Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On 17-11-1998 05:27 James Burris wrote: >I recently purchased a Leica 35-70 f4 ASPH lens and I'm sorry to report >after shooting three rolls of film with it and my Leica 100mm f4 macro >prime, I returned it. Sorry to hear that, James. But again, it is my feeling that, if one wants to invest into a Leica R system, the most important reason will be because of the R lens qualities. So, lenses should be choosen on that basis only. The main reason to invest into Leica R is that they have some of the best optics available on the market. It is not my impression that lenses like the 35-40/4.0 and 28-70/3.5-4.5 are up to what we now have become to expect from Leica (and I have tested the latter zoom lens in practice). Therefore, it is my opinion that if one is not willing to get the best lenses for R, one should seriously consider not to invest into the system but get any other (and much cheaper) brand instead which will have a much better price/performance ratio and, accordingly, a better customer satisfaction. It is a pity and understandably a huge disappointment to invest into a very expensive camera system and not obtaining the results one was looking for in view of the Leica name. Among the R's stellar lenses that "outclass" the competition and by doing so have a competitive "Leica advantage", I would suggest the following (please note that is the R and not the M system where the choice would be different): 19/2.8, 28/2.8, 50/1.4 new, 50/2.0, Macro 60/2.8, Apo Macro 100/2.8, Apo 180/2.8, Vario Apo 70-180/2.8 and in general all Apo teles. Just my honest thoughts on the matter. And now I am hiding :-) Pascal - -------------------------------------------------------- See my photo pages at http://members.xoom.com/cyberplace/ - ------------------------------------------------------- Who else than Leica could make a camera like the R8 ? With that unique design and above all: that ergonomics. Nikon ? Canon ? Nobody but Leica ! - ------------------------------------------------------- <<< PGP public key available on request >>>