Leica 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical Super Wide Angle Manual Focus Lens (11135)

by Leica

Product Details

• Item Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000AGAWQ
• Item model number: 11135
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

The Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens produces outstanding contrast and detail. Distortion is very minimal while at f/5.6 the lens is free of artificial vignetting.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sparkling and sharp to the corners - and small too, November 11, 2006

By 

Mark W. Bohrer "Technology Writer & Documenta... (Saratoga, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leica 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical Super Wide Angle Manual Focus Lens (11135) (Electronics)

I've used Leica M-cameras since the 1960s. Leica optics have always been excellent, but with a price. I was able to pick up this lens a few years ago, and it's the best lens with 21mm coverage I've ever owned. In most images, you won't notice the two stops of vignetting at f/2.8. Contrast and sharpness yield pictures you want to reach into and grab. Stopped down to f/4 and beyond, the vignetting goes away and excellent image quality extends to the corners.

The 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH outperforms Canon's EF 16-35mm f/2.8L at 21mm. I prefer the Elmarit for food and some architectural photography, but if you're used to seeing exactly what you'll get on film or pixels, this rangefinder lens isn't for you.

You'll need a separate 21mm finder to use the Elmarit on M-series Leicas or one of Voigtlander's M-mount Bessas. Beware Leica's plastic 21mm finder, 12 008. The mounting foot has a tendency to fall off, and it's hard to find an adhesive to reliably fix it.

Much better is Leica's metal Tri-Finder, 12 013. It works for 21mm, 24mm, and 28mm lenses on 35mm cameras. Its only downsides are its slight field curvature at 21mm, and its somewhat large size.