🔴 Best 21mm Lens for Leica? | Zeiss 21mm 2.8 Review (ZM Biogon 21mm vs Voigtlander 21mm f4)
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- Опубликовано: 30 июн 2020
- Ep.14) Best Leica 21mm lens option? Zeiss ZM Biogon 21mm f2.8 Review, Photos, Comparison
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Leica M Mount Zeiss 21mm f2.8 Biogon ZM lens review including Zeiss Biogon 21mm vs Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm comparison. Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm F2.8 ZM lens review with 21mm portraits and 21mm wedding photography images. 10 blade Zeiss Biogon design, the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 ZM is super sharp even wide open with little or no visible distortion and great flare resistance. Optically perhaps the best 21mm lens but 3x the price of the smaller Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm f4 lens. (Zeiss also offer a smaller Zeiss 21mm f4.5 ZM lens which is smaller in size verses the f2.8).
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you give such sound advice and it shows your true love of photography. Many thanks
rich phela Thank you Rich! Yes I definitely enjoy my photography so I’m happy it comes across in the videos.
I really like your work on Flickr and IG, and I've been enjoying your videos. FWIW, I have had the Zeiss 21/4.5 Biogon since last fall. I have found it a *great* lens for travel and street photography. Small and super, super sharp.
Brandon Look thanks Brandon! Ah yes small is always great for me, especially for travel as you say. I may get the 35mm f2.8 at some point to try too.
Having watched the opening 20 seconds of the vid I immediately went to check my 21mm zm biogon zeiss lens. It was rock solid with no give and normally functioning focus and aperture rings. However I have only had it a year with modest use.
mark palazzo thanks Mark, good to hear. I think I must have a bad copy. Mine in 5yrs+ old and I bought used too.
21mm Elmarit M would make sense as a comparison.
@@AdamCzarnowski Thanks Adam! I don't have that lens to compare to sadly. If I test in the future I will share it.
I bought my 21mm Biogon in 2013. While I don’t use such a wide lens all that often, it doesn’t just sit in my bag either. Mine focuses as smoothly and feels as solid now as when I bought it. Matt must’ve got a bad copy…the ZM lenses early on (mid/late 2000s) were prone to develop a dry and inconsistent focusing feel. My 50mm f/2 Planar, from early 2005, has a bit of this.
@@davidkieltyka9 Thanks, yes dry sticky focus sounds correct. Yes I think I got a bad copy.
The image you've taken with this lens are just superb and beautiful. You are a wonderfully talented photographer.
Thank you! Very kind. This is quite an old video.
My lens arrived last Thursday and my viewfinder yesterday. So far , I love it and balances well on the Bessa T.
Congrats Steve! I used the same setup for a few photos on Flickr for a UK trip
Great review Matt! I just bought the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm F3.5 version... I used to have the F4 version as well. 21mm is a cool focal length.
Thanks! Nice, I’ve not tried that version of the Skopar yet. I did just buy a 20mm though :) :) so video will come once I’ve used it
How does the 3.5 compare to the 4? I just bought the 4, reasoning that I'll probably be shooting at f/5.6 and up, so it wouldn't be worth spending extra on a bigger/more expensive version?
@@Renzsu The 3.5 is better in terms of IQ from what I recall from the F4. But at 5.6 upward maybe not noticeable. Especially if you already bought the F4, don't even worry about it regardless.
Picked up a Zeiss 21mm/2.8 Biogon ZM to go with my Zeiss Distagon 35mm/1.4 ZM. Both rock on my SL2-S. No slop in my copy of the 21 Biogon.
Yes amazing optics in these ZM Biogons. Good choice!
Nice one Matt! I have a bunch of ZM lenses and the newer copies the build quality has been largely resolved. The ZM’s that I have are all smooth with no play. In 21mm I have the 21/4.5 Biogon, it’s crazy sharp with zero distortion, and certainly more compact than the 2.8 copy, but the 4.5 max aperture is something to keep in mind. I also owned the 21/4 Voigtlander Color Skopar... and bang for buck it’s got to be the best 21mm RF lens on the market!
