"Super Elmar" ? 21mm f3.4 ASPH

dcsang

dcsang

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I don't know how valid this is but Leica Store Mayfair has got some post up on their site with a date of June 26, 2011 (they can see into the future I guess) and it states the following:
Leica has today added a new, high-performance wide-angle lens to its portfolio of short focal length lenses for Leica M cameras. The Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. sets new standards in imaging performance and is characterised by its particularly compact size and suitability for a wide range of photographic situations.
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Here's a link to the article:
http://www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk/news/Leica-Super-Elmar-M-21mm-f-3-4-ASPH.html

Cheers,
Dave
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



NEW: THE LEICA SUPER-ELMAR-M 21MM F/3.4 ASPH.

Compact M lens with improved imaging performance sets new standards in wide-angle photography



Solms, Germany (June 21, 2011) - Leica Camera AG adds a new, high-performance wide-angle lens to its portfolio of short focal length lenses for Leica M cameras. The Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. sets new standards in imaging performance. It is characterized by its particularly compact size and suitability for a wide range of photographic situations. Whether used for photojournalism, architecture or landscape photography, the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. provides photographers with an extremely small, light and versatile wide-angle lens, particularly suitable for travelling.



The performance of the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. is reminiscent of one of the all-time favorite classic M lenses, the Leica Super-Angulon-M 21 mm f/3.4. This highly praised lens was an integral part of the Leica M lens portfolio from 1963 to 1980 and made its name and reputation as an ideal tool for available light photography and photojournalism. Even today, the Super-Angulon-M 21 mm f/3.4 remains extremely popular and one of the most sought-after M lenses amongst connoisseurs of fine optics.



The new Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. is a worthy successor, with further improvements over the already outstanding performance of its forerunner model. The lens reveals its excellent reproduction of detail and superior contrast at maximum aperture. Of particular note is the extremely effective optimization of flare characteristics of the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH., which allows the capture of fascinating ‘contre-jour’ images with absolute clarity and contrast.



The intricate optical design and construction of the lens are responsible for its outstanding sharpness and imaging qualities. The Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. is constructed with eight lenses in seven groups. At the same time, the use of one lens element with two aspherical surfaces and four lenses with anomalous partial dispersion ensure that aberrations are reduced to an absolute minimum.



As with all Leica lenses, the Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. was designed and developed by Leica specialists in Solms, Germany and represents the perfect combination of optical and technical expertise. Particularly reliable and with enduring value, every Leica lens is manufactured from only the highest quality materials and is assembled with meticulous precision, completely by hand. The combination of cutting-edge technologies and extremely thorough manufacturing processes guarantees consistently excellent quality.



The Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. is supplied with a high-quality, all-metal lens hood, which should be mounted at all times. The hood not only protects the lens effectively against reduction of contrast by extraneous light, but also against damage and the accumulation of dirt on the front lens element.



The Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH. will be available from Leica dealers beginning July 2011.

Cheers,

R.
 
Looks like a cool lens. I'd actually think about getting one if the distortion was lower. As it is, I think I'll stick with my ZM 21/4.5.
 
Where is the distortion graph (or percentage) mentioned? That's my major concern as well. The 21/4.5 is certainly the lens to beat. If this had virtually no distortion and f3.4, I'd be tempted!


Tim Gray said:
Looks like a cool lens. I'd actually think about getting one if the distortion was lower. As it is, I think I'll stick with my ZM 21/4.5.
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Thanks Tim, I didn't even see that it had a page up on Leica's site yet. The MTF graphs are beyond reproach, but the distortion is horrible compared to the ZM 21/4.5, or even the 24/3.8 Elmar! Oh well, I guess this saves me some money ;)
 
Yeah it kind of bugs me. I was considering this lens in case I ever bought an M9 since the ZM 21/4.5 doesn't play nice with it. Oh well. Saves me a bit of money too :)
 
They seem to market the lens as an 'upgrade' to the 21 Super Angulon. If it close focused to 18" I'm sure more people would jump on the band wagon. I sure as hell would.
 
JSU said:
Ditto!

I am curious how it compares with the now discontinued 21mm Elmarit ASPH, while not a Super Angulon, it's still a stellar performer with its own signature.
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I think once the lens is out and in the hands of a few shooters, we'll get an idea / comparison of what it is really capable of. I'd love to see a side by side or head to head against the Biogon-C 21/4.5 and the original SA 21/3.4.
 
This is a lens that I am interested in. It is up against some formidable competition though. The 21f3.4 SA and the Zeiss Biogon 21f4.5.
I did try the 24f3.8 some time ago - and if it is anything like that, it could give both of these lenses a run for the money!!! Might even get me to spend the money on a new Leica lens. I was thinking of the 24/3.8 - but deep down, I am a 21 fan.
 
Tom A said:
This is a lens that I am interested in. It is up against some formidable competition though. The 21f3.4 SA and the Zeiss Biogon 21f4.5.
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I'll be interested to hear your take on it. If you like it, it's probably worth getting :) Not sure what I'd do with two slow 21s though.
 
RE: Distortion

I found it interesting that Puts says Leica doesn't really have as much of a burden when it comes to distortion from the lens design since they rely on in-camera correction. I wonder if this is a trend and future lenses will actually perform worse in some regards than older lenses when used on film bodies?
 
enochRoot said:
RE: Distortion

I found it interesting that Puts says Leica doesn't really have as much of a burden when it comes to distortion from the lens design since they rely on in-camera correction. I wonder if this is a trend and future lenses will actually perform worse in some regards than older lenses when used on film bodies?
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Now that could be a scary trend. I have a feeling that software correction can only go so far in place of optical correction, pushed too much it could start to look artificial.
 
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