Fuji Neopan ACROS 100 is like the James Bond of black-and-white films—smooth, refined, and always reliable. Its fine grain is its standout feature, making it a favorite among photographers who crave detail and clarity. While I personally use ISO 100 films more for shooting wide open than chasing grain perfection, I can’t deny that ACROS 100 delivers a level of smoothness that’s hard to beat in its price range.
That said, let’s be real: if you’re a grain-obsessed perfectionist, you’re probably already shooting 120 film. Let’s face it, 135 can’t compete with the sheer resolution of medium format. But for those of us shooting 35mm or even half-frame cameras, ACROS 100’s fine grain holds up beautifully under enlargement. It’s like the film equivalent of a high-definition TV—crisp, clear, and easy on the eyes.
Imagine bench-pressing a Rolls-Royce engine block—if that engine were forged into a camera lens. The Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH (2025 price: 12,000–12,000–15,000) isn’t just a tool; it’s a 700g brass-and-glass flex of optical machismo. Born in 2008 to outshine its siblings (Noctilux f/1.0 and f/1.2), this “King of Bokeh” redefines excess. Forget gym memberships—carry this lens daily, and your biceps will thank you.
f/0.95 (2008): The CEO cousin—smoother bokeh, clinical precision, Billie Eilish cool.
Chinese Proverb Footnote:“一山不容二虎” (“One mountain cannot shelter two tigers”) A nod to their rivalry—both majestic, both demanding the spotlight.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Bokeh Hedonists: Who measure life in shallow depth-of-field ✓ Leica Collectors: Building shrines to Wetzlar’s glory ✓ Contrarians: Who’d choose a 700g lens over gym weights
Avoid If: You shoot landscapes, value portability, or fear credit card bills.
Final Verdict: The Unapologetic Beast
The Noctilux f/0.95 isn’t a lens—it’s a statement. For the price of a Tesla down payment, you gain:
A handheld observatory, turning night into Renaissance paintings
“A lens that whispers: ‘Light bends to those who dare.’”
Pro Tips:
ND Filters: B+W 60mm Slim—unless you enjoy shooting f/0.95 at ISO 6.
Grip Hack: Wrap the barrel in tennis grip tape—your palms will sing hymns.
Film Pairing: Kodak Vision3 500T—Blade Runner vibes on a Leica budget.
Epilogue: The Titan’s Whisper Leica didn’t build the Noctilux f/0.95 to be useful. They built it because they could—a brass-clad “up yours” to optical physics. In a world chasing smaller, lighter, saner gear, this lens stands like a lighthouse: flawed, glorious, utterly unforgettable. As the Chinese collectors say, “玩镜头不归路”—there’s no return from the lens rabbit hole. With the Noctilux, you won’t want to climb out.
Imagine if Monet’s Impression, Sunrise were distilled into glass. The 1980–1998 Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 7-Element (aka Seven Sisters) is photography’s answer to a perfectly aged Bordeaux—complex, warm, and steeped in nostalgia. Priced between 3,500–3,500–7,000 (2025 USD), this 255g brass-and-glass marvel doesn’t just capture light; it bottles sunlight itself.
Design: Swiss Watchmaker’s Muse
Tactile Alchemy
Focus Tab: Slides like a Rolls-Royce gearshift—smooth, weighted, addictive.
Aperture Clicks: Each click echoes a grandfather clock’s heartbeat, a relic of pre-digital craftsmanship.
Two Flavors
Black (Aluminum): Light as a Hemingway novella, stealthy on chrome M bodies.
Silver (Brass): Dense as Tolstoy’s War and Peace, aging like a Stradivarius.
Optical Poetry: Painting with Sunbeams
Aspect
7-Element
Modern ASPH
Sharpness
Hemingway’s prose—direct yet soulful
GPT-4 precision
Contrast
Morning fog over the Seine
High noon in Death Valley
Bokeh
Van Gogh’s Starry Night
IKEA lamp shade
Magic
☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
🤖
f/2 Wide Open: A soft-focus dreamscape—sharp as a tiger’s gaze at the center, gentle as rose petals at the edges. (虎嗅蔷薇—“A tiger sniffing roses”, symbolizing power tempered by grace*)
f/5.6–f/8: Reveals Ansel Adams-level microcontrast. Dust on your M11’s sensor? Call it “free film grain.”
