Zeiss 21/25mm 2.8 ZM vs. Leica 21/24mm 1.4 Lux

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Alm3000

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I can't seem to find any decent direct comparison of these lenses so I apologize if this is a repeat thread.

2 part question:

Part 1-
So here are my circumstances. I currently own a 25mm 2.8 ZM. It is a wonderful lens but I find that 2.8 has become a bit too slow after all these years. So I am looking to something faster. However, the price of the Leica has me questioning whether the change is worth the extra speed. I do mostly landscape and night time long exposure photos. During the day and in bright light, the Zeiss is incredible, But I was disappointed with the low light long exposure results from the 25 @ 2.8. So is it worth selling the 25 ZM to put toward the faster Leica 24 1.4?

Part 2-
21mm or 24/25mm? I would use it for Landscape, Long Exp., Travel, and all around lens.

Thanks everyone for any and all feedback.

PS - I appreciate all feedback, and i don't mean to come off sounding like a ass. I hope no one takes it that way. however I would like to stick to the technical questions on the lenses only. I do understand that I could keep the kit the way i have it, and be totally fine and continue photographing. I know I could use the difference in the money to finance a trip or professionally print out prints. Thanks again.
 
What about the Zeiss 25 was disappointing? I owned one and it was amazing even under low light.

Consider the depth of focus with a 1.4 lens wide open.
 
x-ray said:
What about the Zeiss 25 was disappointing? I owned one and it was amazing even under low light.

Consider the depth of focus with a 1.4 lens wide open.
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I honestly can not tell you what is disappointing about the 25. On a bright day, especially in cooler temps, with crisp skies, the Zeiss gives the most amazing results. Otherwise, other situations, i found it to be a bit uninspiring.
 
brennanphotoguy said:
Are you married to the 21/24 focal length? If stomaching the cost of a ultra fast wide angle is too much maybe try the 28mm Summicron?
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So, I have the 25 and a 35 1.4. I figure that 28 was too close to both of those. Thats why I'm thinking to either replace my 25 with a faster one or just sell it and go for 21. I guess to answer your question, I am married to those two fL's.
 
Having tried all four, I can say only two things against the Leica lenses. They're horribly expensive, and I find the extremely shallow depth of field at full aperture to be rather weird with an extreme wide angle. Actually there's one other thing. I forget whether it's the 21mm or 24mm Summilux, but the front glass bulges out beyond the filter ring. Put it down without the hood on and you run a serious risk of scratching the middle of a very expensive piece of glass.

Actually, all the more or less modern 21mm lenses I have used have been very impressive: Zeiss 21/2.8 and 21/4.5, Leica 21/2.8 (pre-aspheric) and 21/1.4, Voigtländer 21/4 and even 21/2.8 Pasinon/Kobalux/etc.

Cheers,

R.
 
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