SUPER ANGULON R 21mm(F4)
Leave the 21mm to other companies (2)
A review and Photo example of the SUPER ANGULON R 21mm F4.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Photo example used with Leica SL Typ601
Review
1．Overview
The Leica R-mount wide-angle lens, Super-Angulon R 21mm F4, was produced in approximately 11,000 units between 1971 and 1983.
There are two types of Super-Angulon R mount: an older model with a maximum aperture of F3.4 and almost the same lens configuration as the M-type, and a newer model with a maximum aperture of F4 and a retrofocus type.
It is a retrofocus model with 10 elements in 8 groups and 4 aperture blades. Because they have been manufactured for a long time, the appearance varies slightly depending on the year, but the lens configuration is the same for all of them, and they were designed by Schneider of Germany.
2．Usage
The Super-Angulon F4 version has a minimum shooting distance of 20cm, so it can get close to the subject depending on its focal length, and has four aperture blades, giving it the unique Schneider lens character.
Due to the age of the design, there is barrel distortion, which can be noticeable when shooting straight objects. When I compared it to the 21mm of my Vario-Elmar 21-35mm zoom lens, the Super-Angulon 21mm F4 has a better minimum shooting distance, but the Vario-Elmar is superior in terms of overall depiction, including peripheral resolution.
I got rid of the Super-Angulon. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any photos of the lens when I owned it, so I don’t have any photos of its exterior.
This lens is sometimes listed on eBay as a ROM-modified version, but I have no use for it, so I put up with it.
3．Add info.
I have introduced the old Super-Angulon separately, but because the rear lens element is close to the sensor, it is necessary to use the mirror up when using it with a SLR camera, so it was not a very practical lens.
Also, when used with a mirrorless digital camera, the rear lens element gets quite close to the sensor, so with certain models that use 35mm full-frame sensors, there is a high possibility of color casts occurring on the edges of the image, making it difficult to use.
Specification
| Item | F3.4 Ver. | F4 ver | VARIO ELMAR |
| focal length(mm) | 21 | 21 | 21-35 |
| Maximum aperture | 3.4 | 4 | 3.5-4 |
| Minimum aperture | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Lens configuration | 8elements in 4groups | 10elements in 8groups | 9elements in 8groups |
| Leaf blade | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
| Lens length(mm) | 19 | 43.5 | 66.3 |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 70 | 78 | 75 |
| Filter diameter(mm) | Series 8 | E72 or Series 8.5 | 67 |
| Weight(g) | 228 | 420 | 500 |
| Lens Hood | 14170W | 12506 14145(Forent Cap) | 12438 |
| Production numbers | 1,530- | 10,850- | 3,400 |
| Release date | 1964-1968 | 1971-1983 | 2001- |
Reference links
- All about the R-type Leica (2003 edition) / Author: Shinichi Nakamura / Edited by Asahi Sonorama Ads by Amazon
- Description of Super-Angulon-R 21/4 from Leica wiki
Update history
- 2025.1.11
- 2024.02.24
- 2022.10.04
Affiliate links
- Amazon Affiliate link / Leica lens
- Amazon Affiliate link / Leica digital
- Amazon Affiliate link / Leica camera body
- Amazon Affiliate link / Leica accessory
- Amazon Affiliate link / Leica book
