Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/10/09

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To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: Zoom for R (was Re: Difference between M and R)
From: "joe b." <joe-b@dircon.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 1996 20:29:55 +0100

In article <199610082223.PAA01069@apache.Eng.Sun.COM>, Gerald Hsu
<gerald.hsu@Eng.Sun.COM> writes
>I own a R system and now thinking of buying a zoom lense for my R7. Just
>how well does the Angenieux 70-210 compare with the new Elmarit 80-200/f4? 
>I would appreciate your comments on these two lenses. Or, what is your
>favorite zoom lense for R? Thanks.

I hate it when I get questions I can't answer properly! I have no
experience of the 80-200 Elmarit- I wish I did! What I've heard about it
is enough to make me want one of those too. The Angenieux 70-210 I've
used a few times and not made big prints yet, but everything I've seen
from it whether in 5 x 7.5" monochrome prints or on slides looks really
good to me. It looks like its very sharp and contrasty and it has a nice
and rather distinctive (to me, at least) quality, not like a Japanese
lens at all but not quite like a Leica lens either; I'd say it has a
"look" all of its own, but European rather than Japanese. It's one of
those lenses where I really feel I'm only scratching the surface of what
I could do with it. I think it will become a standard component of my
landscape kit, along with the 24. I got it for UKP 695 as I recall, and
I've seen one advertised this week for that price in Ffordes in the UK.
Mine came in its original padded wooden box with a water-resistant-
looking drawstring bag, hood and UV filter. I'd recommend this on the
basis of what I've seen it do, but since I haven't made any big prints
from it yet (soon will though), and have only looked with a 4 x loupe so
far at the slides, I can't make absolute claims for it yet- but I don't
think my opinion will change when I do. It is no longer made, though,
but then that applies to a number of desirable lenses and Leica users
are not easily put off by mere scarcity! If you can find one and shoot a
roll of film through it you might decide you like what it does. I see
them advertised occasionally, so they can be found if you are
persistent. Although if I couldn't find one of these, I might be
persuaded to try the new 80-200 Elmarit as a consolation! (only joking
folks...)
-- 
joe b.

In reply to: Message from gerald.hsu@Eng.Sun.COM (Gerald Hsu) (Zoom for R (was Re: Difference between M and R))