Red Dot Forum Camera Talk: Wide-Angle Leica M Lenses

On this episode, we're taking a deep dive into wide angle Leica M lenses. From the vintage 21 Super-Angulon to the modern 18mm Super-Elmar and exotic 28mm Summulix-M ASPH we'll discuss all the available Leica M lens options wider than 35mm.

Timestamps:
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0:00 Welcome
2:57 How do you decide between a 21mm and a 24mm lens?
7:30 Is the Q2 a viable alternative to the 28mm Summilux-M?
12:33 Creative pitfalls to watch out for when using a wide angle lens
21:03 16-18-21mm Wide-Angle-Tri-Elmar
30:36 How does two WATE perform on the M10 Monochrom and is there more than one version?
32:30 Which wide angle lens has less wide open vignetting and what can I do to mitigate?
35:32 Difference between the 28mm Summilux and the Elmarit when stopped down to f/5.6, 8 or 11 for zone focusing?
40:53 Differences between the first and second versions of the 28mm Summicron and 28mm Elmarit, particularly on an SL or SL2?
48:20 How would you compare a Summilux with an equivalent Summicron lens?
53:50 Why no Noctilux version of wide-angle lenses?
55:47 What is the most compact 24mm possible that will still pair well with the M10M for wall size prints?
59:14 How come the Summilux only stops down to 1f/6 whereas the Elmarit stops down to f/22?
1:01:33 Is there a round lens hood available for the Summilux 28mm without effecting image quality?
1:02:10 Pros and cons of using a hood
1:04:21 Please tell us about the Summicron 28mm?
1:08:08 Does the 21mm Super-Elmar make sense on the digital CL?
1:09:08 Is the Leica Super-Angulon a good option for the M10?
1:10:28 How can a buyer tell which version of a lens is offered for sale?
1:13:09 Can you get a 1984 vintage Elmarit 21mm 6-bit coded?
1:15:16 Is there enough difference between a 28mm and 35mm to warrant owning both focal lengths?
1:20:15 21mm vs. 24mm for B&W landscape photography?
1:22:46 What happens when mounting a 6-bit coded lens on the SL?
1:24:28 18mm Super-Elmar-M lens
1:31:20 Which lens for astrophotography?
1:33:40 How variable is the focus ring stiffness between lenses?
1:37:28 18mm vs. WATE
1:42:35 What is your favorite wide angle?
1:44:23 Does the 21mm f/1.4 perform the same on the M10 and the SL2?
1:47:00 Why did Leica discontinue some of the wide-angle lenses?
1:49:00 Is using a 28mm lens doable without referencing the framelines on a film body by using the entire viewfinder window?

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[Ldsm]

Really appreciate the chapter marks on the video makes it very easy to come back to the video for reference!

[Antwortund]

I’m not much of a wide angle guy, but everyone ends up needing a WA in their kit. This was still very helpful in 2024. Thank you!

[heresiarh]

This talk show is just awesome. I rather watch 2 hours of mumbo jumbo on Leica gear vs some pop culture TV show on HBO/Showtime. What a great way to relax post-dinner. Yes, I am a nerd.

[alastaircowe]

Loving these Camera Talks . There is a special ‘Something’ about Leica lenses that pulls us in, even though I have no idea about the science and engineering behind them.

[jaredzzz]

Just watching this for the first time and want to reiterate how awesome the WATE is. I used it with an M11 on the Canadian-side Niagara Falls tour boat. There was no way in hell I was changing lenses, and those two handled things like a champ.

[EdoardoSantangelo]

You guys are amazing. Thank you so much for the great content you release fortnightly. It’s invaluable !!

[stephenvictor]

You answered many of my concerns. Thank you for doing you forum so well.

[joecunningham_mpls]

Watched this video a couple months after the fact. I have a few wide angles: the WATE, 21 Lux, and the little Summaron 28. The main reason I watched it, besides wanting to see your dog, is my Summaron. I like what it does but it's a one trick pony making 28 a prominent gap in my lens kit and I watched mostly for help deciding how to fill that gap. All the praise you two heaped on the Summilux made the decision very easy. Because of all the obvious effort that went into preparing that presentation, I'll order it from Miami and hope you guys get fat commissions. Thank you for the help

[nickt]

Hiya just noticed at 1:04 the caption on the time line is for a Summicron 38mm where it should be a Leica Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6

[andyvan]

at 1:41:05 this isn't always a bad thing, to break a composition rule, for instance, when I shoot my 500 c/m Hasselblad, as its 6x6 I have to compose differently, a more 'centred' approach as its a square format. One advantage of the center framing, is that if any vignetting occurs, intentional or not, the whole image is central to the frame, so no obvious cut off, its a more subtle affect.

[ronaldsand]

Great video as usual

Very informative providing well over an hour or two of entertainment

[ibrahimz]

Thank you so much for this great episode guys. I am a M10M user and I reserved the 24mm f1.4 and the 28mm Summaron and was cooking to purchase. But thank God I watched this ahead of that. Post listening to this, I completely switched the purchase and now waiting for the 28mm f1.4 and the 24mm Elmar to arrive :)

[richarddenise]

Gentleman, you keep upping the bar with each new episode. Bravo !

[smarty]

I bought a 15mm lens for one reason: Shooting in the ultra narrow alleys in Hanoi and Saigon, using the distortion as an element im my pictures. Incredibly sharp lens: Voigtländer 15mm/4.5 III. Any 24mm would have been like a tele lens. Used it with M240 with live view. Besides: Great cam talk!

[stephenvictor]

I’m expectant. I’ve wanted and needed this… thanks guys!

[andyvan]

nice lens series videos, can you make an R lens one to, as most content is on the M bodies and lenses, yes, they are still available, and current offerings, but talking about the history of the brand, and also options for second hand lenses, esp. if one gets an R body, would be invaluable knowledge to have.

[benoitpiret]

Got my hands in a 28mm summicron safari. Looks great and has no inscription in the front, but most importantly it has an integrated circular shade which is amazing to keep it small

[lothartabs]

So happy to retrieve you guys!! Thank you so much for those talks. Please keep them coming :-)

[magiccarpetrider]

You didn’t mention the 24mm Elmarit except in passing. Those 2 24mm options would be an interesting discussion.

Bummer: Match Tech doesn’t have a replacement cap for the 21SEM and 24 Elmar, both #14212, but eBay has many listed at $30-35 usd.

[ingrippi]

Message of the day for me "RedDotForum ist jetzt live: Red Dot Forum Camera Talk: Wide-Angle Leica M Lenses". Thank you so much for your "Talks" Although, due to Josh`s comment i just ordered one of the last Summarit-M 50mm f2.4 😀Regards, Harald from Wiesbaden/Germany ( just 80 km from Wetzlar)