The Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8, an ultra-wide-angle lens. This example is the rare 0.4m close-focus version. Serial number in the 2,990,000 range, from the first production lot made in 1979.

It is said that the very earliest Elmarit 21mm lenses had an E49 filter thread, but these are almost never seen. The first-lot examples that normally appear on the market are E60, like this one. The focusing tab is the so-called Tiger Claw type, also seen on the Summicron 35mm 7-element and the Summicron 50mm 3rd version.

The Leitz product code is 11134. Made by Leitz Canada. The matching hood is 12537.

Introduced in 1980 as the successor to the previous Super-Angulon 21mm f3.4, appearing in the catalogue from that year. Incidentally, the Leica body being sold at the time was the M4-P.

The optical construction is 8 elements in 6 groups, with a retrofocus design. With no protruding rear element, it can also be used on the Leica M5 and CL. Despite being an ultra-wide-angle lens, it offers a bright f2.8 maximum aperture. The minimum focusing distance is 0.4m, though distances closer than 0.7m are not rangefinder-coupled.

It delivers stable performance from wide open. The background blur in close-up shooting is gentle and very natural. The rendering with some vignetting toward the edges offers an enjoyable option for creative image-making. Stopping down to f5.6 gives clear results right into the corners. A lens that is fully enjoyable throughout the f2.8 to f5.6 range.

A rare piece.