Leica Elmarit M 21mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Introduction
Leica produces a variety of wide-angle lenses for their M cameras while different focal lengths like 18mm or a triple combination like 16mm, 18mm, 21mm Tri-Elmar lenses exist 21mm being the most popular of the wide angle focal lengths.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 Lens is perhaps one of their most favorite lenses, as the size, weight, and quality make it functional for everyday use. Weighing in at 310 gr. or 11.8 oz. It is practical enough to be taken on trips giving the full advantage to capture architectural, landscape and even street photography.
It is these features that have allowed Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 Lens to be a sought-after lens while focal lengths in Leica’s lineup of 24mm or 28mm still lag behind in popularity because of the versatility that 21mm provides to the user.
Sadly, Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens is no longer in production. For those who are advanced or professionals in photography will quickly point out that f/2.8 is perhaps one of the best apertures to have on a lens providing a versatility of capturing sharp images without being bog down with weight or size to gain speed for a lens.
Leica camera does produce 21mm F/1.4 in their Summilux line up. Technically speaking it is one of the best lenses in the world of photography. Although there have been reviews pointing out the fast speed for a wide angle lens is not necessary, there are plenty of photography application where a fast lens is of paramount importance including portraits.
As I always say, when it comes to lenses each lens has its merits and shortcomings, Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens is no exception. What is gained from a faster lens is traded off in weight and size leaving the choice to the buyer to decide which lens will serve him or her best for the type of photography he or she is engaged in.
For me, I prefer Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens because it is crisp sharp with as little distortion as possible at an angle that would make most other lenses in the market cringe in close comparison shots.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens has the advantage of low light if one is attempting to do architectural photography which is often difficult to capture without the aid of a tripod. If I am photographing architecture at night or low light, I like to be prepared even if I have a fast lens that means I bring along a tripod.
Tripods are essential tools for architectural or landscape photography because most often the photographs require ultimate sharpness and low distortion, especially in the corners. Framing and composition are also crucial in deciding what to leave in and leave out of the frame that means taking the time to do it right. My suggestion is to take your tripod along with you even if its compact or a monopod because you simply will take better photographs.
The moment tripod comes into use, most of the benefits of a faster lens diminish rapidly, because shutter can be held open longer without shaking the camera. Some may not like the effect of the shutter being open more than a second, but I find that within the limitation of a slower lens this may work out to be an advantage by creating long exposure shots.
For example, on a busy street, the light streaks from the vehicles on the road can create the effect of motion which is often, what photographers prefer to add a more of a dynamic effect to the photograph.
Beyond the speed, Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens is perfect being an ASPH lens which is short for aspherical where one or more lens is aspherical. This is important as in other lens manufacturers tend to avoid costly manufacturing processes involved in creating an aspherical lens which reduces the color and contrast in the photographs.
While, most manufacturers can attain very sharp images from their lenses, having an aspherical surface in lens design provides an advantage of creating more “lively” or “3D” effect.
If you consider that the lens you have purchased will be serving you for decades having a lens that is aspherical will yield you great results which will probably outweigh the initial cost of the more pricey lens.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens is a great lens for street photography as well. This is for two good reasons. One is as the focal length gets smaller for each stop the aperture opens wide a greater distance of frame falls into focus compare to longer focal lengths. That just means that you can set your aperture at f/5.6 and you can pretty much get all of the frames in focus if you shoot at infinity.
This is a superb advantage for street photography as you may know that things happen fast on the street and often the photographer may not have the time to focus or the circumstance don’t permit for him or her to photograph.
At 21mm, Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens captures enough of the background to create a unique rendering of the street or surrounding while maintaining the subject in focus. Having said this, there is one drawback from using focal lengths that are longer like 35mm or 50mm which is you have to get much closer to your subjects if you don’t want to have them way in the distance.
As always this is a trade-off between having a short focal length vs. longer focal length. In my professional practice, I choose what serves me best; I like getting close to my subjects and photographing them. That in your face look is what makes street photography incredibly attractive.