Michael Epstein Hi Mike, thank you! Great to hear your thoughts from the lenses you own. Yes the 2.8 is very useful for weddings for me but otherwise I use the f4 Skopar. :)
Michael Epstein ..and yes it seems I just have a bad copy so thanks for reporting the build too..
2:20 Matt, I had the same issue with my Voigtlaender Apo Lanthar 50mm. The focusing helicoid was not assembled correctly, I sent it back on warranty and got it fixed. My guess is that Cosina has quality control issues in their manufacturing locations where they both make Voigtlaender and Zeiss branded Cosina products.
Sorry to hear. My Voigtlander lenses have been ok so far so interesting to hear they get affected too.
Nice review Matt, of course the irony about the build quality is that Cosina manufacture both lenses. My Biogon is also stiff to focus. But you didn't mention that unless you have a very, very early version the Biogon's lens flange is designed so you can code it, with a coding template you just put a dab of black paint in the shallow rebate machined into the face of the flange. The rebate stops the paint rubbing off.
Steve Barnett thanks Steve, great info for anyone with that version of the lens. Mine is around 2013-2014 I think.
I use Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Biogon on a Contax G1 rangefinder. Used price was about $500 usd.
I also use a Leitz 21mm f/1.4 Summilux on a Leica M6 rangefider. Used price was about $4,000 usd.
At the same apertures, the image quality of the two lenses is very similar.
I use the Contax accessory view finder with both lenses.
Thanks! Yes the G1 lenses offer great value. I'm a big Biogon fan now, I use a CRF 35mm f2.8 via adapter to M.
I have a zeiss 25mm f2.8 and the sunstars are very striking and wonderful especially on night city/harbour type pics so it was interesting to hear your comments about that on the 21mm.
Its a shame that there are question marks about zeiss zm lenses build quality because optically they seem very good.
stephen edmunds yes optically they are excellent and agreed amazing sun stars. I have the 25mm somewhere. I will review when get to it and check build too.. I think I was just unlucky with 21mm.
Having recently invested in a few Zeiss ZM lenses for my Canon R6, my heart sank when I heard your opening remarks, though I have yet to notice any problem with mine. Now I'm in the market for a 21, still leaning towards the Zeiss 2.8, but I'm going to have to take Voigtlander seriously.
Hi Fred, I still rate this lens, I just got a bad copy it seems. The rendering is beautiful so don't let me put you off.
You didn't put me off at all, I just placed the order. I'm looking forward to this. Thanks for the great content!
Excellent review, saved me $1000 on this one will look for alternate 21mm
Annoyingly the optics are one of the best. I just got a bad copy I think. Still better than Skopar / Russar etc I use.
I've had a black ZM 21mm Biogon for about 8-10 years. I just had to have the focusing mechanism overhauled by DAG Repair and it's much better handling now. That was $190US. I also have the 25mm/2.8 ZM Biogon but that one has never given any problems. Obviously they have quality control problems.
Hi Tom, thanks! Yes I have 21 & 25. One is good, one need overhaul. Pretty poor for the price but fantastic optics.
Thanks! I'm interested in the new VM21mmF1.4 as it is apparently designed for sensors - how have you found the Skopar and Biogon with the CL, GH5 etc?
1.4 nice! I've not done tests or pixel peeping but i've seen no reduction in image quality from my use so far.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Oh, that's great news. I've found my 25mm Biogon gives a very frayed look on the X-Pro1.
@@fellowcitizen Ah good to know for fellow Fuji shooters. Yes I think the new Voigtlanders are excellent.
Any opinion on the newer Voigtländer 3.5/21mm Color Skopar Aspherical?
Hi sorry I only have the Skopar 21mm f4 which is excellent (see video!)(on video playlist)
Did you firstly check all counter lockrings on the back of the lens? I don’t know how this one is constructed but maybe one of those rings with the two grooves in it secures the lens assembly and that’s why it rattles
Thanks for writing. It feels closer to the front that feels loose. I don’t use this lens too much so I’ve not done anything about it yet.
How interesting as the only Zeiss lenses I have used have been for the Nikon's and there Binoculars and they seem amazing. If some one ask me before seeing this I would of but the two lenses very close to each other in build. Thanks..
