Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have no hands-on experience with these Leica lenses, as I use Nikon for my SLR work. But these comments hold irrespective of the marque: A large, heavy zoom (and the Leica 70-180 is *much* heavier than the Nikon 80-200/2.8) requires more meticulous technique to ensure sharp images, than smaller and lighter fixed focal length lenses. Even if the 70-180 is optically superior at 180mm and f/4 than your 180 Elmar at f/4, if you handhold both of them at even 1/250 sec., the image with the Elmar will very likely be sharper. (This is one reason why "lens tests" can be misleading). The 70-180 zoom has applications which the three fixed lenses are incapable of, namely, an infinite range of focal lengths which can be accessed without changing lenses. That should be your primary reason for buying it. I would also try out the 70-180 for a day of shooting if possible. You will then know if you can tolerate its weight and size (just pointing it about the store is not sufficient) and know what it takes (tripod, monopod, etc.) to make sharp images with it. You also might want to try it with extension tubes to see if it can hold its own in the macro department since you contemplate selling the 100 macro. In any case, I would not sell the 180/4. It isn't going to bring a lot of money; Leica have discontinued it; and you *will* find occasions when the 70-180 is more than you want to carry. Regards, Nigel ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]