If you examine photographs of past great street photographers like Vivian Maier, you will see that her photography excels as she captures scenes closer and closer creating that “in your face” look.
Also, having a Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens presents a challenge for the street photographer learning to photograph moving subjects because it challenges the photographer to get close which often draws attention to the camera.
My word of advice listen to Frank Capra; he said: “if your pictures are not good enough, you are not close enough.” Are you close enough?
For landscape or architectural photographyLeica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens has been my constant companion because whether I am in Venice’s Piazza San Marco or Cinque Terre of Northern Italy, I feel that amazing colors and contrast can be achieved only by observing fundamentals of photography and the camera does the rest.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens is an amazing photography instrument because the photographer has the freedom to create and compose his/her photographs without having the camera do the thinking for the photographer. There are no auto corrections, beeps, green lights flashing in the viewfinder, over-riding of camera controls when the lighting conditions are less than ideal.
The art of photography may have lost much ground with the advancement of simpler lens designs and smartphone cameras becoming ubiquitous. But a Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens maintains the basic of what is needed to create an awe-inspiring photography composition by allowing the photographer to select the aperture and dial in the focus when most lenses today have omitted all controls from the lens body.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens can be 6-bit coded to allow the current digital M series cameras like the Leica M10 camera to be able to read the lens data thereby auto-correcting lens distortion which further improves the lens performance beyond the optical limitations.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens has an ultra-wide imaging angle of 92°, that simply translates to great landscape photographs. If you are able to capture the golden hour in places like Santorini or Cote D’Azur, the images will simply be amazing as the colors create very dynamic or even dramatic effect.
If you are walking through the streets of Rome, try photographing monuments like Trevi fountain where the Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens will help you to bring that 3D effect as the background rapidly diminishes and the foreground seems “live” and “monumental”.
My recommendation to anyone looking to purchase Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens is to buy it and keep it on your camera when you travel. You may actually capture some of your best photographs with it.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens with the 6-bit coding upgrade is highly recommended. Leica Camera will install the new electronic circuitry making your lens a better performer with precise auto-correction applied via your digital M camera. Always have the lens hood attached to protect the lens and avoid flares during day time shooting.
Although this lens is excellent for landscape photographer it is important to remember to utilize the lens hood to avoid unwanted flares. I always keep the lens hood on which also protects the front lens element.
Finally, keep photographing with the Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 Lens as it takes getting used to if you are not familiar with this focal length. I promise in due time the lens will yield great results and many years of excellent service.
Here are some links to get the best prices on some of my favorite Leica lenses.
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 Lens
Leica Summilux-M 21mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens
Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH Lens
Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21mm f/4 P Lens
Voigtlander Ultron 21mm f/1.8 Lens
ZEISS Biogon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZM Lens (Silver)
ZEISS Biogon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZM Lens (Black)
ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Lens (Black)
Other Wide Angle Lenses (Recommended *)
Leica Summicron M 28mm f/2.0 ASPH lens
Leica Summicron M 28mm f/2.0 ASPH lens (Used)
Leica Summilux M 28mm f/1.4 ASPH lens
Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH lens
Leica Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 lens
Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Lens
ZEISS Biogon T* 28mm f/2.8 ZM Lens (Black)
7artisans Photoelectric 28mm F1.4 Leica M Mount
Handevision IBERIT 24mm f/2.4 Lens for Leica M (Silver)
Leica Elmar-M 24mm f/3.8 ASPH. Lens
Leica Summilux-M 24mm f/1.4 ASPH. Lens
Leica Cameras:
Used Leica Cameras:
For my upcoming 2019 photography workshops, here are the links
We offer photography workshops around the world specializing in Leica cameras and lenses. You are invited to take part in one because what you gain from a dedicated photography workshop for Leica cameras and lenses. The tips and techniques you will learn in these workshops will take your photography to the next level also will stay with you for a lifetime. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you already own this amazing lens and have captured some great photographs with your Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 lens please send them to us and we will post them on our website.
As always, if you have any comments please write to us.
Thank you
Oz Yilmaz
Leica Review Team