joakim wrote:
Does anyone in this thread has any experience with the Leica Vario-Elmar-R 21-35/3,5-4 ASPH? I'm primarily interested in it for landscape so the fact that it is a little slow doesn't bother me.
For Nikon User, I will recommend 14-24 16-35 over this. For the price and performance ratio. But for A7/R, I like this one for its very small size and real aperture .
It is a great lens after 28mm, and excellent lens after 24mm. at 21mm with 6D, I have to stop down to f11 and focus by corner to have cross frame sharpness. It has very strong FC, so I will not recommend it for M240 with its limited LV implementation.
Flare is so so, but the 14-24 Nikon I had also having flare problem which 21 Biogon ZM has non.
I found for zoom like this, I used 21mm more than 50%, it is a pity it doesn't have great performance at its 28~35mm setting.
Some samples from it with 6D, most at 21mm end. Only really used it twice so far. I put high hope using this on A7R. The lens is useless if not use EVF or LV for its slow speed.
Larger size this time, hopefully, don't get complain.
BTW, I never consider myself critical enough to give thorough evaluation about lens performance. After certain threshold, I no longer care much about sharpness, sharper? of course better and more exciting. This lens seems meet my requirement I wish it offer more coverage. consider all Canikony will have something like 14-24, 16-35 range are more useful.
joakim wrote:
Does anyone in this thread has any experience with the Leica Vario-Elmar-R 21-35/3,5-4 ASPH? I'm primarily interested in it for landscape so the fact that it is a little slow doesn't bother me.
For me, the 21-35 is a perfect walkaround lens. It has very good first-impression rendering at all settings. With in focus subjects, I prefer it to my Elmarit 35 (latest model), which is sharper on center but that's rarely where my main subjects are placed. For the bulk of the image, the 21-35 is superior. On an APS-C sensor, there are few technical qualities to criticize; that's about the image circle of excellence with this lens at every setting.
That said, at the wide end the lens has quite strong aberrations in the corners. The focal plane pushes out and tangential sharpness just doesn't exist.
I don't mind that because few of my images (perhaps none) require corner-to-corner detail at infinity. The overall rendering--as you can see in Zhangyue's work--does the scene justice.
If you think of the 21-35 as an Elmar 31/3.9 that can also take acceptable pictures at 21mm, you will be happy. Wide open at 31mm and focus at 2m is where I reset my lens after taking a picture. If you're looking for an Elmar 21/3.5, like the Super Elmar M 21/3.4, that can zoom tighter, then you'll be disappointed. The Elmarit 19 would be your pick of the litter at that point.
JonPB, I full agree with you about 21-35, I feel it is even lighter than my 35cron R. The size and overall performance place it top for my travel and occasional Landscape need.
shute wrote:
zhangyue, has your A7r arrived? have you tested with your 21-35, keen to know…
On the way. I am not sure I have time to test it with 21-35,(that is tripod + LV + optimizing focus deal) but I am pretty sure I will take a quick look with 35 and 50 R and M lens I have on hand. if you can bare with my slowness, I might be able to share some of my finding of 21--35 later
to the contrary that most on going discuss in varies thread here now, I am not so worried about how lens perform on this new platform, as I never really pix PPed my image. It will save tons of weight and size for me to bring it with me during travel and having best of 35mm sensor IQ itself is enough to justify its value in my bag.
In the mean time, a shot from 80lux WO. I love its peaceful rendering. This is the lens remind me 58mm 1.4G images. If that one is metal build with awesome focus mechanics for MF, I will fell in love. But I am not so sure it is a good choice for every one pick a 58mm as portrait only lens as this 80mm does.
zhangyue wrote:
JonPB, I full agree with you about 21-35, I feel it is even lighter than my 35cron R. The size and overall performance place it top for my travel and occasional Landscape need.
On the way. I am not sure I have time to test it with 21-35,(that is tripod + LV + optimizing focus deal) but I am pretty sure I will take a quick look with 35 and 50 R and M lens I have on hand. if you can bare with my slowness, I might be able to share some of my finding of 21--35 later
to the contrary that most on going discuss in varies thread here now, I am not so worried about how lens perform on this new platform, as I never really pix PPed my image. It will save tons of weight and size for me to bring it with me during travel and having best of 35mm sensor IQ itself is enough to justify its value in my bag.
In the mean time, a shot from 80lux WO. I love its peaceful rendering. This is the lens remind me 58mm 1.4G images. If that one is metal build with awesome focus mechanics for MF, I will fell in love. But I am not so sure it is a good choice for every one pick a 58mm as portrait only lens as this 80mm does.
take your time Zhangyue. I cancelled my preorder of a7 one day before it arrives. Sad but I'd better be cautious - whatever I choose now is going to be my main body instead of an alternative or backup.
waterden wrote:
I have been very tempted by the R 21-35 but some think it rather soft at the wider focal lengths. Interested to hear other opinions. http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/leica2135test.html
The problem for that review is I am not sure the corner evaluation is optimized by LV focus which take care of FC. That makes a huge difference in real world landscape usage.
Michael, beautiful pic of your son
Philippe, love the statue with the Eiffel bokeh. Splendid shot.
Jack, beautiful pics on the last page. Top class processing as well.
rdst, great bokeh and colors.
Hello to all... Absolutely love this thread!! Long time follower, but I've always been a Zeiss/Contax fan, and still am, but...
One of my customers, a fellow Fm'er and his wife are huge photographers, and between them both, have a plethora of camera/lenses, from Leica all the way to 4/3rds, and lots in between!! Well, after seeing images from this thread, and trying to limit my lenses(G.A.S. is a horrible thing!!! Especially on FM!!), I might not be able to do the prior(limit, that is)...so...
They have gone out of country for two weeks, and Diane was kind enough to let me borrow her collection of R lenses, whilst they are away!! They include: R 24 Elmarit E60, R 35 Summicron E55, R 50 Cron E55, and R 90 Elmarit E55.
I am in heaven, and I just only got my R to EOS adapter, today!!
Here are a few shots, albeit nothing like most examples from previous posters, from just around the house! I have two weeks to indulge, and then I might have to buy into the "R" phenomenon!!!
Thanks for looking,
Gregg
Michael...You're my inspiration for wanting to get into the R craze! I love looking at any of your photos, but your R ones are my favorite. The shot of your son on the playground with the 80 Lux, is stunning!!
Funny, how I see a lot of your photos are from here in Santa Cruz at Natural Bridges Park! I've done several shoots for pregnant/couples there over the years!!
And I know, now, especially with the A7/R craze, people will be trying to snatch up all the "R" lenses!!
Thank you for your kind words above.
Gregg
I wish it offer more coverage. consider all Canikony will have something like 14-24, 16-35 range are more useful. 
