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Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake vs Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH

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Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake
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Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH
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Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar vs Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar for the M Mount and the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH for the M Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Voigtlander and Leica.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Key Specs

  • 25mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 39mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 156g.
  • Diameter: 55mm
  • Length: 30mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.5m

Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F3.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 46mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 279g.
  • Diameter: 53mm
  • Length: 43mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.03x

What type of photography are the Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar and Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 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 25mm F4 Color Skopar and the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH is the longer of the two lenses at 43mm. The Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar with a length of 30mm, is 13mm shorter. On the other hand, the Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar has a larger diameter of 55mm compared to the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH's 53mm diameter.

The 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 25mm F4 Color Skopar weighs 156g, which means it is 123g (44%) lighter than the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH which has a weight of 279g.


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
Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH
45mm
58mm 290g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH
46mm
58mm 300g 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
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
Leica APO-Summicron-M 35mm F2 ASPH Lens Leica APO-Summicron-M 35mm F2 ASPH
41mm
53mm 320g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar and the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 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 25mm F4 Color Skopar is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 25mm. Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm.

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake over Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH

Focal Length - Tele 25mm vs 21mm 4mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 10 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight 156g vs 279g 123g lighter
Length 30mm vs 43mm 13mm shorter
Filter Thread 39mm vs 46mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.5m vs 0.7m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH over Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake

Focal Length - Wide 21mm vs 25mm 4mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 3.4 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 3.4 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Diameter 53mm vs 55mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Max Magnification 0.03x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake and Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake and Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 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 25mm F4 Color Skopar vs Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Voigtlander Leica
Lens Type Prime Prime
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Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 25mm 21mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour - Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.0 F3.4
Min Aperture F22.0 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 10 -
Optics
Optical Elements 7 8
Optical Groups 5 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.5m 0.7m
Max Magnification - 0.03X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 156g 279g
Diameter 55mm 53mm
Length 30mm 43mm
Materials - Metal body, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 39mm 46mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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