Worlds Quickest Review: Leica Leitz Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8

This is going to be a short review, as I didn’t spend too much time with this lens. I bought it, quickly realized it wasn’t for me, and ended up selling it.

But… here’s the longer story.

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Why I Bought It

My favorite focal length is 40mm, and most of my work is made using it. Back when I used Fujifilm, I also had a 28mm full-frame equivalent lens. I didn’t use it very often, but whenever I went to the mountains or needed something wider than 40mm, I reached for it.

So naturally, I thought it might be nice to have something similar for my Leica setup. I wasn’t in a hurry and figured I’d wait until the right lens found me.

That’s exactly what happened. Browsing on eBay, I came across not a 28mm, but a 21mm Elmarit-M. I wasn’t sure it was what I wanted, but I placed a bid anyway and somehow won the auction — for two to three times under the market price. So here I was, not with a 28mm, but with a 21mm.

First Shoot

I thought to myself: how different could 21mm really be from 28mm?

Oh boy, I was wrong.

I mounted the lens to my Leica M11 and went down to the small port in my village. Even though I have a Leica Visoflex 2 and the M11 has live view on the rear screen, I didn’t need either of them. With 21mm, everything you see in front of you is in the frame — and pretty much in focus.

It almost turned my Leica M11 into a point-and-shoot camera.

What I Learned

That experience made me realize this lens wasn’t for me. I really appreciate framing in photography, and with the Elmarit 21mm it felt too difficult. The field of view was simply too wide for my style, and I wasn’t ready to master it.

So if you’re in a similar position — thinking a 21mm could be close enough to 28mm — let me tell you: it’s not.

That said, the lens itself is excellent in Leica tradition. It feels great in the hand, the focus throw is smooth, and the colors are saturated and pleasing. In the right hands, I have no doubt it’s a fantastic tool. It just wasn’t mine.

Conclusion

The Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f/2.8 is a solid lens, but it’s a specialist tool. If you love composing with wide angles and want everything in the scene, it’s worth seeking out. But if you’re like me, and your comfort zone is closer to 40mm, jumping straight to 21mm can feel overwhelming.

For me, the lesson was simple: sometimes the focal length matters more than the price of the bargain.

Want to See More?

📸 Follow me on Instagram for more sample shots from this lens and others:
👉 www.instagram.com/paomees

🛒 Thinking about picking one up? Check current used prices at MPB:
👉 www.mpb.com

Thanks for reading—and let me know if you’ve had a different experience with this lens. I’d love to hear how it’s working for you!

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