Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 12:56 +0800 09/12/98, Ben Ho ^_^ wrote: [ . . . ] >I have been thinking about the APO 70-180/2.8 a lot lately. [ . . . ] You are not alone ! > [ . . . ] When zoom lenses come into play, the keywords become OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY. Your image composition will be MUCH faster, you will need to move around much less. In your photobag, the weight will be about the same. After a few "sessions", the weight difference will be a minor consideration, as the ergonomics of this zoom grow onto you. Resale value wise, the star performer that the LEICA APO-Vario-Elmarit 70-180mm is, makes it a long term sound purchase. If you analyse the situation from an APPLICATION- wise point of view, for casual portraits as an example, you will cover just about every photo styles with this one APO zoom. If you were about to choose the three monofocals VS the zoom proper, from ground zero, i'm quite sure the zoom would shine its virtues on you. Letting go of one's toys is not that easy, but you will gain in many ways, the least NOT being the 70mm range where portraits have a much less compressed look and feel. The LEICA APO-Vario-Elmarit 70-180mm also is fully useable on all focal, all apertures, all focusing distances. You also must take note that this specific zoom is an engineering landmark that makes zooms equal or better than a whole lot of other lenses, some LEICA brand optics even. Obviously, your Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm, should remain in your bag, for many reasons you most likely would convey better than i ever could at this point, if but for the extreme accuracy at close ranges and macro-photo specific qualities. So, if your budget can justify the move, if you think your images could become more "dynamic" ( series of shots using various focals, various angles, much less moving around to get the images right ), if saving time on contract photo-shoots (not having to change lenses as often = less stress , more time to do photography proper ), if the LEICA commitment to optical excellence is a positive value to you personally [ ! ], then why not indulge ? Just from a "hobby" point-of-view, you'll be all excited for years to come, certainly a month of bragging and showing-off this red dot baby may justify the expense. It's unlikely you'd "outgrow" this specific LEICA zoom for many years. And : it's Christmas time, don't you feel you've been enough of a good boy to deserve such a token for your hard work ? Go get it ! . . . and don't even look back ! All the Best ! Andre Jean Quintal - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It ain't easy being a Frog ! Kermit