Which Leica 24?

[w1234ale]

I am going to get a Leica 24 and am trying to figure out which is best from an IQ perspective.

Summilix

Elmarit

Elmar

Also from a practical use quality as well. The faster the lens the larger it is and the more likely you will have a focus problem switching your eye from the internal to external viewfinder I would expect.

I am leaning towards the elmar, but I am interested in your thoughts. I do have a 35 lux when speed is needed.

I shoot both indoors and outdoors and all sorts of subjects.

If any of you have had experience with these different lenses I would be grateful to hear your experiences.

[jaapv]

From an IQ perspective there is no choice. Within their speed they are all three superior, better than 99% of us are photographers. The main considerations are your wallet and need - and the size and heft as far as the Summilux is concerned. The Elmarit is one of the best lenses Leica ever built, with a filigrain rendering of fine structures and microcontrast. The Elmar is more modern in its look, with an extremely precise rendering, The Summilux is amazing ,the most characterful one of the three. Wide open the plane of focus has a beautifully sculptured sharpness, with a very smooth transition to OOF areas. It is a look I love, and unique (albeit shared with the 21) Stopped down a bit it is very close to the Elmar. I used to have the Elmarit and replaced it by the Summilux. Every shot it takes looks better than I expected. Focussing is not a problem and I do use it without external VF regularly.

[kzphoto]

I own and use the 24 Elmarit quite often. It has a unique rendering I cannot replicate with any other lens. If I could find something similar in a 50, I'd be set.

The Elmarit is large in comparison to other M lenses, but it handles well enough. It doesn't balance well on the GXR system due to it's weight. The colors / sharpness it produces has astounded me on many occasions. If Leica made a 24 f/2 with similar performance, I'd own it. The Elmarit is so good, I had to have other 24mm lenses in other mounts. Nikkor 24 f/2.8 and the Fuji Natura Black f/1.9. The Nikkor pales in comparison and the Fuji lens is a totally different beast: Smooth OOF areas, and a beautiful color rendering with a noticable vignette.

My money is on the 24 Elmarit, only because great deals can be had. I've seen them go for as little as $1900 bucks, which is cheaper than the 24 Elmar. I haven't handled the Lux, but from all accounts it has a different rendering entirely.

Here's a few samples:


Flying on a Ladder by kzamani, on Flickr


Piano, Meet Fence. by kzamani, on Flickr

Erwin Puts has great advice for any wide angle lens: bend your knees. It puts the lens in a better position to make dynamic images (at least if you're shooting people.)

[jaapv]

It may be a bit odd, but the little Elmar-M collapsable has a similar fine drawing as the 24 Elmarit imo,. Maybe just a little bit less delicate in the finest structures, but then, it is a different focal length of course.

[phaedrus]

Bought the Elmar 24 mm a few weeks ago and have nothing but good to say about it. Plus, I think on the M9's sensor, the depth of field at open aperture is thin enough.

[seakayaker1]

Love the Elmar, a sweet lens . . . . .



MP and 24 Elmar




M9 and 24 Elmar

[Nando]

I have the 24mm Elmarit-M ASPH and I just love how it renders. I don't use it much because I find it difficult to compose with lenses wider than 35mm. Otherwise, it could have very well been my favourite Leica lens.

I haven't tried the newer Summilux nor the Elmar but I can highly recommend Elmarit.


Getting a Haircut, Os Irmãos, Coimbra by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr


Tia Zulmira In Her Summer Kitchen, Vila Boa by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr


My Mother, Alcobaça by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr


Igreja Matriz, Mortágua by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr

[w1234ale]

Wow, such great input! Thank you also for posting images. Well it would appear that I can't go wrong with any of the lenses. I hadn't put much thought to the Elmarit but it is great to hear that it has a unique look and may be a little les modern than the Elmar. I would like to get a Lux someday but I'm not sure it is the cards at the moment. I have to say though that I have been concerned that I might be a bit limited by the slow aperture of the Elmar and the Elmarit might be the perfect compromise.

If others have other thoughts and photos I would be excited to see them.

Thank you!

[w1234ale]

Nando, are these film? I really like the images.

Originally Posted by Nando

I have the 24mm Elmarit-M ASPH and I just love how it renders. I don't use it much because I find it difficult to compose with lenses wider than 35mm. Otherwise, it could have very well been my favourite Leica lens.

I haven't tried the newer Summilux nor the Elmar but I can highly recommend Elmarit.


Getting a Haircut, Os Irmãos, Coimbra by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr


Tia Zulmira In Her Summer Kitchen, Vila Boa by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr


My Mother, Alcobaça by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr


Igreja Matriz, Mortágua by ~ Nando ~, on Flickr

[Nando]

Originally Posted by w1234ale

Nando, are these film? I really like the images.

Thank you. Yes, I used Tri-X for all the above photographs.

[w1234ale]

That is great detail out of Tri-x. What developer did you use and what scanner?

[kbg32]

I would also have a look at the ZM 25/2.8 Biogon.

[huntjump]

Originally Posted by kbg32

I would also have a look at the ZM 25/2.8 Biogon.

agreed. very nice lens for a very affordable price

[peter_n]

I've used the Elmarit for a long time and used to have two of them. I really like the rendering of it and was going to get a Summilux but was never absolutely sure I needed f1.4 in a lens that is approaching super-wide and I'm still not. So I still have the Elmarit and it seems to be a good middle choice in terms of the 24s available from Leica.

[kzphoto]

Originally Posted by jaapv

It may be a bit odd, but the little Elmar-M collapsable has a similar fine drawing as the 24 Elmarit imo,. Maybe just a little bit less delicate in the finest structures, but then, it is a different focal length of course.

Are we talking the 50 f/2.8 or the 90 f/4 macro? If the colors and details rendered are at all similar in either lens, I'd be ecstatic. I own a few Konica KM lenses but the pallete And contrast don't really match my 24.

[35mmdelux]

Originally Posted by Nando

Thank you. Yes, I used Tri-X for all the above photographs.

Great shots, Nando -

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by kzphoto

Are we talking the 50 f/2.8 or the 90 f/4 macro? If the colors and details rendered are at all similar in either lens, I'd be ecstatic. I own a few Konica KM lenses but the pallete And contrast don't really match my 24.

The Elmar M is the 50/2.8

[LCT]

Originally Posted by kzphoto

Are we talking the 50 f/2.8 or the 90 f/4 macro? If the colors and details rendered are at all similar in either lens, I'd be ecstatic...

I have no experience with 24s but both Elmars 50/2.8 and 90/4 macro are very close at f/4 and on.

[w1234ale]

Well my fellow rangefinder addicts you have convinced me and I purchased a 24 Elamarit today.

Thank you for your help!

[Nando]

Originally Posted by w1234ale

That is great detail out of Tri-x. What developer did you use and what scanner?

The developer was HC-110 dilution B. I use a Nikon Coolscan V for scanning 35mm film. Congratulations on the purchase!

[Nando]

Originally Posted by 35mmdelux

Great shots, Nando -

Thanks. :-)

[w1234ale]

So, I just received my 24 Elamarit today and did a neighborhood walk around photo shoot and I have to say I am very impressed with this lens. It is sharp, has great handling, nice micro contrast, and great smooth bokeh. I am very happy I went with the elmarit over the elamr because of the speed advantage and the nice out of focus rendering. One thing that is really cool as well is how close it focus, 28 inches.