The biggest problem with the M8...

I have tried the avenon 21/2.8 and i have to say i don't like it much. Don't get me wrong, it's a great wide-angle lens (performance wise I think it is superior to the SA 21/3.4). The pictures I got are too "plain" and the lens itself is huge comparing to SA 21/3.4 (doesn't look good on my m4p but it certainly looks much better on the M5!!!). So I sold the avenon in the end and got a SA 21/3.4 instead. It is still on the way from Italy. Can't wait...
 
I used to think the biggest problem with the M8 was the IR issue. Now I think the biggest problem is that I don't have one.
 
"Plain" wouldnt be the way I describe Avenon. But than again - everyone sees things differently.

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As far as size - it's a compromize - you get a faster, sharper lens that doesnt have huge rear element, but yes - larger front. I used mine on Hexar as well as M5 and size didnt seem to be a problem. But than again, one of my favorite lenses is a Nokton 35/1.2 that some think is huge! ;)
 
for sure, there are many interesting 21mm lenses for the leica m8 out there. the super-angulon has some advantages in terms of size, sharpness and special "look", but has all the issues (challenges?) mentioned in this post. i was using the lens this afternoon (still in a discovery phase) so here is my humble summary so far:
  • the lens mounts easily on the m8, just be a bit careful putting the two together because of the deepr rear element
  • i found that setting the camera to EV -3 was often pretty close to the right starting exposure. that might save you a few trial shots. i did end up buying the little sekonic twinmate l-208. you can mount it on the camera, or carry it with you easily
  • for the uv/ir cut filter, i use the b&w series 7 which fits in the 12501M lens shade
  • when the lens was in for cleaning etc, i asked the technician (reinhardt/hannover) to remove the rear flange. john milich milled the flange for 6-bit coding, and the technician remounted it before returning the lens to me
  • coding????? so far, i've coded the lens as a WATE, and am using mostly the 21mm setting. you have to turn the lens beyond zero during mounting to bring up the 90mm frame lines, otherwise the WATE coding will not appear. i'm a long way from done with this coding issue, but still have two other leica 21mm codes to try, as well as cornerfix software. the coding and cyan issues are almost certainly another reason why leica doesn't recommend the m8/SA 3.4 combination.
  • viewfinder? out of all those available, i found the ricoh gv-2 28mm finder first. it's very small, bright, with brightlines, and seems to be made by voigtlander.
the attachments are all local from first tests using an m8. you'll find lots of super-angulon photos under flickr, where the full potential of the lens on film can be seen.

good luck with your decision

greetings from hamburg

rick
 

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I have a 21mm SA that I bought from a member here. It makes beautiful photos on my M8.
BTW, I also use it on my M5 (my SA has the cutaway shroud. Using a 21 SA on the M5 without the cutaway can damage the arm. 21 SAs manufactured before the M5 came along did not have the cutout.)
Neither camera will meter with the lens, but who cares. It is easy to just chimp a little on the M8 and adjust the exposure if needed.
I was advised to not code the lens and I do not use an IR filter on it. I use a CV 28mm viewfinder with it.
 
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Cindy,

Since I also have the SA and the M5 I would be very interested to see how the cutaway mounting flange looks like. It might be not a to big problem for me to modify the flange of my lens myself. Do you happen to have a photo of the mounting flange of your modified SA ?

Gabor
 
maddoc said:
Cindy,

Since I also have the SA and the M5 I would be very interested to see how the cutaway mounting flange looks like. It might be not a to big problem for me to modify the flange of my lens myself. Do you happen to have a photo of the mounting flange of your modified SA ?

Gabor
Click to expand...

Hi Gabor,
I will take a pic of it tomorrow and post it.
Mine actually did not have the cutout. I was able to get the flange with the cutout from DAG. I changed it out myself. You might want to check with him (or other repair-persons) before you try cutting it yourself. You might be able to find the part.
Cindy
 
Cindy Flood said:
Hi Gabor,
I will take a pic of it tomorrow and post it.
Mine actually did not have the cutout. I was able to get the flange with the cutout from DAG. I changed it out myself. You might want to check with him (or other repair-persons) before you try cutting it yourself. You might be able to find the part.
Cindy
Click to expand...

Cindy,

thanks a lot ! I didn't think about asking Don from DAG, so I will contact him later. That sounds much more easy than messing around with a Dremel ...

Gabor
 
Cindy,

thanks a lot for taking the time and posting the photo !! :) I will ask Don now if he has a spare mount for my lens !

Cheers,

Gabor
 
Sa 21+m8

Sa 21+m8

Have been using the Super Angulon 3,4/21 on the M8 for 2 years now, no metering BUT playback of your shot in the LCD. Soon you'll get to learn how to read light without a meter... I've been doing it for more than 20 years. Good luck.
:cool:
 
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