Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/08/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]After a long and fruitless search for an affordable 21mm M series lens I am now, happily, confronted by a minor dilemna: I have the opportunity to purchase either a Super angulon or a more recent Elmarit. The Super Angulon (#2783XXX) belongs to a photojournalist friend and has seen a lot of use. It has more than the usual small (yet insignificant) marks on the body but has more serious dings on the metal flange around the rear element. All the glass is perfect and it has recently been for a full CLA courtesy of Leica Canada where a ding related bump on the mount was also smoothed away. It comes with hood, rear cap and a chrome 21mm finder and the asking price is $725US. I have had it in my posession for a few weeks and am quite happy with its performance and am attracted by the price as well as the fact that it shares the same filter size as my 35mm Summilux. On the other hand, I have been offered an Elmarit (circa '86-'87) listed as exc.++ condition at $1400 without finder but with hood and caps. I do not have the opportunity to try the Elmarit before purchase and find myself wondering whether it would be worth the extra $700 + finder. For obvious reasons, I am greatly attracted by the price on the Super Angulon package but wonder if you would agree that the price is good for a lens that ultimately would have to be classified as a "user" with clean glass. Has anyone on this list had the chance to compare the two lenses against each other or have any advice to offer? Any tips from Super Angulon owners? Thanks in advance, Jae