Leica Elmarit 21mm pre asph on M9 or

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Fraser

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What do you think Leica Elmarit 21mm f2.8 pre asph or Zeiss 21mm 2.8 for M9, shame the Zeiss 21mm f4 is a no go. Don't want to spend too much as I wont use it that much, all my other lenses are Leica so that might annoy me having one Zeiss. Kinda answered my own question:rolleyes:
Any pics of the two lenses together would be good so I could see the size difference.
Thanks.
 
The Elmarit is more dense but shorter and so seems heavier but the weight is similar. The Zeiss is a bit longer for a RF lens but it's performance on the M9 is amazing. Better than the Elmarit by a bit but if the small difference in size and the name matter, then it's the Leica lens for you.

Phil Forrest
 
Definitely the Zeiss f2.8 over the Elmarit. I don't know why it would annoy you, code it as a pre-Asph 11134 Elmarit and you get no red edge and negligable vignetting, its sharp across the field (moreso than the Elmarit), and the colours a Zeiss lens produces are superb.

Steve
 
The Zeiss 21mm has 1/3rd stop aperture clicks, which annoyed me when I tried one. I prefer the Leitz ASPH focussing tab, to the Zeiss nub things too, but optically the Zeiss seemed very good to me. I'm not sure what focusing ring the pre-ASPH has.
 
Nothing wrong with the Elmarit either. It would be my preference - I feel it fits in better with a Leica lens stable.
 
The Zeiss 21mm f4.5 works with Cornerfix, but I think I'd go this way only if
I already owned the 4.5, as I do. BTW, The 4.5 is superb on film.

I'm saving my pennies for the new Super Elmarit f3.4, which is supposed to be available in "July." I'm not sure when "July" is in Leicatime.
 
ChipMcD said:
I'm saving my pennies for the new Super Elmarit f3.4, which is supposed to be available in "July." I'm not sure when "July" is in Leicatime.
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Its already been released then recalled, or rather, it never made it beyond the dealers stockroom before they were told to send them back to Leica. I was getting into my car to go and pick mine up when the dealer called back and said they had discovered a problem that caused the focus to become very stiff when mounted on a body. It has affected all the initial stock as far as I know.

But it gave me a chance to re-think my strategy, and knowing I would never use the 21mm as much as a 28mm or 50mm I decided to go with the 21mm Zeiss f2.8 and couldn't be happier, especailly with a £1000 left to spend on other things.

Steve
 
250swb said:
Its already been released then recalled, or rather, it never made it beyond the dealers stockroom before they were told to send them back to Leica. I was getting into my car to go and pick mine up when the dealer called back and said they had discovered a problem that caused the focus to become very stiff when mounted on a body. It has affected all the initial stock as far as I know.

But it gave me a chance to re-think my strategy, and knowing I would never use the 21mm as much as a 28mm or 50mm I decided to go with the 21mm Zeiss f2.8 and couldn't be happier, especailly with a £1000 left to spend on other things.

Steve
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thats quite a good idea I could pickup the zeiss 21 and a Zeiss 35mm 2.8 for a walk about lens at the same time and still have change.
 
I don't have the 21 but have the 25 2.8 Zeiss. Excellent lens with great contrast and it rivals any of my Leica lenses. I wouldn't mind a black 21 2.8 in the Zeiss but it seems they are in silver and not available too many places.
 
jamato8 said:
I wouldn't mind a black 21 2.8 in the Zeiss but it seems they are in silver and not available too many places.
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This is the problem, scarcity, and its likely even the Super Elmar will be easier to find when re-released. I phoned around all the usual suspects in the UK and one had a silver, a few had nothing, and Clifton Cameras had a black one, which is what I got. I think I was very lucky.

Steve
 
I used to own the Elmarit ASPH but sold it because it wasn't noticeably better for me than the preASPH which cost much less. The preASPH is better now with the latest M9 firmware, whereas before it was as bad as a 3rd-party lens in terms of red edge and needing to fiddle in post processing. And speaking of 3rd-party, my little 21/4 Skopar Voitlander has benefitted from the firmware upgrade, and now needs no Cornerfixing (almost never). If the slow aperture isn't a hindrance, well worth checking that lens out. Lots of bang for little buck. You may have to check through a few of them though, as there seems to be some sample variation. I may have got lucky. (Actually my first one jammed up right away and the dealer exchanged it).
 
Ben Z said:
You may have to check through a few of them though, as there seems to be some sample variation.
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I know people always say that, like its a common place thing to do, but where is this shop that not only has a few in stock, but they also let you try them all out? I want to go there! :D

FWIW the new firmware for the M9 did nothing at all for my 21mm Skopar, the red edge is as bad as ever and now its thankfully consigned to my IIIf bag for good.

Steve
 
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focal length preference aside, would one choose the ZM 25/2.8 over the ZM 21/2.8 for better imaging? or is focal length preference really the only necessary determining factor?
 
Beware of flare with any 21mm lens :) My ASPH flared just as much as the pre-ASPH in the same situations. One of the reasons I didn't deem it worth keeping. The pre-ASPH is not what I'd call overly flare-prone, in "normal" shooting situations. Of course I can force it to flare if I try.
 
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