Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> APO 100/2.8 > 135/2.8 > 180/4 > >Does any one know how is the optical quality of the zoom comparing to >the 3 lens above? (Is it really very much better than the 135 and 180 >as advised by the saleman?) It is optically superior to the latter two lenses. Significantly. (Especially wide open since the 180 is a stop slower.) It is quite heavy. And at 100mm it's the equal of the 100 Apo Macro. It is a wonderful lens, but it's expense is a major factor you have to answer for yourself. It's like having numerous single focal length lenses. A distinct advantage for many shooting situations where it's not convenient to move back and forth. And gives you a much more flexible manipulation of perspective/cropping than any single focal length lens. But that takes some thinking and work. Zoom lenses can also lead to lazy cropping and control of the background in the picture. But for optical performance, this lens is superb. It's beautiful. Big. Heavy. >Is it a good move to sell off the 135 and 180 and get the new zoom? - -- Eric Welch St. Joseph, MO http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch Men say they know many things; but lo! they have taken wings The arts and sciences, and a thousand appliances The wind that blows is all that any body knows. -Thoreau