Street Photography: The Silent Dancer
Blind Shooting Zen
Zone focus at 2 meters, f/2—capture fleeting moments like a jazz drummer catching the beat.
Black & White Sorcery
Tri-X film + 7-Element = Cartier-Bresson’s ghost high-fiving Daido Moriyama. Shadows dissolve like ink wash paintings (水墨画), highlights glow like rice paper.
Color Alchemy
Renders sunlight as buttery as a Vermeer portrait. Skin tones? Think honey drizzled on marble.
The “Bokeh King” Paradox
Modern lenses serve bokeh like fast food—predictable, uniform. The 7-Element? It’s a Michelin-starred tasting menu:
Progressive Bokeh: Backgrounds melt from crisp to creamy, creating 3D pop.
Flaws as Virtues: Slight swirls and “imperfections” add je ne sais quoi—like vinyl crackle in a Spotify world.
Film vs Digital: Two Lovers
Film Romance
On Kodak Portra, it’s 1960s Vogue meets Parisian café—grain caressed by lanthanum glass.
Digital Affair
On a Leica M11, dial down clarity +10 to mimic its film-era soul. Disable profiles—let its golden flaws sing.
7-Element: The jazz saxophonist—improvisational, emotional, unforgettable.
VIII. Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Poets with Light Meters: Who see grain as texture, not noise ✓ Nostalgia Alchemists: Turning sunlight into gold ✓ Contrarians: Who’d choose a vintage Leica over AI-generated “perfection”
Avoid If: You shoot sports, need autofocus, or think “vintage” means “obsolete.”
IX. Final Verdict: The Eternal Flame
The 7-Element isn’t a lens—it’s a time machine. For the price of a Rolex Datejust, you gain:
A masterclass in pre-CGI optical artistry
Proof that “flaws” can outshine clinical perfection
Bragging rights at any camera club (“Yes, mine glows in UV light”)
“A lens that whispers: ‘Photography is not about light—it’s about how light dances with memory.’”
Pro Tips:
Flare Hack: Shoot into the sun—its 1980s coatings paint halos like Renaissance angels.
Film Pairing: Kodak Double-X @800—Citizen Kane vibes on a budget.
Zen Footnote:“爱而知其恶，憎而知其善” (“Love something but know its flaws; hate something but know its merits”)
Epilogue: The Myth Lives On Leica keeps chasing sharper, faster, newer. But the 7-Element remains stubbornly 1980—a brass-clad rebel whispering: “True beauty isn’t engineered—it’s felt.” As Winogrand might say, “Photography is about finding out what something will look like photographed.” With the 7-Element, you’re not just shooting—you’re composing sunlight into sonnets. Now go make some imperfect magic.
Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 V4 King of Bokeh (7-element)
Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 V4 King of Bokeh (7-element)
Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 V4 King of Bokeh (7-element)
Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 V4 King of Bokeh (7-element)
Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 V4 King of Bokeh (7-element)
Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 V4 King of Bokeh (7-element)
In an age of disposable gadgets, the 1956–1968 Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Rigid and its sibling, the Dual Range (DR), stand like a Stradivarius in a world of plastic ukuleles. Priced between 800–800–1,500 (2025 USD), these brass-and-glass marvels are the Audrey Hepburn of lenses—elegant, precise, and eternally chic. Born when engineers were artists and aluminum was heresy, they remain the gold standard for mechanical perfection.
Aperture Click: Rotating the aperture ring feels like winding a Patek Philippe—each click resonates with Swiss precision. Modern lenses? They clunk like subway turnstiles.
All-Metal Alchemy: Machined brass, weighing 240g—dense as a Hemingway novel, balanced as a ballet dancer.
Dual Range’s Party Trick
Macro Magic: Attach the “goggles” (a clip-on viewfinder), and focus down to 19 inches—like turning a sports car into a moon rover. Purists scoff, but portraitists swoon.
