My copy will not clear the mirror at 21mm even if I disassembled the rear protective shroud. Is there anyone having the same problem? I thought this lens can be used on 5D2, but I was wrong.
I have been looking a bit into that lens, the Leica Vario Elmar 21-35 mm. f/3.5-4
I am attracted a lot to it. It seems like a very nice lens! It is easier to use with
a camera from Canon than it is with a camera from Nikon. With a Canon camera
via an adapter. With a Nikon camera via a reversible conversion done by Leitax
for around 230€. In both cases, either if you use the camera with Canon or Nikon,
one can start zooming out starting at 24 mm. From 21 to 23 mm. is apparently
not possible. In spite of that disadvantage, I feel very attracted to the lens. If
the optics are as amazing as they say, it is ok to lose a bit of focal length between
21 and 23 mm. Are the optics in this lens, as amazing as they ?? What would
be a good price to pay for it??
If you have any pictures on flickr or any other website, could you please show them
to us?
If you take off the rear lens shroud, do a bit of vandalism by filing down a millimetre or so along the mirror swing path (on the upper side of the metal on the rearwards part of the lens) , and then paint it with matte black paint, you will be able to focus to infinity even when the lens is set at 21mm.
Or you could switch to a Sony a900 or a99, order a Leitax mount, machine out a little space for the ribbon cable and ROM contacts, and end up with a full reversible conversion. Or switch to an M.
I mention these alternatives because modifying an R lens in any way that can't be reversed is going to limit your resale possibilities. It's not an inexpensive or easy lens to procure, and it will be difficult enough to resell in factory-fresh condition. If you plan to keep it forever, it doesn't matter, but if you think you'll ever want or need to sell it, I'd think twice about filing anything off.
True, and in a longer time perspective, lenses are far more valuable than cameras.
On the other hand, the Leitz 21-35 is likely to remain among the better full frame WAs for quite some time. If and when smaller sensors become intensely competitive, more compact lenses will take over and user prices will drop. By then, lenses that have been used will have their own nicks and scratches -and less collection value. Ihe hardline collectors will still demand shiny examples so those prices do not enter into the calculation. Even in, say, a 5 year perspective, the potential annual loss costs are quite small. An example from a lens with a similar pedigree is provided by a 100mm f2 Kinoptik which I took out of a cine mount 20 years ago, which is still providing excellent images, AND which probably can be disposed of at a solid price.
Comclusion; yes, mechanical lens surgery will reduce lens value to collectors (and wil give canny buyers a double advantage, easier use and stronger price pressure.) In the longer run, however, not much difference -
