Alternative for Leica R 19mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R I

[Oliver Bartossek]

Recently I received a Leica 19mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R Version I. After some tests I decided that I'm not really happy with the lens. As the Version 2 of the 19mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R is quite expensive, I'm searching for another alternative. I'm planning to get a full set of Leica R's, so im searching for a wideangle lens cheaper than the Version 2 19mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R that matches as good as possible with my other Leicas.

Anybody has any suggestions? Really appreciate some input.

Thanks and cheers,

Oliver

 

[Lee Saxon]

I think the newer Zeiss lenses (ZF.2 and Milvus era) dispense with the "organic" (I call it "grungy") look of the Contax/Yashica era Zeiss, and go pretty well with the "prettier" / punchier color and saturation of the Leica R. The new Milvus 18/2.8, which is getting great reviews, is very likely worth a look.

 

[Tristan Pemberton]

Might be worth checking out the Canon FDn 20mm f/2.8. Not sure how it will match the Leica, but it is vintage, sharp and low contrast. Very affordable, and mounts can be replaced with EF.

 

[Ilya O.]

Check out ultracrisp Pentax-A 20mm F2.8

also browse this vintage 20mm review http://www.vintagelensesforvideo.com/vintage-20mm-shootout/

 

[Dan Kanes]

Some may disagree with me on this, but I find the SIgma 18-35 to be really suitable in conjunction with the R's.

Also the 20mm f1.4 sigma

You can always "soften these up" or just shoot them wide open for a little bit of gentleness.

I'm yet to try the 14mm T2.0 Sigma, but I'm going to dive in with one soon (PL)

 

[Marcel Zyskind]

Olympus Zuiko 21mm f2 or as mentioned already Canon FD 20mm f2.8.

 

[Andy Kolb]

I really like the Minolta Rokkor MC 21mm 2.8

 

[RJ_Ortiz]

Saw this thread where the guy was going to get an Olympus OM 18/3.5 to fill in for the wide end. May be worth a look.

 

[Oliver Bartossek]

Thanks for the input guys! This really helps me a lot.
I find the Olympus Zuiko 21mm f2 quite interesting. Unfortunately I couldn't find any good reviews or sample pics, that show how the lens performs wide open.
Also I find it hard to tell how good the Olympus will match with the Leicas.
Anyone has seen any good reviews about the Olympus? Or maybe someone has both the olympus and a Leica to compare how well they match?

 

[D. O'Bryan]

Saw this thread where the guy was going to get an Olympus OM 18/3.5 to fill in for the wide end. May be worth a look.

I did get it, and I love it! Yeah it's a little slow compared to the rest of the R set, but actually matches the look quite well and with full distortion correction is simply awesome for wide shots with a lot of vertical lines.

We shot this a few months ago on the Helium with the R set. DP couldn't believe the Olympus and it ended up playing a lot in the second half of the film - check out the straight lines when he first stumbles into the forest (camera pans down to reveal, pushes forward).