Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/10/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In article <199610082223.PAA01069@apache.Eng.Sun.COM>, Gerald Hsu <gerald.hsu@Eng.Sun.COM> writes >I own a R system and now thinking of buying a zoom lense for my R7. Just >how well does the Angenieux 70-210 compare with the new Elmarit 80-200/f4? >I would appreciate your comments on these two lenses. Or, what is your >favorite zoom lense for R? Thanks. I hate it when I get questions I can't answer properly! I have no experience of the 80-200 Elmarit- I wish I did! What I've heard about it is enough to make me want one of those too. The Angenieux 70-210 I've used a few times and not made big prints yet, but everything I've seen from it whether in 5 x 7.5" monochrome prints or on slides looks really good to me. It looks like its very sharp and contrasty and it has a nice and rather distinctive (to me, at least) quality, not like a Japanese lens at all but not quite like a Leica lens either; I'd say it has a "look" all of its own, but European rather than Japanese. It's one of those lenses where I really feel I'm only scratching the surface of what I could do with it. I think it will become a standard component of my landscape kit, along with the 24. I got it for UKP 695 as I recall, and I've seen one advertised this week for that price in Ffordes in the UK. Mine came in its original padded wooden box with a water-resistant- looking drawstring bag, hood and UV filter. I'd recommend this on the basis of what I've seen it do, but since I haven't made any big prints from it yet (soon will though), and have only looked with a 4 x loupe so far at the slides, I can't make absolute claims for it yet- but I don't think my opinion will change when I do. It is no longer made, though, but then that applies to a number of desirable lenses and Leica users are not easily put off by mere scarcity! If you can find one and shoot a roll of film through it you might decide you like what it does. I see them advertised occasionally, so they can be found if you are persistent. Although if I couldn't find one of these, I might be persuaded to try the new 80-200 Elmarit as a consolation! (only joking folks...) -- joe b.