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

[seungmin@luxmail.luxcom.com]

     Hi,
     
      I once had the fat 180/2.8 of which results were very pleasing to me. 
     I sold it just because it is too big and hefty for me to hold steady. 
     I am only 120 lbs.  I now want to have it again.  Some of my blow-up 
     of my boy were taken with it.  I am going to get one if I can find 
     one.  I had better luck than with 180/3.4 APO.  I would not spend more 
     than $1000.00 for the newer one while I can buy the fat one for as 
     little as $500.00.
     
     Regards,
     David 

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: 180mm:2.8 Elmarit-R; Other R lens advice.
Author:  leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us at Internetmail
Date:    6/9/97 2:27 PM


     
      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