Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH on M8?

[Cranialstrain]

Has anyone had any experience with the Tri-Elmar-M on the M8? I'm thinking of treating myself to one to experiment with but have heard little from those owning an M8.

How do they perform? Worth the dosh? Example pics?

CS.

[jaapv]

There are a large number of threads on the subject on the Leica Users Forum

[boilerdoc2]

it is awesome.

[zeitz]

Popular Photography reviewed the lens in this month's issue. The review is now on line.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/

[Cranialstrain]

Popular Photography reviewed the lens in this month's issue. The review is now on line.[/URL]Wonderful! Just what I needed, many thanks.

:D

CS.

[Olsen]

I bought my 16-18-21 mm 4,0 Tri Elmar together with my M8 (deal), because when you have a 1,3 crop camera you need a super wide lense to compensate for this. I regard the WATE, as it is called, together with the M8 as one of the very best wide angle/camera combo's on the market (together with Canon 1Ds II and the new 16-35 mm 2,8L II).

+
Resolution. Among the sharpest I have.
Low vignetting and CA.
Weight/compactness.
Excellent wide angle, even at 1,3 crop M8.

-
When using the filter holder/filter you have no sun shade.
Filter is far larger than the front lense glas and vulnarable to finger touches.
Front lense glas protrudes out of the lense barrel when at 16 mm; can easily be damaged.
Expensive! (Make a 'deal': Buy it together with the M8)

[Rayt]

What framelines does it bring up. I am asking this because if I get one I would like to be able to see the 24mm framelines when I am shooting at 21mm.

[Ben Z]

I'd love one, but it was too rich for my blood in the beginning, and now I read it's going up to almost $6K in the US and the Frankenfinder is included (gee, you don't think that's a ploy to force people to buy that monstrosity, now do you :rolleyes: ). I'll have to settle for the C/V 15 and 21, which weigh together about what the WATE weighs, (and cost less than the box the WATE comes in :rolleyes: ) Maybe someday a used one....

[Cranialstrain]

Just a quick (non intended gloating note) that I received mine last Tuesday and from the little I've managed to play with it, it's just superb, I'm in love!

:angel:

Must confess it was really far too rich for my blood but with the impending price increase I took the plunge and I'm not sorry I did; I'm confident I'll still have this lens in 20 years. The engineering and workmanship is just to die for.

Pictures soon I hope!

CS.

[Joe Mondello]

What framelines does it bring up. I am asking this because if I get one I would like to be able to see the 24mm framelines when I am shooting at 21mm.

It comes with it's own external finder. I have no clue as to which framelines will show in the VF.

[Ben Z]

I imagine it must bring up the 28/90 pair, because a 9cm bayonet adaptor is the one that, when coded and placed on a 15mm C/V, brings up the WATE menu.

[GrahamWelland]

28/90 framelines correct.

Get yourself an IR filter holder from John Milich & 49mm Leica IR filter for it and it's a superb lens combo. The Leica 67mm filter assembly really is a monstrosity by comparison.

Stunning lens. I'm glad I got mine but in reality you can get great results from the CV WA primes too, at the expense of some convenience.

The CV 12 complements the WATE for when you want to really go wide in the traditional sense.

[POINT OF VIEW]

The attached photos were taken with the M8, Tri Elmar 21,24,28 ( digital ) mounted.
What I like about the lens. Smooth focus ring, solid Leica Quality. Very sharp picture results. Dynamic color rendering.
What I am not too happy with. The necessity to focus in the camera and then frame the picture in the attached viewfinder. It’s a time restraint annoyance. I’m not sure the middle focal length ( 24mm )is necessary. I never used it on this shoot. I keep going from 21mm, to 28mm. There is very little difference from the middle (24mm ) to the low and high. By the way each time you shift, it is necessary to turn a knob on the mounted finder to match the lens setting.
I have not tried it on the M7 yet. The difference my be more dramatic in 16,18,21, mm ranges.
What I hate. This beautifully constructed Leica lens comes with a cheap plastic lens cover. It looks like something you would see on a toy camera. To make maters worse, it keeps sliding off the lens with the slightest touch. It works better if you attach it up side down.
Finally what is very cool. The viewfinder has a built in bubble level and it is very easy to see and use even with glasses.
I’m I happy with the lens, YES, but then I’m a big sucker for all things Leica. I just can’t help it. Bill
http://www.pbase.com/leicalight/tri_elmar_16-18-21

[docolmo]

28/90 framelines correct.



I've got the Elmarit 21mm ASPH, and I wish it brought up the 24mm framelines instead of the 28. If it did, so much easier to visualize more accurately the actual 21mm frame without an external viewfinder. Right now still a hit-or-miss adventure.

[Rayt]

I was hoping the WATE would bring up the 35/24 frame lines on the M8 so I can just mount a 21mm finder on the body and use the on camera finder for the 21mm position and the external for the 16mm position. Oh well....

[summilux]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1176/1243916327_2d8e27719f_b.jpg


WATE on M8, but I wonder if it is so much better than the CV15 Heliar...

[Speenth]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1176/1243916327_2d8e27719f_b.jpg


WATE on M8, but I wonder if it is so much better than the CV15 Heliar...
Indeed! Here are some similar 15mm Heliar images for comparison:

[summilux]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/1255691528_8e89b6e026_b.jpg

[summilux]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1304/1254841863_283f5c7a0c_b.jpg

[summilux]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1281/1248144533_58d7f70b17_b.jpg

[Leicabug]

WATE on M8, but I wonder if it is so much better than the CV15 Heliar...

