Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Ebay

Summary:
Superb lens ! Very sharp, from the center to the edges and very lightweight compared to its companions. The mechanical quality is that of a swiss chronograph. No tolerances ! And focussing with the focussing tab is fast, convenient and efficient. The only thing you have to pay attention to is the exact composition of the picture concerning the horizon or horizontal lines. I'm using the optional 21/24/28mm vario-viewfinder. I prefer this one, because the 21mm single-focal-lenght finder is much darker and made out of plastic. No lens is perfect ! Every lens is the best compromise for the task it was built for. And this one is a great one. I'm using the following focal lengths for eht Leica M6 : 21/2.8 asph, 28/2.8, 50/2 and the 90/2.8. The Elmarit 21 asph together with the Contax Biogon 21 are the best super wide angle lenses in this focal lenght that you may get. Which one to get depends on your camera system.

Strengths:
Mecanics without tolerances, optics, lightweight and small compared to SLR lenses

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Leica M 28, 50, 90 Leica R 24, 50/1.4, 100 Apo, 35-70/4, 70-180/2.8 Apo

Customer Service:
Great. There's no better one on earth ! Fast, friendly, efficient and worth the money

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The last reviewer must have lost his glasses.

Strengths:
Best 21mm in the world of 35mm lenses, along with the Zeiss for the G series.

Weaknesses:
kidding right?

Similar Products Used:
many

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.67 of 5,
6 votes

Price Paid:  $3000.00 from Ffordes

Summary:
I use an awful lot of camera gear. I mainly do landscape work. I thought I would be buying the ultimate super wide-angle lens in the aspherical Leica M 21mm.

Strengths:
Not the slightest trace of barrel distortion.

Weaknesses:
Very poor resolution at the edges. Unacceptably so. Am looking for an alternative system for these ultra wide-angle shots.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Summary:
A close to superb lens.
Why "only" close to? Because it is NOT better than the 21mm for Contax G and for the price difference you get the G2 Body as well... In a way it is pointless to argue which 21 is better than the other in 35mm format but in my opinion they are equally superb. I have shot a LOT with both. Forget about MTF graphs when comparing these two. I still prefer the Zeiss though. It beats the hell out of the Elmarit - value for money wise. Even if I only shot Leica I would get the G2 + 21 instead of the horrendously overpriced ASPH 21. I simply cannot give a good value rating when there are lenses of equal quality for a lot less $$$. If you are really keen on quality; go 6X7 and Mamiya7:s 43 or 50 (or Hassy SuperWide). I did just that and it put some perspective on 35mm quality...

Strengths:
Sharp, very
ASPH - version.

Weaknesses:
Toooo expensive!

Similar Products Used:
Zeiss 21/2.8 G
Nikkor 20/2.8
Zeiss 18/4

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $1800.00 from B & H

Summary:
Last time I used this lens was in the market in Istanbul, Turkey without a flash. The results were simply breath taking. If you can afford it (ASPH), then step up to the plate and go for it. Nothing touches it. Also have 50/2.0, 35/2 ASPH, and 75 1.4 The 21 ASPH is the best that I have ever seen for a 20mm range. For travel the rangefinder is the way to go. People buy Leica because of the results. It is for real and worth the money.

Strengths:
Drop dead georgous results, dimensional image, great contrast,superb color rendition.

Weaknesses:
Viewfinder take time to get accustomed

Similar Products Used:
Nikon, Minolta,

Customer Service:
None