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

Guy Mancuso

Administrator, Instructor
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.




Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. : Technical specifications

Angle of view
(diagonal,
horizontal, vertical)
For 35mm format (24 x 36mm): 91°, 80°, 59°
For Leica M8 models (18 x 27mm): 74°, 64°, 46°
(Focal length equivalent: approx. 28mm)

Optical design
Number of lenses/groups: 8/7
Aspherical surfaces: 2
Position of entrance pupil: 15.6 mm (to the apex of the first lens
surface)
Distance settings
Working range: 0.7 m to ∞
Scales: Combined meter/feet graduation
Smallest object field: 706 x 1059mm (35mm format)
530 x 795mm (for M8)
Largest reproduction ratio: 1:29.4

Aperture
Settings / function: click-stops and half-stop detents
Smallest aperture: 16

Bayonet mount
Leica M quick-change bayonet with 6-bit bar-coding for digital Leica M models

Filter mount /
lens hood
Non-rotating with inner threading for E46 screw-in filters, outer threading with stop for mounting the lens hood (supplied with the lens)

Dimensions
Length to bayonet flange: approx. 43/55mm (Approx. 1.69/2.17in) (with/without lens hood)
Largest diameter: Approx. 53mm (Approx. 2.09in)

Weight
Approx. 279g (Approx. 9.84 oz)

Accessories included
Metal lens hood, front cap for lens hood, rear cap, leather case, instruction manual
 

David K

Workshop Member
Already on the list for one of these. Might have preferred the 21 lux but they aren't available from dealers and the used ones are going for a premium over list. At $2995 for the super elmar it's a veritable bargain these days...
 

coz

New member
do you think the performance of this will be in line with the 24mm 3.8 based on the charts? Sorry I don't know how to interperate them.
 

AGeoJO

New member
Why on earth did Leica introduce this lens? If the sale of the 18mm Super Elmar and Summarit-M line offers any indication, it seems that most Leica M shooters would prefer faster lenses. For the most part, the 18mm SE and Summarit lenses are basically the only lenses that are readily available. I wish Leica would concentrate on improving the availability of the more popular lenses that fly off the shelf....
 

ashwinrao1

Active member
I'd personally love a 21 super elmar to go wide when needed...18 gets a bit too wide for my taste, but 21 hits a sweet spot. Plus the size is manageable to throw in a bag with 35/50/90 or 35/75/135 kit....I am on a waiting list as we speak. I had heard that despite firmware upgrades, the color cases on the ZM 21 biogon C are still problamtic, or this would have been on my list a long time ago.

Seriously, far more interested in this offering than the M9-P....
 

ashwinrao1

Active member
Why on earth did Leica introduce this lens? If the sale of the 18mm Super Elmar and Summarit-M line offers any indication, it seems that most Leica M shooters would prefer faster lenses. For the most part, the 18mm SE and Summarit lenses are basically the only lenses that are readily available. I wish Leica would concentrate on improving the availability of the more popular lenses that fly off the shelf....
yes, do agree that Leica should bring some focus onto their summilux line, particularly the 35 and 50 mm offerings which everyone clammors for...
 

Jerry_R

New member
Why on earth did Leica introduce this lens? If the sale of the 18mm Super Elmar and Summarit-M line offers any indication, it seems that most Leica M shooters would prefer faster lenses.
I for sure don't need to buy faster 21mm. Too big, too heavy, probably less sharp when closed down, more distoring, less flare resistant, etc.
We will see.

Speed is often a compromise. For person using that focal for landscape or architecture - smaller size and expected quality may be a blessing.
 

AGeoJO

New member
I for sure don't need to buy faster 21mm. Too big, too heavy, probably less sharp when closed down, more distoring, less flare resistant, etc.
We will see.

Speed is often a compromise. For person using that focal for landscape or architecture - smaller size and expected quality may be a blessing.
I am not referring to the 21mm focal length in particular; it just happened that Leica introduces a new 21mm Super Elmar lens. My comment was more about Leica's effort in this new line of lenses. I would prefer for Leica to put more effort in keeping the more popular lenses (not necessarily Summiluxes, BTW) in ample supply rather than dedicating a group of technicians to assemble a new line of SE lenses. Maybe it is Leica philosophy to do so to keep the rare lenses more desireable because they are rare and hard to find.

