Hello all, I want to buy a Contax 21mm Biogon instead of 21mm Leica, so I can free up some $$ to buy a 24mm Leica. Does anyone know how does the Biogon 21mm lens perform? Many thanks!!

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), January 29, 2002

Answers

Dear Michell,

Do you mean to use the 21 Biogon on a Leica? That requires major surgery to the lens and major $$$. And the Biogon is not exactly cheap to begin with. Do this if you want to save bucks: Get the Voigtlander 21/4. It is a fraction of the Leica's (and the Biogon's) cost, comes with an excellent viewfinder, is delightfully light, and, on top of all that, is a very very very fine shooter.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), January 29, 2002.

I don't think that you can fault the lens quality of the 21 Biogon for the Contax G. The main question is the system: do you want to use an auto focus camera? Perhaps with a wide angle of 21mm focal length, the question is not so important. I chose to purchase the Leica 21 because I do not want to carry multiple systems with me. I want lens interchangability, and prefer manual focus. The Leica ASPH lens is wonderful, taking a backseat to no lens in its focal length.

-- David (pagedt@chartertn.net), January 29, 2002.

Hi Mitchell,

Hi Mitchell,

I owned and used the 21 Biogon and found it to be a fine lens. Unfortunately the Contax G system left to much to be desired and I sold the lot. If you plan to use it on your Leica I would suggest you consider a Leica lens. The enclosed photo was made with the biogon.

Good luck, Tom

-- Tom Gallagher (tgallagher10@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

Mitchell: There are some folks converting Contax-G 15, 21 and 28mm lenses to Leica mount. They are, as mentioned, very expensive ($2000- $2500 minimum) for a lens that is not substantially better than the Leica. It's cheaper just to pick up a G body than use the converted lenses - but I suppsoe if

The Biogon 21 is an exceptional lens - the equal of the Leica 21/24 ASPHs in sharpness, with higher macro contrast and a slightly pinker color rendition. Also much lighter.

I miss it right up to the point where I push the shutter button and the camera fires every time, instead of whirring, focusing, metering, whining - and finally - firing (most of the time).

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), January 30, 2002.

"Also much lighter."

partly due to there being no focussing ring (or depth of field scales for that matter). The 21mm Biogon is over $1000. I would get the 21mm ASPH instead if you already have an M.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

You can purchase the Contax 21 Biogon right now from Delta International for $612.00.

-- Jim Tardio (jimtardio@earthlink.net), January 30, 2002.