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

None

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.

Customer Service

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

Similar Products Used:

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

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

kidding right?

The last reviewer must have lost his glasses.

Similar Products Used:

many

Not the slightest trace of barrel distortion.

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

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.

Mine's is the ASPH version. Brilliant contrast and corner to corner sharpness. Extream well built and balance well on M6 (Black Version).
Excellent designed hood.
Freedom of linear distorsion, flares and coma even at max. opening.

Slight light fall off on extream corners at maximum opening. Even illuminuation on f4.5 onwards.
The external finder has too much distorsion which the 24mm finder didn't have. Wonder why ???

Excellent contrast specially with those back lited opjects. Fine texture delinearation with a clean snap feels. The Flektogon excel in freedom of distorsion but the contrast and resolution is on the weak side. An absolute Top 21 for the Leica-M.

Customer Service

No need yet.

Similar Products Used:

20mm Zeiss Flektogon. Nikkor 20/2.8 Ais.

I have the new aspherical version. This is an extraordinary super wide lens. Resolution, contrast and color are all superb. Distortion is just nonexistent. At f8 the image quality is extremely high from center to corner. Mechanical quality is also top.

Just the required viewfinder. It is a shame that Leica provides such a low quality and almost useless viewfider at US $320, to serve a superwide lens of such a high quality

I began to use my first 21mm in 1980 (Zuiko 21mm f3.5). I use them most of the time and I believe my best pictures have been taken with 21s and 20s. After extensive use of both 21s by Zuiko, the 20 AF by Nikor, and comparing the performance of other superwides from the same and other manufacturers, I am completely convinced that this is, by far, the best superwide lens, around 20mm, you can buy. I believe this 21 aspherical from Leica has completely redefined the term high quality in this category of lens. It is so good, that I have devised a special support in my tripod to mount my Olympus OM-4T with 21mm lens as a high quality viewfinder for my M6, to avoid the low quality one provided by Leica. The difference in optical quality, (resolution, contrast, color rendition, distortion, flare, etc.) compared to the Zuikos and the 20mm Nikon AF, is huge. I love high quality optics. I own several apochromats, including the superb 105 mm f5.6 Apo EL Nikor, which has full apochromatic correction and wich I use for enlarging slides and negatives taken with my also superb and only Hasselblad lens I own, the 100mm f3.5. However, In the comparisons I have made during many years between many lenses, I haven't seen the difference I have seen between the the performance of the 21mm aspherical from Leica and the performance of the competition. I have other recent lenses from Leica, and I cannot say the same. To me, the 21mm aspherical is the best lens I own.

Customer Service

Not required

Similar Products Used:

Zuiko 21mm f3.5, Zuiko 21mm f2.0, Nikor 20mm f2.8 AF.

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

Viewfinder take time to get accustomed

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.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Nikon, Minolta,

Sharp, very
ASPH - version.

Toooo expensive!

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...

Similar Products Used:

Zeiss 21/2.8 G
Nikkor 20/2.8
Zeiss 18/4