Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/05/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:32 AM 5/21/97 PST, you wrote: > Hi, > > I am just curious about the subject lens. Why is the used one so > cheap compared with 100 APO-Macro-Elmarit? I know the price > difference between these two lenses for the new ones is only about > $100. For used ones, why is the 180 depreciated so much? I > understand the performance of it is pretty comparable to the 100. > Both of them are APO. Any comments will be appreciated. > > Regards, > David > > I'm recalling this from way back in my feeble memory so if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me. The 180 APO was made for the military (maybe Canadian military) and was designed for a specific purpose. I don't remember what that purpose was although I was told at one time. I think maybe surveillance. The lens is very sharp when used as it was intended. It has a problem with filters. If the filter is not ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY flat and pure, image degradation is prominent. I had one of these lenses and did indeed have filter related problems. The lens seemed OK at longer distances with no filter. Close stuff seemed a little off. I sold it & bought a 180 2.8 and never looked back. I have never had even the slightest hint of a problem with the 2.8. It is, from my point of view, a better overall performer than the APO. Perhaps the used price of the 180 APO reflects this. Jim