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Model history (2)

Specification

Sources of data

• Lenses for the LEICA R system booklet (PUB. 111-133).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (PUB. 100-021) (May 1987).
• Electronic-Leica R3 booklet (PUB. 121.111-104) (November 1977).
• Leica R4-MOT booklet (PUB. 121.111-136) (August 1980).
• General Catalogue (July 1977).
• Leitz General Catalogue of Photographic Equipment (January 1975).
• Leica Catalogue (January 1979).
• Leitz General Catalogue of Photographic Equipment (September 1978).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (July 1982).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (December 1989).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (April 1981).

Manufacturer description #1

From the LEICA photography magazine (1968, No. 2):

A new addition to the Leicaflex system is the 21mm Super-Angulon-R f/4 lens, whose retrofocus (reverse telephoto) design permits viewing and focusing on the camera's groundglass.

The new 10-element lens has a back focus which permits the camera's mirror to operate normally, thus allowing more creative use of the extreme wide-angle (90°) lens through direct focusing and composition. Also, thanks to the retrofocus design, more even illumination of the image plane is possible than is the case with more conventional lens formulas.

The 21mm Super-Angulon-R has apertures from f/4 to f/22, and focuses from infinity to eight inches. Its mount has a combined feet/meters scale and a depth of field scale. A special clip-on rectangular lens hood which holds the 75mm (Series VIII 1/2) filters in place is provided for the new lens.

Dimensions of the new wide-angle lens are: front diameter, 3 inches; length, 2 1/8 inches. It weighs 13 ozs. The new lens couples to the exposure control system of the Leicaflex to permit through-the-lens readings with the Leicaflex SL. Price of the 21mm Super-Angulon-R f/4 (Catalog No. 11,813) is $348.00.

Manufacturer description #2

This retro-focus lens for the LEICAFLEX has 10 elements and 8 members. Due to the long intercept distance, the image can be observed through the reflex finder. At hill aperture, the image has good contrast and detail rendering. Quality is improved when the lens is stopped down. At f/22 performance suffers slightly from diffraction effects. Within the close-focusing range from 16" to 9", the lens should be stopped down to at least f/11.

The favorable position of the exit pupil illuminates the picture more evenly at medium apertures than its predecessor did. Strong light sources within the picture area may cause reflections. The lens is free from pincushion and barrel distortion which are often noticeable with other ultra-wide angle lenses.

The SUPER-ANGULON is an ultra-wide angle lens for architectural photography as well as reportages with astonishing impact - provided it is used correctly. The angle of field at 92° is more than twice that of a 50mm lens. Because of this and the extremely great depth of field, pictures of unusual perspective can be obtained. At short camera distances, foreground objects are exaggerated in size in relation to a rapidly diminishing background.

SUPER-ANGULON lenses are eminently suitable for photographing architectural models. The following basic rules should be observed:

• Extremely powerful light sources in the picture area should be avoided.
• Attention should be paid to converging lines.
• The outside lens elements must be kept clean.
• Perspective distortion at the edges of the picture at close distances should be observed.

Manufacturer description #3

One of the most famous LEICA wideangle lenses, the 21 mm SUPER-ANGULON-R is distortion-free, remarkably sharp and yields exceptionally even illumination over the whole picture area. Its diagonal field angle is almost 92°, and when stopped down to f/16 the depth-of-field extends from approximately 16 inches (40 cm) to infinity. Dramatic panoramic views with enhanced foreground interest and rapidly receeding backgrounds are but one of its many creative possibilities.

Manufacturer description #4

This extreme wide-angle lens exhibits excellent definition and even illumination over the entire picture area. Primary uses: interior and exterior design, photography of architectural models (focusing detail as close as 20cm), industry, advertising, reportage and landscape photography. The wide angle of view offers dramatic effects of composition; prominent foreground with receding background and broad horizon.

From the editor

The lens was produced by Jos. Schneider Optische Werke of Kreuznach, but based on Leica's design. It is a retrofocus design dedicated originally for the LEICAFLEX SL which had no mirror lock-up feature and therefore could not be used with the original F/3.4 version of Super-Angulon 21mm. The lens is compatible with reflex viewing and TTL metering, impossible with the predecessor.

The lens hood is attached by a bayonet latch to two pins on the front rim of the lens. Series 8.5 filters are kept in place by the lens hood. The lens also has internal thread for M72 x 0.75 filters.

Other ultra-wide angle prime lenses in the Leica R system

Lenses with similar focal length