The Leica Super-Angulon 21mm design was brought to Leitz from Schneider. It focuses very close (0.4m) which is amazing for a Leica M lens, and the square-shaped bokeh blurs as well. It is a sharp lens, with its beautiful rectilinear perfection. Using a Super-Angulon will instantly turn any photographer into Jeanloup Sieff.
Not for Landscapes
Usualy, the further a lens’ focal length departs from the 50mm, the less useful and more challenging it becomes. The Super-Angulon is not a real substitute for perspective pontrol lens for architecture and landscapes. It is really effective at getting really close and level to a subject. Not only can you isolate a close subject, much more background context can be captured than a ‘normal’ lens.
Digital Leica
Super Angolan is usable on digital Leica M cameras.
The issue is the color shift on the edges and corners, the lens is fine for b&w. The tones on b&w film can be beautiful. It flares fairly easily. The other issue is overexposes. It works fine in live view(leica m240/leica m10/leica m11), it overexposes in non-live view(leica m8/leica m9).
It’s a lens produced in the 1960s that really needs film to show its best. Lens do not have to be perfect to be wonderful.
F4.0 vs F3.4
The f3.4 Super Angulon is optically better than the f4.0 version.
Voigtlander 21mm
The Voigtlander 21mm lens would be a much more reasonably priced approach. But, Voigtlander users will be tempted by the Super-Angulon in the future again and again. Because of its classic design, the Super-Angulon seems to have more of a nostalgic attraction. There are many who love it.
Good lens, good camera, and a roll of film: this is my ideal life.
Filter: 48mm UV, VII. Hood: 12501 Front cover: 14102 Rear cover: 14042 Stock: less than 6000. Focus lever: metal crescent focus lever. Minimum focusing distance: 0.4m
