Leica Elmar-M 24mm f3.8

[TJV]

Anyone out there using one of these new lenses?
Can someone post some results and impressions?

As you can all probably tell, I'm in the hunt for a new wide. Either a 21mm or 24mm. 21mm makes sense as it's that little bit of a bigger gap from my 28mm but I'm not one for 21mm on film (which I'm solely using at the moment.) Was thinking that 21mm would make more sense if I decided to go to an M8 in the future as 28mm is my current favourite and 21mm = an EFOV of 28mm on a 1.33 crop.

T

 

[sleepyhead]

Yes, would be interesting to hear - also for those who may ahve handled the newer f/3.8 and the 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit - HOW MUCH OF A SIZE / ERGONOMICS DIFFERENCE IS THERE REALLY???

I can't decide between the two. If the newer one really isn't that much smaller, then will get the f/2.8 for the speed.

 

[ghart]

I have experience of both Leica 24 mm lenses, and I ended up buying the f/3.8 Elmar on grounds of size, and because I don't need the wider aperture for what I use the lens for, which is landscape/architecture. The front element of the f/2.8 is clearly larger—the f/3.8 is close to the size and weight of the 50 cron, which means that it fits in a pocket better. Its performance is of course superb. YMMV of course, but if you don't need speed, go for the f/3.8!

The choice between 21 mm and 24 mm is probably more difficult and more personal. I use film exclusively and I first bought the Zeiss C Biogon 21/4.5 lens, which is small and an excellent performer. However it was too wide for my liking, so I sold it and bought the Leica 24/3.8. It's a good idea to try both focal lengths before purchase, if you can.

George

 

[sleepyhead]

George - thanks for the info - your comparison of the f/3.8 with the size/weight of a 50mm Summicron is particularly useful.

I still can't decide though because I do tend to use wide angles in tight confines which tend to be indoors, and here in Scandanavia it's quite dim for half the year... So perhaps f/2.8 would be best for me. The f/1.4 new 24mm Summilux is ruled out due to cost and size. Big lenses on RFs kinda defeats one main reason for using an RF in the first place (for me anyway... Leica doesn't seem to care though.)

If Cosina released a 24mm/25mm f/2.8, f/2.5 or Ff/2 lens that was smaller than the Elmarit-M f/2.8 I would be all over it, even if the image quality was not as good, but quite decent (like most Cosina lenses).

I did own a Zeiss ZM 25mm f/2.8 for a while, but I found that too long and replaced it with a Cosina 25mm f/4 P.