Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 98-04-28 07:27:45 EDT, you write: << I'd be interested in seeing that comparison. I'm contemplating buying a s/h 2nd version, not the heavy first one or the newest either. Do you have any thoughts on the cf between the first and second versions as well? Or any other Luggers? Jem >> I have used the old (heavy) first version and found it to be a good performer. It had typical (of that era) response to contrasty situations. What seemed to happen was an ever so slight bleed of higlight detail into the shadows when shot wide open. It was and still is the best example of 180s from that time (Nikon also made a 180 2.8). The improvements, I feel, came from better coatings and newer glass formulations in the second and current non APO versions. The main difference in the APO and current versions of the 180 is extremely well corrected at maximum aperture. I like to shoot wide open and appreciate the great corrections put into this lense. You won't go wrong with the current versions, you will only see a slight and I do mean slight difference in sharpness and accutance wide open. There is a difference in the color accuracy, brightness and character of the lense. Al