John Hughes thanks John, I think I must just have a bad copy. I would expect better.
Thanks, interesting video. Just took a quick look at the prices from a German dealer. For almost the price of the Zeiss I could get a Voigtlander Ulron 21 mm f 1.8. Have to admit I did not compare the sizes, the Voigtlander Ultron looks rather big.
R. J. Yes the Ultron lenses are larger and i think the Zeiss optics are better so it depends what is most important to you..
I have one of these I got about 8-10 years ago and it is solid, no rattling. I’d guess you ought to exchange that one for another. Or they’ve let build standards slip badly. But mine is a black one.
Thanks Tom, I think I got unlucky with this sample. I still love the Biogon optics.
Hi thank you but what about the Leica M 21mm F2.8 to Zeiss 21mm F2.8? Also the rattling or the loosens can be fix.
Thanks re fix. I've not used a 21mm Leica enough to make a video. If I get a chance I will.
Thank you Matt but, unfortunately the 21/4 skopar disappointed me in terms of magenta chromatic aberrations at the edges, used on the M240. While the 50 / 1.5 Nokton Voigtlander II version is fantastic
Sorry to hear this. Yes I use the 21/4 for B&W so I guess I avoid this. Same is true with the 15/4.5 too but much more so.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thx for your answer☺️
Thanks Matt because I was looking for a 21mm or 28mm
Aubrey Haines Hi! Your cheapest option is the 21mm Skopar I think if you can make do with the wider focal length.
I have Voigtlander 21mm f/4 and 28 elmarit-m. Even though I like 20mm-ish lens really much but on leica 28mm makes so much more sense and 28 mm sits on my leica most of the time.
That loseness issue you have with the Zeiss, I've seen guys on Leica forums talk about this on Leica lenses, they will lose over time. Apparnetly there is a screw you can get to without too much of a headache that tightens it all back up. I'd be curious if the Zeiss is fixable as well, or if it's just loose from too much space between the helicoil.
Thanks Alik! Mine is totally dried out (like it was never lubed). Noted about the screw, thanks!
Does the 21mm f/4.5 have the same rear element protrusion problem on an M-10R?
It fits no issue unlike the older Zeiss Biogons with the fat rear element which fit very few cameras. I can't remember what I say in the video regarding purple fringing but from memory no issue. I use it for weddings.
Hi Matt, love the images you showed at the end of the video! I don't own a leica but a fujifilm xpro3 and now looking to a manual lens. My choices are voigtlander 21f3.5 color scopar or the zeiss biogon 21f2.8.
This video seems to give me a better view on who's the winner between the two.
Hi Ferdiyan, thanks! The Skopar is a nice size but to me the Biogon is better optically. Amazing lens.
The 21mm focal length is excellent for landscape and architectural photography. I have the Fuji 14mm f2.8, which is equivalent to the 21mm focal length.
Yes Steve, agreed! I love 21mm for that. The little 21mm Skopar is also good and much smaller.
Yes, the F2.8 Biogon ZM 21mm has next to no distortion.
The smaller and cheaper F4.5 has none. I bought if for different purposes: photographing artwork in tight spaces, then landscape and architecture and all on film Leicas.
The 2.8 is best for your work, also because the 4.5 is not digital sensor friendly. The rear element is just a tad to close to the sensor. The 2.8 is ever so slightly retrofocus, eliminating this problem. 👌
Great info tre. 2.8 vs 4.5 . Yes a really great performing lens for sure.
That's what the Voigtlander 21mm F3.5 is for, digital sensors.
Thank you for a good review. Well I'm happy that I don't own a Zeiss 21mm :-) I have the older Leica 21mm Superangulon 3,4 and it's fine for film.
John Larsen thanks John. I’m sure most of the copies are fine but Leica is certainly better! :)
Matt baby..shall I buy the voglander 21m for mg fuji x and go and enjoy or WHAT?
Check with the Fuji shooters but yes I think they like the 21mm Skopar :)
have only the color akopar but am pleased enough with it
Ansgar Book it’s a great lens!! :)
I always find the comparisons between Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses interesting since they are made by the same company. I would imagine they would have the same quality. I have a Voigtländer lens and the quality feel high. But I’ve heard some complaints about Zeiss. Especially when it comes to focusing issues.
