This lens is cuss word awesome.
No “at this price” or other caveats here. Purists may complain that it is a blatant rip off a Leica lens but at 1/10th the price I purely do not care. The lens is just awesome.
- Aesthetically perfect.
- The stellar build belies its lack of provenance.
- Fantastic image quality.
- Affordable. Especially used as I purchased mine.
I recently stated that I would not be discussing newer gear as much going forward, but this lens is odd in that it feels old while being brand new. It has a lot to do with the build quality and aesthetics I imagine. I also mention it often because it is a rare good deal. I have had it a while and I have yet to locate a single downside. In fact it is so good that it is largely why a recent ZEISS acquisition did not turn into a full on ZEISS bender. I did look at the ZEISS ZM 25mm and 28mm lenses, but there is nothing more I could ask of a mid 20mm-ish lens. I could go on but I will stop myself here.
Sidebar: Similarly the TTArtisans 21mm f/1.5 has grown on me so I am not tempted by the two ZEISS 21mm lenses.
Why a rangefinder in this year of our Lord 2024?
I have no rational answer to offer you. I will not set your eyes rolling mumbling about feel and “the moment” and simply say this.
I like rangefinders. The use case this day made as much of a practical case for a rangefinder as one could. Rangefinders lenses can be small. At least the ones with practical focal lengths and apertures. This day I brought one camera and two lenses. The lenses were so small that I put the lens that was not in use in my front pants pockets without issue.
No bag needed. On to the photos.
Went out galavanting with my son. Here are some of my favorite images from the day.
Another successful vintage digital fit.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 