Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/26

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Subject: Re: [Leica] 80-200 reponses
From: Donal Philby <donalphilby@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 19:09:58 -0700

Ted Grant wrote:
> 
> All in all?  I'd have an 80-200 f4.0 without question, it's a fine lens
> (apart from the ring rubber) extremely sharp and nice crisp edge contrast
> with excellent colour rendition.
> 
> As far as comments...."made in Japan by Kyocera" I can only say, that if
> these folks are producing Leica glass/lenses under Leica specs... I'll take
> them any day!

As I've mentioned on LUG some months ago I tested
(informally--puttering, not Putz-ing) the 80-200 Leica F/4 against the
80-200 f/2.8 I own.  In all cases--front light, back light (with induced
flare), closeup, whatever--images were virtually indistinguishable.  I
even had several photographers compare the two unmounted rolls on light
table.  None favored one over the other.  The difference is that Nikkor
is $1000 cheaper and one stop faster and AF too.  In all fairness, this
lens is considered one of Nikons prizes.  

Last week I also shot job with 35-70 Nikor at 35 and same strobe lit
scene with 28mm Contax G lens and also could not tell apart, except, of
course, perspective.  But a year ago tested f/3.5 Leica 35-70 against
Nikkor and Leica wins by slightest margin.

But I can definitely tell the 35 'cron M lens from all others.  

Just the opinion of one set of aging eyes.

donal
- -- 
Donal Philby
San Diego
www.donalphilby.com