Optical Scripture: The lanthanum Glass Revolution
Aspect
Summicron Rigid/DR
Modern APO-Summicron
Sharpness
A scalpel slicing moonlight
Laser-etched titanium
Contrast
Chiaroscuro of a Caravaggio painting
Instagram filter
Bokeh
Silk sheets rumpled by jazz
Polyester pillowcases
Build Quality
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Tesla Model S
lanthanum Glass: Leica’s 1950s breakthrough—lanthanum oxide lenses boosted refractive index without the ick of radioactivity. Think of it as swapping leaded gasoline for electric batteries, but with more soul.
Flare Note: Wide-open backlighting? On film, it’s a soft halo—angelic. On digital, it’s a Instagram “vintage” preset. Embrace it.
IV. Generational Wars: Rigid vs DR
The Purist’s Choice (Rigid)
Simplicity as a virtue. No goggles, no fuss—just a zen monk’s focus on essentials.
The Tinkerer’s Toy (DR)
Macro mode: Perfect for photographing wedding rings or a butterfly’s eyelash. Rarely used, always admired.
Shared DNA
Same optics, same soul. Choosing between them is like debating espresso vs cappuccino—both caffeinate your creativity.
The “Four Firsts” Legacy
First lanthanum Glass Lens: Ditching toxic thorium for lanthanum—Leica’s “green” revolution before green was cool.
First Computer-Designed Optics: 1950s IBM brainpower meets German engineering.
First True “Rigid” Build: No collapsing nonsense—this lens scoffs at fragility.
Most Cloned Design: Imitated by Cosina, worshipped by collectors.
Shooting Experience: Time Capsule in Your Hands
Film Love Affair
Tri-X @400 + Rigid = Cartier-Bresson’s ghost nodding approval. The lanthanum glass renders grain like stardust.
Digital Renaissance
On a Leica M11, microcontrast pops like a Wes Anderson palette. Tip: Add +10 “texture” in Lightroom to mimic its film-era bite.
The Chinese Proverb Footnote“青出于蓝而胜于蓝” (“Indigo blue is born from green, yet surpasses it”) A nod to how the Rigid, born from 1950s tech, still outclasses modern rivals.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Analog Aristocrats: Who polish their M3s with unicorn tears ✓ Minimalist Philosophers: Believing “less is more” (and proving it) ✓ History Buffs: Who geek over Cold War-era innovation
Avoid If: You need autofocus or think “vintage” means “obsolete.”
Final Verdict: The Unkillable Classic
The Rigid/DR is photography’s little black dress—always appropriate, never outdated. For the price of a Rolex Oyster, you gain:
A masterclass in pre-CGI engineering
Proof that “they don’t make ’em like they used to” isn’t nostalgia—it’s fact
Bragging rights at any camera club (“Yes, mine has the original box”)
“A lens that whispers: ‘Timeless craftsmanship never goes out of style.’”
Pro Tips:
Flare Fix: Use a hood from a 12585H—it’s like sunscreen for your lens.
DR Hack: Remove the goggles for a stealthy Rigid clone.
Collector Note: Black paint versions fetch prices akin to Picasso doodles.
Epilogue: The Eternal Rigid Leica keeps reissuing lenses like Hollywood reboots classics, but the Rigid remains stubbornly 1956. In a world chasing pixels-per-dollar, this lens is a brass-knuckled reminder: true greatness isn’t upgraded—it’s revered. As Cartier-Bresson might say, “Sharpness is a bourgeois concept.” The Rigid? It’s sharpness with a soul. Now go shoot something timeless.
In 1934, Zeiss launched the Sonnar 50mm f/1.5. Leica, never one to back down, countered with the Summarit-M 50mm f/1.5 in 1936—a lens designed by Schneider Kreuznach, polished to madness, and wrapped in a 15-blade aperture (a feat rarer than a unicorn at a rodeo). Priced between 2,00–2,00–2,000 (2025 USD) depending on condition, this brass-and-glass rebel divides photographers like a Beatles vs. Stones debate. Love it or hate it? There’s no middle ground.
leica 5cm f/1.5 summarit + leica m3 + Black and white film
Design: Vintage Porsche Meets Jazz Club
Built Like a Tank, Polished Like a Steinway
M-Mount Royalty: Early M3-era models boast Swiss-watch precision, while L39 versions feel like garage-band prototypes.
