Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mike, > the Leica R line > does have its relative weak points, but, for the most part, the best R lenses > are the _ne plus ultra_ of what is available to consumers in the 35mm format. Welcome to the LUG Mike. Now we all know that the 100/2.8 APO, the 180/2 and the 70-180 are the finest available, but isn't it also true of almost all of the larger 35mm manufacturers to have a good number of lenses in their respective lines that are the finest as well? Olympus has the 35-80/2.8, the 50 and 90/2's, the 21/2 and the 24 shift (plus the 250/2 and 350/2.8). Canon has the three T/S lenses, the 50/1, the 85/1.2, the 135/2, the 180/3.5 and the 200/1.8. Nikon has the 18/3.5, the 55 2.8, the 85/1.4, the 105/1.8, the 200 macro and the 400/3.5. Contax has the rightful claim (unless you count Pentax, who co-designed the lens with Zeiss) to the 15/3.5 and has the commonly accepted finest versions of these lenses: 21/2.8, the 35/1.4, the 50/1.4, the 60/2.8, the 85/2.8 and the 135/2.8. This list could include pretty much every manufacturer, all the way to Ricoh, which has the finest cost-performance ratio with their 28/3.5, 45/2.8 and 55/1.2. Further (and conversely), Leica hasn't been on the SLR short end for a good while and there are good reasons to think of the R cameras as the best to be found. They're obviously built to a finer standard than any other current camera line (though Olympus gives them a good run and the still available F3 is probably the best currently built single body). In terms of features, you're fully correct but the R camera line is certainly as capable of properly done results as any. I'd also agree that the R lens line is the finest overall line in terms of build; I'd just like a fatter disclaimer when I read that any lensline is the superior one overall. Regards, Danny Gonzalez