avenon 21mm f2.8

PS Digitalintrigue is right the G 21 is a terrific 21 for they money. Unfortunately its not M mount.

 

[mich8261]

As I wrote in another post, you might want to read his general views on wide-angle photography:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-...ide-lenses.htm

That's really strange ... and the photos are just silly, in my opinion ...

I like the first image, the one of the salt flats in Death Valley. Maybe it's because I've been there.