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Model history (2)

Specification

Source of data

• Manufacturer's technical data.

From the British Journal of Photography (1994)

Asanuma showed a 21mm f/2.8 Avenon in Leica screw fitting, with rangefinder coupling, a 21mm viewfinder, and a screw-to-M adapter.

From the editor

An ultra-wide angle lens produced by a small Japanese company called Y.K. Optical. It was sold from 1994 to February 2002 in chrome finish under the following names:

• "AVENON SUPER WIDE L 21:2.8" - for the Japanese market,
• "Kobalux Super Wide 21mm F2.8" - for the North American market,
• "PASOPTIK SUPER WIDE L 21:2.8" - for the UK market.

The lens was supplied with two caps, a small 58mm round metal lens hood (chrome), an external 21mm brightline metal viewfinder (chrome), and a 35/135mm M-mount adapter.

Initially, this lens was planned to be released in a limited edition, but in fact, production became serial. Y.K. Optical was the first manufacturer to make Leica screw mount lenses in 1994 (the first since Canon ceased production in 1972). True to Barnack's ideals, the Kobalux/Avenon lenses were compact in size, lightweight and optically excellent. These kicked off the "rangefinder renaissance," and predated Leica screw mount lenses that would be made by Leica, Cosina, Ricoh, and Konica by some time.

The second generation, released in 1996, met with critical acclaim, garnering favorable reviews in the British Journal of Photography (November 6, 1996) ("at least the equal of the 21/4.5 Biogon which is sometimes found converted for the Leica, and is considerably better than either of the [Leica] Super Angulons (f/4 and f/3.4)") and in Shutterbug (July 1999) ("produced very sharp images at all apertures... excellent performance for lenses in this focal length range... very well made... you can use these lenses wide-open with confidence").

According to the manufacturer, "when mounted on a camera, the lens protrudes deeply into the camera body. Because of this, it cannot be mounted on some cameras, notably on Canon series V cameras, Canon series VI cameras, and Canon series 7. On these late Canon bodies the lens would hit the camera's internal light shield."

The lens is fully compatible with all other cameras, both with the Leica screw mount and Leica M bayonet mount (via the adapter).

Avenon Super Wide 21mm F/2.8 LSM special editions (1)

• Avenon Super Wide 21mm F/2.8 LSM Millennium Edition [LSM] - 2000

Lenses with similar focal length