Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]There are two of us (possibly more) on the LUG that own and use the 15mm R lens (Ted & I) and have sung its praises many times before. It truly is a spectacular lens. Thanks Marc for the fine dissertation on its design. The 180/3.4 APO, I have read, was designed for the military and was formulated for a very specific purpose. Surveillance at a specific distance. The lens is excellent for its intended purpose, but in my estimation, is *not* an all purpose 180mm lens. It does not like filters (degrades sharpness noticeably, which I personally experienced), and it does not like focussing closer than its "designed" distance. On the other hand, the 180/2.8 new design, is bright, crisp-sharp, will take both 1.4x & 2x APO extenders, will focus close, loves filters, etc, etc, etc. So *FOR ME*, and for good, sharp, Leica photography, with a nice bright ground glass view, the 180/2.8 wins hands down. IMHO, Jim