What's wrong with the 21mm Elmarit ASPH for landscape or architectural photography :D?
 

thrice

Active member
Judging by the performance proofs and MTF's, the lens should be pretty good. I'm rapidly considering selling all my glass and going for a smaller all-leica kit - now that it's cheaper to buy new Leica lenses than used, and I don't mind waiting.
 

akiralx

New member
What's wrong with the 21mm Elmarit ASPH for landscape or architectural photography :D?
Well, if the 24 Elmarit f/2.8 and 24 Elmar f/3.8 are a guide (I shot with both for a while then sold the Elmarit) the newer lens will be superior in every way, except speed.
 

vieri

Well-known member
...

I had heard that despite firmware upgrades, the color cases on the ZM 21 biogon C are still problamtic, or this would have been on my list a long time ago.

Seriously, far more interested in this offering than the M9-P....
Ashwin, unfortunately the "Italian flag" effect with very wide lenses is there to stay, unless Leica does something with their microlenses the only solution is to deal with it with a LCC profile (and even then, the color shift is so strong that you will not be able to correct it completely without messing with the colors of your image).

As a 21 mm lover, I used for many years a Super-Angulon + 35 mm (Lux) combination for my wide-angle needs, then I thought I'd be OK replacing both for a 28 mm (size and weight considerations, image quality, one lens less in the bag) and got the 28 Summicron: amazing lens, but after using it for about a year I missed on both the wide and the longer side of it, so I got back to a 35 Lux + ...a Voigtlander 21 f4 (the M version), and I am really happy I decide to give it a try (it's my only Voigtlander lens, but is definitely a keeper!)

I am not sure what the new Super-Elmar will bring to the table that will make me prefer it over either the Voigtlander or the old Super-Angulon. MFT charts will be better, vignetting too probably, but I am much more interested in the way a lens draw, and to me the S-A and the Voigtlander both draw beautifully and are beautifully made, and both are smaller and lighter than the new Super-Elmar... so for me is a wait-and-see situation. Let's see what the first samples will look like! :D
 

PeterA

Well-known member
I have used the 21mm 2.8 Elmarit aspherical for a few years now - and am happy with it, superb colour is a feature I also love the freedom of the huge DOF for hyperfocal shooting on the street. This new formula and the smaller size of the lens will be an attraction.
 

Paratom

Well-known member
I for sure don't need to buy faster 21mm. Too big, too heavy, probably less sharp when closed down, more distoring, less flare resistant, etc.
We will see.

Speed is often a compromise. For person using that focal for landscape or architecture - smaller size and expected quality may be a blessing.
I never found the 21/2,8 asph to be a compromise in any of those factors, I also never found it too big. (Specially since you als need an external viewfinder for such wide lenses anyways).
 

glenerrolrd

Workshop Member
I have had the same experience with the 21/2.8asph which I really enjoyed on the M8/M8.2 bodies . In street shooting managing DOF and framing are the two biggest issues . Not much is more frustrating than capturing a great moment and then losing the photograph to misfocus or framing issues . Using a 21 on the M9 gives you just a little bit of room to crop and frame .

Not sure if its pure marketing buzz but comparing the new 21 to the super angulon got my attention.






I have used the 21mm 2.8 Elmarit aspherical for a few years now - and am happy with it, superb colour is a feature I also love the freedom of the huge DOF for hyperfocal shooting on the street. This new formula and the smaller size of the lens will be an attraction.
 

D&A

Well-known member
I have had the same experience with the 21/2.8asph which I really enjoyed on the M8/M8.2 bodies . In street shooting managing DOF and framing are the two biggest issues . Not much is more frustrating than capturing a great moment and then losing the photograph to misfocus or framing issues . Using a 21 on the M9 gives you just a little bit of room to crop and frame .

Not sure if its pure marketing buzz but comparing the new 21 to the super angulon got my attention.
I may be wrong, but I got the impression the only reason Leica mentioned the Super Angulon in their press release for the new 21mm, was the comparison of both being f3.4 lenses and possibly the fact that both have extremely high resolution #'s....not so much regarding similarities on the way they "draw" an image.

Dave (D&A)
 
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