Leica's compact ultra-wide for M — the Super-Elmar 21mm f/3.4 ASPH with premium correction.
The Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH. is a compact ultra-wide prime for the Leica M system. The Super-Elmar designation indicates a dedicated ultra-wide optical design with aspherical correction. At 21mm f/3.4, it provides dramatic 92-degree coverage in a remarkably compact package — more compact than the Summilux alternative.
Optical performance is very good. Sharpness is excellent from f/3.4 with the aspherical element providing outstanding correction for the ultra-wide angle. Distortion is well-controlled. Colour rendition is precise Leica quality. The f/3.4 is modest but adequate for landscape and architecture where the lens is typically stopped down.
Leica M mount with 6-bit coding. Filter thread is 46mm — compact. Weight is approximately 272 grams — lightweight for a 21mm. Build quality is outstanding Leica engineering. Manual focus. The 21mm extends beyond normal rangefinder framelines — requires an external finder or live view on digital bodies.
Available on the used market at Leica pricing. Check rangefinder coupling and 6-bit coding. A compact, high-quality 21mm for M-mount — the aspherical correction provides excellent performance. The Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 is a more affordable alternative. The Leica Summilux 21mm is faster but larger and more expensive.