Francisco Rodriguez Yes my Voigtlanders have been much better and I have quite a lot of them.
Thanks for your excellent reviews. Shame that you have such a shoddy Biogon. Mine has been faultless. I changed from a Color Skopar to a Biogon for the extra stop but mainly because I found metering with it (Color Scopar) on a M9 was always hit and miss. Although fine on M6 and M8. Other than that it was magnificent and tiny and I loved it.
Thanks Nigel! Yes annoying about the Biogon but luckily it has good optics. I have the 25mm version too which is without issue. Yes I love the Skopars too! :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I only discovered you yesterday and thank you for such fine videos. I've been looking at a lot of you tube recently to make sure I make the right decision. Your content has been helpful. I have 2 M cameras, M9 & M Monochrom and both have corroded sensors. So taking advantage of Leica trade in offer before they change their minds! Can't stretch to 2 new Ms so have been losing sleep over if I get a M10R, will I miss the Monochrom. Other choice was a M10M plus a CL but I find the CL a bit fiddly. Anyway, thank you fo your work and thank you for paying attention to your comments stream.
Is this lens optically same as the contax g 21mm f2.8 biogon?
Hi Teng, no ZM lenses are made in the Cosina factory.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom So did Germany produce the zeiss lenses for the former Contax G cameras instead of Japan/Cosina?
@@vangstr I’m not sure if the old G lenses made in current factory
Actually the two Zeiss lenses that are rockstars are the 15mm f2.8 and the 85mm f2.0
I bought the 85 but it was a bad copy so it went back. I like my 15mm Voigtlander
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Was it the 85/f4 Tessar or the 85/f2 Sonnar? The latter was made in very small quantities in Germany and sells for very high prices now on ebay.
@@ucprof2008 f2 Sonnar
I don't own the ZM version of the 21mm, but have owned many of the Zeiss lenses, including the ZF 21mm 2.8, and my current favorite, the 35mm C Biogon 2.8. I think the rendering and 3d pop you get from a Zeiss lens allows you to let your money go far while delivering distortion free signature looks. I can't say why your 21mm is rattling like that, but has not been my experience with the brand overall, and I have owned at least 8 different Zeiss products. The only dud I have ever had in terms of build quality was the Zeiss Touit 12mm, which used plastics and just could not take the beating I give lens in real world use.
Robert Stacy Thank you Robert. I have used the 50mm f2 and 50mm f1.5 ZM lenses in the past and from memory they were both fine, Currently I also have the Zeiss ZM 25mm (review still to follow) and that lens has no issues. I think I just got a bad copy with the 21mm sadly. That said they are too expensive for this at around £800+ when I bought it. :(
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I don't know if the lens is in warranty or not, but when I had an issue with the Touit, Zeiss did take care of it promptly and without complaint. I do think you got a poor copy, because all of my other Zeiss kit has be as good as my Leica glass.
Robert Stacy thanks yes I’ve had it a few years (since when I had my M9) so I think it is out of warranty but equally I should probably try to follow it up and contact them. Thanks
Biogon design has almost no distortion, as most symmetrical design lenses too. It’s the introduction of retro-focus designs to make room for mirrors that created distortion issues for WA lenses.
Nico Cazals thanks Nico! I’m
Using a 35mm Biogon Contax Mount too currently to try.
i had to lubricate my zeiss 25mm i bought new and it squeaks and still stiff
You can see why they stopped making lenses. Poor quality control even if great optics.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom true. I did not know they had stopped, i thought they were just slow in development :) yes, a shame i would definitely use it more if i got it serviced
When are you going to do a Live on RUclips ?
Ted Shields ha, erm when enough people want me too!
Ted Shields ..and thanks for your interest!
I'll be there when this happens!
ZM lenses are as good or in some cases better then Leica lenses i.e. my ZM 2.8/35C. Your lens looks new, returns it, get it fixed, or fixes it yourself, takes all of 10 minutes. In the past one of my Leica 2.0/35 mm had a same issue as your 21 ZM, was return to Leica for repair. Voigtlander lenses are of lower quality then ZM ones in my experience.
jan frosty thanks, it might be fast to tighten if a researched how but it needs more than that with the sticking focusing. Yes I hear the 35mm Biogon ZM is very good. Maybe I’ll try in the future. Thanks.