Not much better tahn CV15 Heliar? WATE with viewfinder is selling in $5k range in US, if you can find one.

[Speenth]

Not much better tahn CV15 Heliar? WATE with viewfinder is selling in $5k range in US, if you can find one.


I'm sure the WATE is better than the Heliar 15mm, but the price differential is so great it would have to be! The fact remains, the CV 15 is superb for the price and has the notable further advantage of being tiny and very lightweight.

Attached is another example of the CV15's potential. Much is lost in reducing the image to 300Kb, but still it serves to demonstrate the lens's performance. This shot was taken at maximum aperture in late afternoon light, just 30 cm from the beer glass. Could the WATE, at 1,000% times the price of the CV15, produce even a 10% better image?

I am not criticising Leica lenses, I'm deeply in love with those I possess and I lust after several more. But the CV15 is extaordinary and should not be easily dismissed.

[Speenth]

Hi'Summilux,

Can you tell me how you're posting full size, unadulterated images here? I seem only to be able to attach images of 300Kb maximum.

What am I doing wrong?

[summilux]

Hi'Summilux,

Can you tell me how you're posting full size, unadulterated images here? I seem only to be able to attach images of 300Kb maximum.

What am I doing wrong?

Hi Speenth,

join www.flickr.com, the upper limit for each file is 10MB, yes 10MB.

I have the CV Heliar 12/5.6, they are of incredible value.

BTW, nice shot of beer glass, cheers.:)

[Speenth]

Hi Speenth,

join www.flickr.com (http://www.flickr.com), the upper limit for each file is 10MB, yes 10MB.

I have the CV Heliar 12/5.6, they are of incredible value.

BTW, nice shot of beer glass, cheers.:)

Hi' Summilux,

Thanks for the tip. My round I think!

[Cranialstrain]

BTW, does anyone know the difference between these two? .. I've ordered a WATE adapter from John Milich to fit one of these into but even he wasn't aware there were two versions!?

E49 black 13328
E49 "slim" for TRI-ELMAR-M black 13329

Any ideas?

CS.

[bluepenguin]

CVs are ASPH, but they generate flares or ghosts when you face to the light source.

I bought WATE, because I want to try the lens for light flare condition.

Of course there are zeiss 15mm too, but it's cost is high as well.

If you think about 16/18/21mm + no flare/ghost on your picture, I think I will try the option.

[leicashot]

As a general rule, a zoom/tri-focla lens is more succeptible to flare compared to a prime.....but not always......

[summilux]

ultra wide heliar (UWH) 12/5.6, small, fun and better built than the 15/4.5, on M8, it becomes 16mm.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/1285875651_9c3bd738ab_b.jpg



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1221/1292602028_901a9848ed_b.jpg

[summilux]

M8 + UWH 12mm


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1323/1285906471_fd5ef9a3d0_b.jpg

[summilux]

M8 + UWH

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/1285916135_f631381c4d_b.jpg

[summilux]

Leica M8 + UWH

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/1286816886_5930e6c5b8_b.jpg

[summilux]

Leica M8 + UWH:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/1286010661_56f9fa72ab_b.jpg

[summilux]

BTW, does anyone know the difference between these two? .. I've ordered a WATE adapter from John Milich to fit one of these into but even he wasn't aware there were two versions!?

E49 black 13328
E49 "slim" for TRI-ELMAR-M black 13329

Any ideas?

CS.

if it is for WATE, then it should be E67:

http://www.popflash.com/index.php?p=product&id=1569&parent=5

B&W also makes one.

[chocodip]

i just got m 16-18-21 len tdy, i m curious if i should get the universal viewerfinder as well.

please kindly advise

thks alot

[POINT OF VIEW]

It will increase the value when you have the set. More importunity it is absolutely necessary to properly compose to picture.


----------------------Posted earlier in the thread. ------------------------


The attached photos were taken with the M8, Tri Elmar 21,24,28 ( digital ) mounted.
What I like about the lens. Smooth focus ring, solid Leica Quality. Very sharp picture results. Dynamic color rendering.
What I am not too happy with. The necessity to focus in the camera and then frame the picture in the attached viewfinder. It’s a time restraint annoyance. I’m not sure the middle focal length ( 24mm )is necessary. I never used it on this shoot. I keep going from 21mm, to 28mm. There is very little difference from the middle (24mm ) to the low and high. By the way each time you shift, it is necessary to turn a knob on the mounted finder to match the lens setting.
I have not tried it on the M7 yet. The difference my be more dramatic in 16,18,21, mm ranges.
What I hate. This beautifully constructed Leica lens comes with a cheap plastic lens cover. It looks like something you would see on a toy camera. To make maters worse, it keeps sliding off the lens with the slightest touch. It works better if you attach it up side down.
Finally what is very cool. The viewfinder has a built in bubble level and it is very easy to see and use even with glasses.
I’m I happy with the lens, YES, but then I’m a big sucker for all things Leica. I just can’t help it. Bill
http://www.pbase.com/leicalight/tri_elmar_16-18-21 (http://www.pbase.com/leicalight/tri_elmar_16-18-21)

[cmogi10]

I never really thought I would have a place for a super wide angle until I read this thread.
Now I feel the gas throbbing for the CV 15mm, the WATE, as cool as it is, is just way to much money, I can think of half a dozen lenses I would use more and cost less.
But all this praise makes me really want to hold one in my hand and use it for a day.

[Hacker]

i just got m 16-18-21 len tdy, i m curious if i should get the universal viewerfinder as well.

please kindly advise

thks alot

You can use the VF with the CV 12mm set at 16mm.