Which 21 mm for M9?

[ChrisN]

Chris, how/why did the Leica 12208 finder improve your 21 use? Compared to not using any finder? Or to using another finder?

I had the Cosina VF, but didn't like it. For my eyes the Leica finder gives more consistent framing and a less distorted image.

 

[hteasley]

Has anybody thought about the Super Angulon? If you are going to correct for red corners anyway, that is an awesome lens.
Pete

The SA on the M9 is not a good combo, except for black and white. The color distortion around the whole frame is complex and not easily corrected. I like the Zeiss 21mm f2.8, it's sharp and much less of an issue on the M9. Plus, the meter works, unlike with the SA.

Love the SA for film, though.

 

[3rdtrick]

Even before finally trying my SA on my M9 a couple of weeks ago, I knew it was going to be a lesson in futility. It has the wrong mount for 6 bit coding as one of the other Leica 21 mm lenses. I chose the WATE from the camera menu and the results were still marginal.

In addition to the overall strong magenta vignetting / light falloff, high contrast edges also tend to show a visible red edge. Obviously this for color files. Even with B&W files the light falloff is much more severe than on a film camera where I find it pleasing and part of the essential signature of the SA. Even with the WATE correction from the camera, more aggressive action is essential in post.

Corner fix can be use to control the falloff for both color and B&W files. The red edge demands a more creative approach and must be applied to individual files. Too much time and effort, IMHO, when more user friendly lenses are out there.

As I mentioned previously, I have the 21mm Elmarit ASPH which I like on the M9 and the CV Ultron 21/1.8 which I also like. Lately I have been using my CV 35/1.2 so my 21/1.8 is in my bag. When I head out with my 35 Summicron, my 21mm Elmarit ASPH goes in the bag.

The Super Angulon now stays on a M6.

Thank you for clearing that up. The SA is much worse with the red corners than the non Leica lenses. Glad I went with the SEM.
Pete

 

[MCTuomey]

Thanks, Chris. I have the Cosina too, and don't like it much either, but make do for the time being.

I had the Cosina VF, but didn't like it. For my eyes the Leica finder gives more consistent framing and a less distorted image.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Sorry Pete, but in my application I had not spoken to budget. The Super Elmar is too expensive for me and it is very difficult to find used. I could spend about half the cost of a new Super Elmar.

That settles it, then: the Cosina 21mm f/4.

 

[albertospa]

That settles it, then: the Cosina 21mm f/4.

Thanks for the interesting replies.
With half the cost of a super Elmar could also buy a 21 Elmarit!
21 Elmarit or 21 Voigtlander?

 

[geo13c]

I use a 21/2.8 ASPH and find it wonderful. Color rendition and sharpness are excellent. Prices of good used lenses may be $2400. At that rate, it's a good buy.

 

[rich_]

I recently sold my Zeiss 21mm 2.8.

It was a solid lens which gave predictable results.

I might replace it with an Ultron for some more creative options, however i expect the final image quality to be slightly sub-par from what I have read.

 

[jaapv]

N.b., the Zeiss 21mm finder is unbelievably good -- makes Leica finder optics look like plastic toys. I don't currently have a 21 but I still have the finder. Can't bear to sell it.

The Zeiss finders have a wonderfully clear view. The problem is that they have a slight offset when used on an M camera due to the different geometry, so framing can be a bit dodgy.

 

[Monz]

Another vote for the CV 21mm f4. Cheap and cheerful.
I have the LTM version and use it with a CV 21 viewfinder.
I use the 21/2.8 profile and it works well. I'm thinking about shooting without a profile and then correcting with Cornerfix.

 

[Monz]

Busker by *monz*, on Flickr

[M9, VM 21mm f4 Color Skopar]

 

[Monz]

Swing Ball by *monz*, on Flickr

[M9, VM 21mm f4 Color Skopar]

 

[Godfrey]

Tips for choosing a 21 for my M9. Voightlander, Zeiss or Leica? A part of the colorshift easily corregibile in PP.

I don't use an ultra wide on the M9 too often so I have been reluctant to spend big money on the Leica or Zeiss lens offerings, despite their excellent quality. I've been using a Voigtländer Color Skopar 21mm f/4 with good results overall, along with the Voigtländer 21-25mm Brightline finder. It does exhibit some color shifting and corner shading artifacts on the M9 sensor, but for work where more even results are needed, CornerFix software does a good job of correction prior to my usual Lightroom workflow. I use the Color Skopar 21mm more with my GXR-M where the color shifting and corner shading artifacts are virtually nonexistent.

Since I bought the Color Skopar, the new Ultron 21mm f/1.8 has shipped. Based on comparisons between it and the Zeiss and Leica offerings shown at La Vida Leica and on images shown by quite a few photographers using it whose work I find credible, it is a significantly better performer than the Color Skopar, albeit at more than double the price and a large increase in size and weight. If I remain intrigued by it long enough, I'll just have to buy one and work with it to see if I like it. 🙂

G

 

[Ben Z]

I've read a lot about color casts in the corners with the 21 f/4 Skopar, maybe I'm just lucky but I've got two of them (LTM and M) and neither of them has any corner color cast issues with the M9, using 21 Elmarit pre-ASPH coding.

 

[Monz]

I've read a lot about color casts in the corners with the 21 f/4 Skopar, maybe I'm just lucky but I've got two of them (LTM and M) and neither of them has any corner color cast issues with the M9, using 21 Elmarit pre-ASPH coding.

@Ben: have you found any noticeable difference between the LTM and M version? I heard they are the same optical formula but I am not sure.

 

[albertospa]

Hello guys. After some research I decided to buy the Biogon 21 2.8. The price of new is equal to that of a Elmarit used. I am very pleased with the Biogon. It encodes very easily thanks to a milling present on the M9 bayonet and it works perfectly. I had long ago with a CV 21 whit M8 and this Biogon I find it best.

 

[albygentle]

zeissif u cant afford leica