Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Seth Wrote: Sorry for the sending error. I am getting back to some telephotography. For many years was using 280/4.8 Telyt on Visoflex. Sold both 6-8 years ago. For SLR work, I have had an R6 for some years and have been limited to the 135/2.8 Elmarit, occasionally with the 2X extender. I want a 180; it's a very useful focal length and, with the extender, gives that much more reach, almost a 400mm. I cannot justify the new Apo-Elmarit at over $3,000, a bit less used, and wouldn't want the 180 Summicron; apart the price it's simply too heavy and bulky. The old 180/4 has a great weight/size advantage - important to me - and I could probably live with the f/8 extender speed - - others live comfortably with the 400/6.8. My question has to do with the optical quality of the f/4 compared with that of the 180/2.8 lenses, both alone and with the extender. Given the constraints of purse, limiting me to these lenses, optical performance is what concerns me most. Incidentally, I had been considering the 180/3.4, a truly excellent lens, but have heard that it does not perform well with either the normal (understandable) or the apo extender (not quite so understandable). Help. Seth LaK 9 ====================================================================== Seth, I bought a used 180/4, mainly because it was the only 180mm lens I could find in Jatkarta at the time. I haven't tried it with an extender but I'm very happy with the images I get from it, in terms of colour saturation and sharpness. The 180/4 is handy for travel, being small and light (even the 135mm is a heavier lens). I also like the fact that it takes E55 filters. The 180/4 focuses closer that the 180/3.4 and, I believe, performs somewhat better at close range ... and it's a lot cheaper! If you haven't already done so, see Doug Herr's review of the lens at URL: http://www.wildlightphoto.com/leica/180R40.HTM Regards, ===== Ray "The trouble with resisting temptation is you never know when you'll get another chance!" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/