Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Gerd, The very first series of 21/2,8 had a flat front element and a 48 or 49 mm filterring. It is higly unlikely that you would find one, there were only a handful made and most of them were recalled. If, by any chance you do find one, you can probably trade it for several new 21/2,8 Asph. After # 3000 000 you have the regular 21/2,8, the predecessor to the Aspherical. This lens is a good deal right now, a lot of dealers are selling them with heavy discounts because the buyers are ordering the Asph. version. If you have read Erwins stuff on the lenses, you will know that the Aspherical 21 is a better lens, but, having said that, you can buy a lot of film for the difference between a used,mintish 21/2,8 and a brand new 21/2,8 Asph. There is a difference, mainly when you shoot wide open, the 21/2,8 has slightly softer corner and less "edge" with the contrast. The Aspherical is a rather stunning lens, but you really have to be into large projections of slides or regularly print 16x20 prints with fine grain film to appreciate it. My feeling is that you are better off buying a 21/2,8 now and enjoy it, than to have to waitand save for a long time to get a 21/2,8 Asph. Tom A