Has anyone used this lens. Comments on build and image quality? It's supposed to be better than the Super Angulon 21F3.4. Hype or reality?

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001

Answers

I never used any 21mm before, but the build quality is in line with other CV lenses -- very, very good. Brightline viewfinder is a real treat. I have no complaints as to the sharpness, but the lens flares rather easily if you have light sources in the frame. But AFAIK this is a problem with all 21mm lenses, Leica included.

-- Alexander Grekhov (grekhov@wgukraine.com), September 10, 2001.

Here is a report by a very reliable Leica-User member. Scroll down after going here:

http://www.cameraquest.com/VCBessaT.htm

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), September 10, 2001.

Alexander:

FWIW, my 21 Elmarit asph and pre-asph both handle flare very well. Even when the sun is in the image, there is rarely any ghosting.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), September 10, 2001.

Its not hype its a great lens. I originally bought one in Nikon rangefinder mount and was so impressed with it I just sold my Leica 21 2.8 Pre asph, and intend to buy one for my M as well. It has less light fall off and less edge distortion than that Leica lens and by all acounts same as the SA as well. I think the ASPH is most likely better but thats too big for me, I love the size of the Voigtlander as speed is not a major concern for me f4 is fine. At one sixth the price of the the ASPH its great value.

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

Thanks guys. Just paid for one today :-)

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.