Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 05:27 PM 1/21/98 -0800, you wrote: >Hello friends.....I am back from a 2.5 week expedition to >Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Bali....what a beautiful trip..... >tons of photographs to share with you all when I get >my website revised. > >In the meantime......I saw a used MINT 180/2.8 R lens at my >local Leica dealer....I meant MINT.....the guy never used this >lens.....they want $1300. Is this a good used price for this lens? >How is the performance of this lens compared to the 3.4? >I know the 2.0 is the best 180, but which of the remaining 180s >takes second place? Does anyone have this lens, and can anyone >offer ratings? > >Thanks a million.... > >Francesco I've answered this question many times. I've owned both at the same time. Sold the 3.4 and kept the 2.8. Here's my take on the 2.8 & 3.4 lenses. The 180/3.4 APO, I have read, was designed for the military and was formulated for a very specific purpose. Surveillance at a specific distance. The lens is excellent for its intended purpose, but in my estimation, is *not* an all purpose 180mm lens. It does not like filters (degrades sharpness noticeably, which I personally experienced), and it does not like focusing closer than its "designed" distance. On the other hand, the 180/2.8 new design, is bright, crisp-sharp, will take both 1.4x & 2x APO extenders, will focus close, loves filters, etc, etc, etc. So *FOR ME*, and for good, sharp, Leica photography, with a nice bright ground glass view, the 180/2.8 wins hands down. IMHO. Buy it and don't look back. Jim