Cannot confirm the bad build quality. Have a Biogon ZM 2/35 and a Planar ZM 2/50. Both are smoothly operating with no play. Absolutely en par with my Leica lenses. I guess you grabbed a bad copy.
Andreas Wytzisk thanks Andreas, yes it seems I was unlucky, thanks for confirming your experience.
You got a bad copy. I am quite certain that your 21mm Biogon’s build quality is not typical Japanese standard (this series of Zeiss is made by Cosina licensed by Zeiss if I remember correctly.
Thanks Derek, Correct and yes a bad copy sadly see my 25mm video for a working Biogon.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I might get the 25mm Biogon to be adapted to my Canon EOS RP based on your recommendation, if there is no crazy "wide angle M-mount lenses on mirrorless full frame camera artifacts" , that is. Thanks for the good work.
By the way, please check out my comment on your "Leica M Pre-ASPH 90mm F2 lens review" I just left and let me know if I am wrong.
@@温老師 yes 25mm is excellent! I will get back to you on new comments this week.
Unfortunate you had a moody copy. Fortunately there's nothing untoward about my copy, I love the way it renders filmic images which at the same time are so bitingly sharp, the B&W files are just amazing. There is a slight fall off in light at the edges wide open, but that's fixed with applying the lens profile in Adobe Camera Raw. It's interesting, compared to my Summicron 35 iv, the Biogon & Sonnar do render differently but they render so uniquely in way I don't think had be improved upon by Leica glass (maybe equalled whilst rendered differently) and I wouldn't change them for a thing. Also, when it comes to sunstars, pretty much all of the Zeiss lenses (and the Voigts) blow the Leica glass out of the water.
Thanks yes even with a ‘MrLeica’ blog I agree Leica don’t make lenses that render like Biogons. I really like them
too. Agreed for Sunstars, the Ultrons especially, see my recent 35/1.7 video. Amazing lens!
I think zeiss lenses have more contrast and are sharper than voigt lenses
Agreed, contrast helps give sharper look
Zeiss data show that the 21mm Biogon is the sharpest lens ever created, resolving more than 800 lpm.
Weihan Xingqi great info thanks! Sharper than the Mamiya 7 43mm!? I know that is a similar Biogon design too.. I bought it recently to try!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Mamiya 7 43mm?? Me no Leica. :)
@@Xingqiwu387 Yes I use many difference cameras :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I always thoroughly enjoy your very informative videos! Outstanding work. Actually, I had the Mamiya 7 and several lenses a while back but sold it because I didn't like the look or feel of the images. For travel, I prefer my old Rollei TLR with the 80mm Xenotar.
Weihan Xingqi thanks for your kind feedback. Yes I’m still struggling to live the Mamiya 7 but still trying with new lenses every so often! My main interest is shooting 35mm pano and I’ve now got the proper adapter kit too. It makes more sense to use the Xpan I have but I like to be difficult I guess ha.
Shame on you, you obviously received a defective 21 Biogon, because the loose helicoil is not the standard of the Zeiss (Cosina) factory. If the lens was new you should have sent it back to Zeiss for replacement or repair, If it was used you had the right to reject the lens (ebay) or to send it to Zeiss for repair. The chacteristics you describe are not common. I know because I own and use 7 Zeiss ZM lenses 2 Voigtlander and 7 Leica lenses and none of these are 👻loose or defective in any way.
Thanks, yes frustrating to get a bad copy
21mm super Elmer best
Depends. I've used both and think the Biogon will win for me but others like the Leica. See that video.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I’m thinking to buy Leica 21mm Super Elmar f3.4 ASPH (£2850) or Summicron M 28 f/2 ASPH (£4400). Which one is better glass? I have the 35mm Lux and 50mm APO.
One lens is 2011 design and other new design
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom you referring to Zeiss 21mm f2.8 Biogon T ZM Silver ?
Nah, the best 21 is the SEM
I’ve not used that one yet