Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/12/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]David, I had an 80-200/4 VarioR. Performance is superb. Build is amazing. Mine focused like fine silk. But it's hardly the best in the R lineup. Major drawbacks. It's only f4. It's expensive. It's Leica R. I (reluctantly) parted with my R system because the features of other SLRs were just too much to overcome. Some lenses justify using Leica R. IMHO, the 80-200 isn't one of them. The other lenses you mention are entirely different beasts. I compared the vario to an 80-200/2.8 ED AF Nikkor, which is a stop faster, AF and no slouch. DaveR -----Original Message----- From: David Young [mailto:telyt@telus.net] Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 2:34 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Would like an opinion grduprey@aol.com wrote: > I have the opertunity to get a lens for Christmas this year, but am having a problem deciding which of 3 choices to go with. I would like some opinions of my options. The three options are the 90 AA Sumicron M, either the 21 or 25 Zeiss W.A., or the 80 - 200 R Zoom. > I cannot speak for the others, but the 80~200/4 Vario-R is the most under rated, over performing lens in the R line-up. Cuts images like a razor, to quote Ted Grant. I replaced my 180/4 Elmar-R with it, and it not only gives the convenience of a zoom, it's way, way better optically, with an incredible resistance to flare. It's built in Nippon, by Kyocera, but was designed by Leica. Construction is up to top Leica standards in every way. You won't go wrong with it! BTW: It also works very well with the older 2x converters and it's virtually impossible to tell when the newer APO 2x is used with it. I couldn't live without mine! -- David Young, Logan Lake, BC CANADA. Personal Web-site at: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt Leica Reflex Forum web-page: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/lrflex.htm