Aperture Wizardry: 15 blades create bokeh smoother than a Miles Davis trumpet solo.
Generational Quirks
First Gen (1949–1960s): “Fixed aperture scale” models—collector’s crack cocaine.
Second Gen: Rotating aperture ring, less fogging (but still prone to fungal drama).
Optics: Impressionist Painting Meets Noir Film
Aspect
Summarit 50mm f/1.5
Modern Summilux 50mm f/1.4
Sharpness
Bob Ross’ “Happy Accidents”
Navy SEAL sniper
Contrast
Earl Grey tea with a splash of milk
Espresso shot
Bokeh
Van Gogh’s Starry Night
Apple product renders
Soul
Jazz improv at 3 AM
Symphonic sheet music
The “Three Insanities”
Chaos at f/1.5
Shoot wide open, and it’s like attaching a Tiffany lamp to your camera—glowy, dreamy, and utterly unpredictable. Miss focus? Call it “art.”
Zen at f/2.8
By f/2.8, it morphs into a Leica Summicron—sharp as a samurai sword, but with a lingering whisper of madness in the corners.
Black & White Alchemy
Pair it with Tri-X film or a CCD sensor (Leica M8/M9), and you’ll channel Ansel Adams crossed with a Tang dynasty ink painter.
Chinese Proverb Footnote:“别人笑我太疯癫，我笑别人看不穿” (“They laugh at my madness; I laugh at their blindness”—a toast to unconventional beauty*)
V. Street Photography: Pool Hall Hustler
Blind Shooting: At f/1.5, zone focus like you’re sinking an 8-ball shot—half skill, half luck.
CCD Love Affair: The M8’s sensor + this lens = Kodachrome meets a Wes Anderson film.
Who Should Buy This?
✓ Jazz Musicians with Cameras: Embrace chaos as your muse ✓ Film Noir Addicts: Chase shadows, not sharpness ✓ Contrarians: Who’d rather drink absinthe than IPA
Avoid If: You shoot weddings, pixel-peep, or fear surprises.
Final Verdict: The Beautiful Misfit
The Summarit 50mm f/1.5 is photography’s answer to a vintage vinyl record—crackles included. For the price of a bespoke suit, you get:
A time machine to 1950s Mad Men aesthetics
Proof that “flaws” can outshine perfection
Permission to laugh at technical charts
Rating: 🎷🎷🎷🎷🤍 (for jazz souls) | 📊📊🤍🤍🤍 (for lab-test warriors)
“A lens that whispers: ‘Perfection is overrated—let’s dance in the rain.’”
Pro Tips:
Fight the Fog: Store with silica gel—it’s fussier than a Parisian sommelier.
Film Pairing: Ilford HP5+ @1600—grain hugs the glow.
Digital Hack: Add +20 clarity in Lightroom to mimic 1960s press photography.
Epilogue: The Legacy of Madness Leica’s Summarit 50mm f/1.5 is the NBA’s “Pistol Pete” Maravich of lenses—unpredictable, flamboyant, and utterly unforgettable. Modern Summilux lenses may rule the charts, but this granddaddy whispers: “You don’t take photos—you conduct light.” As the Chinese proverb goes, true artistry often hides in the cracks of convention. Shoot wide open, embrace the chaos, and let the world call you mad.
Imagine if Van Gogh’s Starry Night were forged into glass—glowing with eerie beauty, unapologetically imperfect. The 1956–1968 Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 Collapsible “Yellow Glass” (aka Radioactive Cron) is photography’s answer to a vintage whiskey: aged, complex, and slightly dangerous. Priced at 1,500–1,500–12,000 (2025 USD), this 200g brass-and-thorium relic defies modern logic. Born in an era when engineers played God with radioactive elements, it’s the James Dean of lenses—rebellious, iconic, and forever young.
✓ Poets with Light Meters: Who see grain as texture, not noise ✓ Vintage Alchemists: Collecting radiation like rare spices ✓ Contrarians: Who’d choose a vinyl crackle over Spotify HD
Avoid If: You shoot weddings, fear EPA audits, or think “AI bokeh” is progress.
