Re: [Leica] 21 or 24 mm M lens: advice sought

["Bryan Caldwell" <bcaldwell@softcom.net>]

Christer,

I have the 21mm (a recent, non-asph version) and wouldn't be without it. But
I also have the 28mm. You have to consider where a new lens fits in with the
lenses you already own. I like having the 21 and the 28, but many users I
know cover that range well with just a 24.

If I'm going to shoot wider than the 28, I want to go as wide as I can get
(reasonably). Before I got the 21, I still carried a Nikon body so that I
could use my Nikon 20mm/2.8 - one of my favorites.

Right now seems to be a good time to buy the non-asph 21mm. Used prices have
dropped a bit with the introduction of the asph version. I find the quality
of the non-asph to be excellent, but I shoot mostly fast B&W. It's not much
larger than the 28mm, but does require the accessory finder. Personally, I
like the finder (because I wear glasses) and usually use one with the 28 as
well rather than the M6 28mm bright lines.

Bryan
- -----Original Message-----
From: Christer Almqvist <chris@almqvist.net>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Sunday, January 31, 1999 5:43 AM
Subject: [Leica] 21 or 24 mm M lens: advice sought


>I am getting myself a 21 or a 24 mm lens for my M6 and would like to hear
>what you folks think is the "better" one for me.
>
>I shoot black and white only, have a Tele-Elmarit 2.8/90mm and a Summicron
>2/35mm. (Yes the physical size of the lens is of a certain importance to me
>and I would always go for the smaller one if there is a choice.) I am a
>fine grain and sharpness fetischist, but I do not think I need the new ASPH
>lenses as I am very satisfied with the performance of my current 35mm and
>90mm lenses. Does that limit my choice to 21 mm lenses because the only 24
>mm lens is the new ASPH?
>
>I am into available light photography, street photography and portraits
>(but portraits is not what I am primarily going to use the new lens for, I
>am rather thinking of something like certain Jean Loup Sieff pictures). I
>would  be interested in hearing opinions on the
>price/(practical-usage-)performance relation of older type 21 mm lenses
>provided they can be used with the M6. (I have read what Ervin Put has
>written.)
>
>(...and yes, don't hesitate to email me privately if you are a seller.)
>
>
>--
>christer almqvist
>eichenstrasse 57, d-20255 hamburg, fon +49-40-407111 fax +49-40-4908440
>14 rue de la hauteur, f-50590 regnéville-sur-mer, fon+fax +33-233 45 35 58
>
>