Leica Elmarit 21/2.8 and Zeiss Biogon T 21/2.8

[ymc226]

I want a 21mm and these are the 2 frontrunners. I couldn't find comparisons in any threads but is one softer and the other more contrasty as reported in the 35mm/2.0 between the 2 makes?

In terms of build quality, what does that directly entail? I've read in various threads that build quality measured by "heft" but also renounced that Zeiss uses lighter alloys with similar build quality to modern "Leica" lens which do not have the build quality of times past.

Another question is the viewfinder needed. Is the external Zeiss VF or new metal Leica VF similar in terms of brightness? If I go the cheaper route, can I use a Zeiss 21mm VF on a MP, M2 or M3 with the Zeiss lens or do I need to use the Leica external VF for more exact framing?

 

[notturtle]

My advice: get the ZM and a CV 21 finder and save a ton. The leica asph will not be meaningfully better and the CV finder is good enough.

The ZM is extremely sharp, performs very well wide open and according to Puts is every bit the equal of the asph. He intimates he thinks it better.

The ZM is longer but narower with more convenient filter size and smaller hood. Build is more than good enough. I would not dream of spending 3 x on the asph.

 

[Avotius]

I have the ZM 21 2.8 and its a fine lens, sharp out to the edges even wide open and surprisingly little distortion. I also have the voigtlander finder....that is iffy, feels cheap, bright lines are never fully illuminated all around the finder and I dont doubt it would break in two with a decent knock but for the price its all you can get. As for build quality, I have been using my Zeiss 50 Planar for a few years now and it is still great, I expect that when it fails it wont be because of the lens but because I did something to do. Build quality on the 21 feels even tighter then my planar so nothing much missing here.

My advice, buy the zeiss, save the extra and go on a trip.

A few gratuitous examples:

 

[Al Kaplan]

The optics of the VC finders are great but I did manage to break the foot off of one. Plastic ain't metal. On the other hand my 15mm finder is fine after four years of daily use. The Kobalux finder is too huge. I had a Leitz 21mm finder for several years until it fell off the camera someplace. It had a big crack in the glass when I bought it cheap. Looking through the finder you couldn't see the crack. And I used to have a 19mm Canon finder. As for "exact framing"? Forget it! That's not what rangefinders do. Only the Nikon F supposedly gave you "exact" framing, and that was an SLR.

With some experience you can get pretty good at knowing what'll be in the frame. The viewfinder sees a bit less than you'll get on your negative anyway. All the brands do. For the least distortion the 21mm f/3.4 Super Angulon is king, and it probably has the best center sharpness of all, but it has more light fall off in the corners than more modern designs and the corners aren't as sharp as the center. It also has less contrast than more modern designs. You can't beat the build quality though. The best!

 

[Avotius]

Oh, one tip with the voigtlander finders, I took some paper from a receipt I got at some store and tripled it up and put it into the hot shoe before mounting the finder on my bessa r2a, that seemed to do the trick and keeps it from falling off, on my M6 no such paper stuff is needed as the fit is tight enough.

 

[samoksner]

Those images aresimply stunning, brilliant use of a wide angle. From what i've seen, i would take the ZM over the Leica even if i had all the money in the world, i just like the way it draws better then the zeiss. As for sharpness, they are both bruttally sharp all the way to the corner at all apertures.

I used the ZM 21 for a couple hours a while back, and if i had money in my pocket i would have bought it, it feels great, isnt too big and it draws splendidly. Somehow, even in very high contrast situations, both the highlights and the shadows seem to hang in there, it's odd, i think it's because all the little details in the extremes are still so sharp that everything seems to pop.

 

[notturtle]

the cv finders are tight on my MPs, but cameras vary I am sure. Mine seems well built enough and I bet it would take quite a thump to break it, but I agree about the illumination of the lines being uneven. Does not bother me too much though. $128 from cameraquest vs $400 or so for the Zeiss finder and $88709809 for the Leica. Yes, I mis-typed that, so you need to remove one digit 😀

 

[ymc226]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Avotius: great pictures. In fact, it was your shots that made me order the Zeiss Biogon today with the matching viewfinder.

I ordered a silver one (much cheaper than the Leica plus it will match my chrome M2, not that cosmetics matter). Hopefully, will get some good shots of my family with it when we go to Disneyworld for the first time.

 

[Palaeoboy]

What Elmarit were you considering? The ASPH or the version before?

 

[ymc226]

The new one. I'm actually new to RF as I have been using my Nikon SLRs (non digital) for B&W as well as Hassies with normal and portrait FL lenses. This is the first wide angle lens I am acquiring.

If I find I like it but need more speed, I will wait until more used models of the new 21 Summilux show up at dealers although they would have to be at a pretty good discount.

 

[Avotius]

Good luck with the new zeiss lens, unfortunately it seems I have caused more then one person on here to buy some sort of zeiss lens, started with the 50 planar, moved to the 28 biogon and now this. Soon a hail of stones will come my way maybe!