Final Verdict: The Forbidden Fruit
The Radioactive Summicron is photography’s yin-yang—harmony in opposing forces. For the price of a Rolex Submariner, you gain:
A ticket to 1950s optical rebellion
Proof that “dangerous” often means “unforgettable”
Bragging rights at camera clubs (“Mine glows in the dark!”)
“A lens that whispers: ‘True magic lies in the flaws we dare to preserve.’”
Pro Tips:
UV Test: Shine a blacklight—watch the thorium glow like Tron’s legacy.
Clean Carefully: Use a lead-lined cloth (kidding… mostly).
Chinese Proverb Footnote:“毒草亦能开花” (“Even poison weeds can bloom”—celebrating beauty in the forbidden*)
Epilogue: The Last Alchemist In a world obsessed with clinical perfection, the Yellow Glass Summicron stands as a brass-clad rebel. It whispers: “Your camera isn’t a machine—it’s a wand.” Handle it with respect, shoot with abandon, and let its golden glow remind you: the greatest risks often yield the richest rewards. As Bresson might say, “There are no bad lenses… only boring photographers.” Now go make some beautiful trouble.
Radioactive yellow glass serial number: NR 920××× NR 921××× NR 922××× NR 993××× NR 994××× NR 995××× No. 1009××× Nr102×××× No. 104××××
In 1980, Walter Mandler—Leica’s answer to Enzo Ferrari—crafted the Summicron-M 90mm f/2 E55, a lens as timeless as a vintage Rolex Submariner and as precise as a Swiss railway clock. Priced between 800–800–1,600 (2025 USD), this 475g brass-and-glass marvel trimmed the fat from its predecessor (the “Big Head Nine”) while retaining every ounce of optical soul. Think of it as the Porsche 911 of telephotos: compact, iconic, and engineered to outlive trends.
Design: Minimalist Brilliance
Bauhaus on a Diet
Body: Anodized black aluminum—sleeker than a tailored tuxedo, lighter than a hardcover Hemingway. The retractable hood clicks into place like a bank vault door.
E55 Filter Thread: A nod to practicality in a world of niche accessories.
Generational Leap
Compared to the clunky V1 “Big Head Nine,” the E55 is a Michelangelo chiseled from marble—smaller, lighter, yet optically identical.
Optical Sorcery: Sharpness with Soul
Aspect
E55 90mm f/2
Modern 90mm f/2 APO
Sharpness
Katana blade at f/2
Laser-guided scalpel
Bokeh
Monet’s garden at dusk
Excel spreadsheet gradients
Weight
Weekend suitcase
Featherweight backpack
Soul
🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻
🎧
f/2 Wide Open: Renders skin like Renaissance oil paintings—pores softened, eyes sparkling like Venetian glass.
f/4 Sweet Spot: Microcontrast so crisp, you’ll count eyelashes in landscape shots.
The “Three Delights”
Street Portrait Zen: Zone-focus at 5m, and let subjects wander into your frame like characters in a Wes Anderson film.
M3 Synergy: Pair with Leica’s 0.91x viewfinder—a match made in Wetzlar heaven.
Focus Philosophy: Slow Photography Manifesto
The Mandler Method: Manual focus with this lens is vinyasa yoga for photographers—stretching patience, rewarding precision.
Anti-Spray-and-Pray: At 90mm, every click costs $1.50 (film + development). Treat it like a sommelier pours Bordeaux: mindfully.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Portrait Poets: Who believe eyes > autofocus motors ✓ Film Purists: Chasing Ansel Adams’ ghost through Tri-X grain ✓ Contrarians: Who’d choose a typewriter over ChatGPT
Avoid If: You shoot sports, fear tripods, or think “vintage” means “eBay flip.”
Final Verdict: The Timeless Workhorse
The E55 isn’t just a lens—it’s a lifestyle. For the price of a weekend in Provence, you gain:
A Mandler-era optical relic that outclasses modern APO glass in character
Proof that “lightweight” and “legendary” aren’t mutually exclusive
“A lens that whispers: ‘Slow down, the best moments are worth waiting for.’”
