Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/05/24

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Subject: Re: Opinions on M 21mm f2.8
From: John_McLeod@designlink.com (John McLeod)
Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 21:15:44 GMT

I have owned the following late model M lenses:  21/2.8, 35/2, 50/2, 90/2.  In
terms of overall sharpness at various apertures measured with an 8x loupe, the
50 is the best, closely followed by the 21, then the 90, then the 35 (I own
only the 50 and 35 at present -- even the 35 is excellent).

Despite the lukewarm response to the 21/2.8 by some Leica folks, I was struck
by the tack sharp quality this lens had.  The best way I can describe the look
of the in-focus areas of Kodachrome 25 slides shot with this lens is what you
see when you look through a darkroom grain focuser and the image snaps into
focus in a way that reveals the film grain.  With some shots, it's harder to
find the focus.  With others, you know the image is in focus because the grain
"pops" out.  This is how slides looked with the 21/2.8.  To me at least, this
is a good thing, and made parting with the lens and finder very difficult.

Despite its quality, I never got used to using the accessory finder though. 
Probably would have, but cutting my teeth on SRT-101s and Nikons makes the R
wideangles easier for me to use -- Look through ONE viewfinder for framing,
exposure, and focus.

John McLeod