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Comparison: Leica 21/1.4 vs Leica 21/3.4 (Interior)
How does the super-speed Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH compare to the superlative Leica 21/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH?
It is always risky to conclude too much from one test, but the conclusions offered here are consistent with multiple other comparisons I made with the same two lenses.
Prelude
The Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH is a super speed ultra wide angle lens. As of early 2012, there existed no other f/1.4 full-frame 21mm lens, which makes it a unique offering.
Aberrations in an f/1.4 lens are far more difficult to control versus an f/3.4 lens (certain aberrations grow as the cube of the aperture, e.g., 8 times more going from f/2 to f/1.4). Therefore, no reasonable assumption could be made that an f/1.4 lens could equal an f/3.4 lens without sacrificing in some areas. Yet with exotic materials and high precision design and assembly, the 21/1.4 is clearly a stunning lens on its own. But what does it compromise to the 21/3.4?
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Diglloyd Guide to Leica is by yearly subscription. Subscribe now for about 25 cents a day ($90/year).
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Diglloyd Guide to LEICA contains in-depth coverage of Leica M system cameras and lenses, with additional coverage of Leica M Monochrom, Leica Q.
Special emphasis is placed on Leica M lenses and certain Zeiss ZM lenses.
- Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away.
- Save money by choosing the right lens for your needs the first time, particularly the Summilux/Summicron/Elmarit choice and/or Zeiss ZM.
- Make better images, a sort of “cheat sheet” saving yourself months or years of ad-hoc learning. Processing parameters are discussed and shown.
- Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops [past 2 years or so].
- Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
- Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
- Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.
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