Pro Tips:
Film Pairing: Kodak Tri-X @400—grain dances with its buttery bokeh.
Digital Hack: Add +15 “texture” in Lightroom to mimic its film-era bite.
Zen Mantra: “90mm isn’t a focal length—it’s a meditation.”
Epilogue: The Lens of Intentionality Leica’s E55 90mm f/2 scoffs at shortcuts, whispering: “Greatness isn’t found in speed, but in stillness.” Like a Tang dynasty ink painting, its beauty lies in bold strokes, not frantic scribbles. In an age of computational hype, this lens is your passport back to photography’s beating heart. Now go frame your masterpiece. 🖤
In a world obsessed with speed and immediacy, the 1975–1998 Leica 135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M stands like a Zen monk in a stock exchange—patient, deliberate, and unshaken by trends. Priced between 300–300–600 (2025 USD), this 775g brass-and-glass oracle proves that true artistry thrives in stillness. Think of it as the Volvo station wagon of lenses: unglamorous, reliable, and built for the long haul.
Design: Precision as Poetry
Bauhaus Brutalism
Body: Machined brass—dense as a Tolstoy novel, balanced as a Swiss watch. The built-in telescoping hood deploys with a snick worthy of a Rolls-Royce door.
Goggles: Attach the 1.4x magnifier (Leica’s “philosopher’s spectacles”), and the 90mm framelines bloom into 135mm clarity—a magic trick Houdini would envy.
Generational Nuance
Early S7 Models: Chunky as a vintage typewriter.
Later E55 Versions: Slimmed down like a tailored suit—same soul, lighter footprint.
Optical Alchemy: Sharpness with Soul
Aspect
135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M
Modern 90mm f/2 APO
Sharpness
Samurai sword at f/2.8
Laser-guided missile
Bokeh
Monet’s garden at dusk
IKEA lamp shade
Weight
Kettlebell workout
Featherweight jogger
Soul
🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️
🤖
f/2.8 Wide Open: Tack-sharp at the center, with backgrounds dissolving into watercolor washes—ideal for isolating subjects like a haiku in a noisy world.
Stopped Down: At f/8, microcontrast rivals Ansel Adams’ zone system—every leaf, brick, and wrinkle sings.
The “Three Paradoxes”
Slow Photography Zen: The long focus throw forces mindfulness—like sipping tea while others chug espresso.
Stealth Giant: Despite its heft, it’s invisible on the street—no one suspects a 135mm lens on a Leica.
Chinese Proverb Footnote:“千里之行，始于足下” (“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”) A nod to how this lens teaches patience in an age of instant gratification.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Portrait Philosophers: Who chase soul, not just sharpness ✓ Landscape Meditators: Framing distant peaks like Zen gardens ✓ Contrarians: Who’d choose a typewriter over ChatGPT
Avoid If: You shoot sports, fear tripods, or think “vintage” means “obsolete.”
Final Verdict: The Seeker’s Tool
The 135mm Elmarit-M isn’t just a lens—it’s a mirror. For the price of a weekend in Tuscany, you gain:
A masterclass in Walter Mandler’s optical pragmatism
Proof that “slow” and “deliberate” aren’t synonyms for “outdated”
Permission to ask, “Who am I?” through your viewfinder
Rating: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🤍 (film poets) | 📱📱🤍🤍🤍 (zoombies)
“A lens that whispers: ‘To see far is to see deeply.’”
Pro Tips:
Tripod Love: Use the built-in mount—this lens rewards stillness like a cathedral rewards silence.
Film Pairing: Kodak Portra 160—its pastel palette harmonizes with the lens’ contemplative soul.
Focus Mantra: Breathe in, rotate slowly, breathe out—repeat until the world snaps into clarity.
