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Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar vs Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH

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Voigtlander 12mm F5.6

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar
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BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 vs Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 and Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Voigtlander and Leica.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Key Specs

  • 12mm Focal Range
  • F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 230g.
  • Diameter: 75mm
  • Length: 43mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.5m

Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 300g.
  • Diameter: 58mm
  • Length: 46mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.7m
  • Max Magnification:0.034x

What type of photography are the Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 and Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 and the Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelFairAverage
StreetAverageExcellent
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundFairAverage
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH is the longer of the two lenses at 46mm. The Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 with a length of 43mm is 3mm shorter. On the other hand, the Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 has a larger diameter of 75mm compared to Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH's 58mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 weighs 230g, which means it is 70g (23%) lighter than the Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH which has a weight of 300g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake Lens Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar
30mm
55mm 156g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH
45mm
58mm 290g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 Color Skopar Lens Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 Color Skopar
23mm
55mm 134g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5 Lens Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5
34mm
51mm 220g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH Lens Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH
43mm
53mm 279g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II Lens Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II
25mm
55mm 136g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmar-M 24mm f3.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmar-M 24mm f3.8 ASPH
53mm
41mm 260g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton Lens Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton
29mm
55mm 200g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 and Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH has the same Leica M lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica M lenses are Leica M11, Leica M10 and Leica M Typ 262.

Focal Range

Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 12mm. Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm.

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar over Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH

Focal Length - Wide 12mm vs 21mm 9mm Wider coverage
Weight 230g vs 300g 70g lighter
Length 43mm vs 46mm 3mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.5m vs 0.7m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH over Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar

Focal Length - Tele 21mm vs 12mm 9mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Diameter 58mm vs 75mm 17mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification 0.034x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar and Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar and Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Voigtlander 12mm F5.6 vs Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Voigtlander Leica
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 12mm 21mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour black black anodized or silver chrome finish
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F5.6 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 10 9
Optical Groups 8 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.5m 0.7m
Max Magnification unknown 0.034X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method Unknown Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 230g 300g
Diameter 75mm 58mm
Length 43mm 46mm
Materials metal barrel, metal mount metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No Unknown
Filter Thread 67mm 55mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown 12 592
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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