Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. § 03 Head to head
Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. vs Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0
Leica 24mm f/3.8 is 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture. Voigtlander 21mm f/4 has a wider field of view.
Both lenses are made for the Leica M mount: the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. is a 24mm f/3.8 prime, and the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 is a 21mm f/4 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. 
Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 01
Key differences
Why is the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. better than the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0?
- 0.1 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/3.8 vs f/4)
- Longer reach (24mm vs 21mm)
- Newer design (2008 vs 2007)
Why is the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 better than the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH.?
- Wider field of view (21mm vs 24mm)
- 124 g lighter (136 g vs 260 g)
- 15 mm shorter (25.4 mm vs 40.6 mm long)
- Focuses 20 cm closer (0.5 m vs 0.7 m)
- Smaller filter thread (39 mm vs 46 mm)
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 has the edge: it goes wider, to 21mm against 24mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 has the edge: it goes wider, to 21mm against 24mm.
- street For street photography, the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 has the edge: it is 124 g lighter to carry.
- travel For travel, the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 has the edge: it is 124 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. | Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 24mm | 21mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.8 ◆ | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 260 g (9.17 oz) | 136 g (4.80 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 53 x 40.6 mm | 55 x 25.4 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.7 m (27.56 inches) | 0.5 m (19.69 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | — |
| Aperture blades | — | 10 |
| Optical construction | 8 elements / 6 groups | 8 elements in 6 groups |
| Filter size | 46 mm | 39 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Leica M | Leica M |
| Released | 2008 | 2007 |
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Size
- A · Leica
- B · Voigtlander
- 40.6 × 53 mm
- 25.4 × 55 mm
The Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. is 15 mm longer and 124 g heavier than the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0.
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Sample frames
Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH.
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. or the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0?
- The Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. opens to f/3.8, against f/4 on the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0, 0.1 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. or the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0?
- The Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 weighs 136 g, 124 g less than the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. (260 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. or the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0?
- The Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 focuses down to 0.5 m, against 0.7 m for the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH..
- Is the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. or the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 has the edge: it goes wider, to 21mm against 24mm.
- Is the Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH. or the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Voigtlander Color Skopar II 21mm f/4.0 has the edge: it goes wider, to 21mm against 24mm.