Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ted Grant & Eric Welch, I just got my new 180 f2.8 APO today. Outstanding build quality; balance with a R8/winder is incredible. Very smooooth internal focusing. Close focusing distance just under 1.5 meters. The built in hood sure looks like there will be minimal flare. The brochure indicates that four of the seven elements are high-refraction glass; it also states " image performance is so high already at full aperture, it can barely be increased by stopping down". Whoa; love to see the MTF diagrams! It sure looks like I can hand hold this combo all day long. I'm getting real close to having my optimal set of fixed focal length lenses. BTW, in talking with Leica USA today, the reason that Solms stopped making the R-90 f2 was that they could not squeeze the ROM into the lens; hmmm, does that make sense? Oh well, I wish Solms would announce the R-90 f2 APO; leaving an an obvious gap in their product line makes no sense. Tom D.