180mm:2.8 Elmarit-R; Other R lens advice.

[uskanb2n@ibmmail.com]

      How does the old style series VIII 180mm f:2.8 Elmarit compare
with the newer version? I hear tell the newer version is much smaller &
lighter. Is it equal (or better) optically? ( I have the old style & it
weighs a ton...)

      Further, my Leicaflex outfit has a big hole in the middle: I only
have a 35mm PA Curtagon and the 180.

      I had been thinking of buying the 60mm Macro, but that duplicates
the 55mm Nikkor which mostly lives on the copy stand, So it occurred to
me to inquire about the 35-70mm Vario-Elmar, which seems to be available
at a reasonable price used (for Leica). Is the quality close to the
35-50-90mm fixed focal length lenses? How close does it focus? If it
could get down to about postcard size, or even typing paper size, and
the quality is acceptable, (my previous experience with zooms hasn't been
encouraging) one could make my Leicaflex outfit much more useful.

      Of course the 50mm Sumicron-R and 90mm Elmarit-R would do likewise
and in user condition wouldn't cost much more... but does either of these
focus very close?

      Comments & suggestions please.

                                          - John Lowther