Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>Could someone >please shed some light on the various APO, LD, L, &c., lenses that exist? >How can you determine the relative quality of different manufacturer's >offerings? Or is it just lore? As far as I am concerned, an APO lens is one that can produce sharp results at full aperture, because it focuses the three points of light onto the same plane of focus. I am not an expert on the science on this, but I own the fabulous R-100/2.8 macro, which justifies this claim as far I can tell. I have owned the Sigma 300/2.8 lens, which claims APO status. As far as I am concerned, this is not justified as at f/2.8 it performs 'OK' at best. In fact, this lens was one of the reasons why I changed to Leica-R, and I look forward to the day I purchase my first Leica super-tele! I suppose it is down to cost again; the Leica 280/2.8 is £6,000+, while the Sigma is £2,500 with other Japanese manufactures selling them for around £4,000. Could we say that Leicas' are 'super' apos, and other manufacturers are just 'normal' apos?! Simon