Epilogue: The Mirror of Distance In a world racing toward wider, faster, more, the 135mm Elmarit-M stands as a brass-clad rebuttal: “True vision isn’t about capturing everything—it’s about finding what matters.” As the Chinese masters knew, the longest journeys begin with a single, deliberate step. Now go frame yours. 🌄
Brand Name: LEICA
Filter Size: SERIES VII RETAINING RING
Focus Type: MANUAL FOCUS (ONLY)
Lens Mount: LEICA M
Lens Type: TELEPHOTO / LONG
Max Focal Length: 135MM
Min Focal Length: 135MM
In 1958, Leica and Schneider teamed up like Jobs and Wozniak to birth the Super-Angulon 21mm f/4—a lens as rare as a unicorn at a rodeo and as misunderstood as Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Priced between 1,000–1,000–2,000 (2025 USD) for mint copies, this 260g brass-and-glass relic is the DeLorean DMC-12 of optics: quirky, divisive, and utterly irreplaceable. Born from Schneider’s large-format wizardry, it’s the ultimate ‘what-if’ for collectors and poets alike.
Design: Industrial Ballet
Miniature Titan
Body: Machined brass wrapped in chrome—dense as a Dostoevsky novel, compact as a Zippo lighter. Collapses into Barnack bodies like a pocket watch.
E39 Filters: A nod to Leica’s mischievous specs—like asking Picasso to paint with a toothbrush.
Schneider’s Secret Sauce
Nine elements arranged like a symphonic score—complex, precise, and stubbornly analog.
Optical Alchemy: Flaws as Features
Aspect
Super-Angulon 21mm f/4
Modern 21mm f/3.4 ASPH
Sharpness
Hemingway’s prose—direct yet soulful
AI-generated perfection
Vignetting
Film noir mood lighting
Clinic-grade uniformity
Bokeh
Monet’s water lilies
Polyester bedsheets
Soul
🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨
🖨️
f/4 Wide Open: Center sharpness slices like a katana; edges dissolve into Rothko abstractions.
Color Rendering: Blues deeper than the Mariana Trench, greens richer than a Bavarian forest—Kodachrome’s long-lost twin.
The “Three Charms”
Vignetting Virtuoso: Embrace the dark corners—they’re not flaws, but cinematic vignettes straight from Casablanca.
Film Noir Glow: Single-coated flare paints halos like Kubrick’s lens filters—free drama for moody street shots.
Film vs Digital: Choose Your Adventure
Film Romance
On Kodak Tri-X, it’s Cartier-Bresson’s ghost nodding approval—grain dances with microcontrast.
Digital Quirks
On a Leica M11, red shift flares like a psychedelic sunset. Fixable? Sure. Worth fixing? Blasphemy.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Analog Alchemists: Who polish their M3s with unicorn tears ✓ Contrarians: Preferring vinyl crackle over Spotify HD ✓ Collector Rebels: Who’d trade a Rolex for a conversation piece
Avoid If: You pixel-peep, hate vignettes, or think “autofocus” isn’t cheating.
Final Verdict: The Beautiful Misfit
The Super-Angulon 21mm f/4 is photography’s cult classic—a brass-knuckled rebel whispering: “Perfection is boring.” For the price of a bespoke suit, you gain:
A time machine to photography’s golden age of experimentation
Proof that “flaws” can outshine clinical precision
Bragging rights at camera clubs (“Mine glows under UV light”)
“A lens that whispers: ‘Imperfection is just artistry in disguise.’”
Pro Tips:
Flare Embrace: Remove the hood—let its blue halos channel Blade Runner vibes.
Film Pairing: Ilford FP4+ @125—Citizen Kane gravitas on a budget.
Focus Zen: Zone-focus at 3m—let serendipity handle the rest.
Epilogue: The Alchemist’s Legacy Leica’s modern ASPH lenses may dominate charts, but the Super-Angulon 21mm f/4 remains stubbornly 1958—a brass-clad rebel teaching us: “True artistry thrives in the cracks of convention.” Now go shoot something imperfectly perfect.
Brand: Leica
Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
Focal Length Type: Fixed/Prime
Focal Length: 21mm
Type: High Quality, Prime, Ultra Wide Angle
Model: Angulon
Series: Leica Super-Angulon-M
Camera Type: Rangefinder
Focus Type: Manual
Maximum Aperture: f/4.0
Mount: Leica M
leica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulonleica 21mm f/4 super angulon
