Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/17

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Subject: [Leica] Re: Apo 70-180/2.8 (was: Archive search engine)
From: nbwatson@juno.com (N. B. Watson)
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 12:21:43 EST

I can't speak for the Leica 70-180 but the Nikkor 80-200 is a fine lens
but not quite the legend it has come to be reputed.  I have owned 2
versions, the one-ring AF-D and the latest 2-ring with tripod collar. 
The latest version is much better handling and has a marginally faster AF
speed, plus the tripod collar is a welcome improvement which should have
been part of the design from day one.  The lens is sharp and constrasty
wide open and improves only slightly stopped down.  At 80mm it compares
favourably to the fixed 85mm Nikkors and at 105 is almost the equal of
the 105 2.8 Micro.  At the long end, however, the 180 2.8 EDIF AFd
exceeds the zoom's performance markedly in the close range.  Considering
that the 180 Nikkor and the non-APO 180 Leica I found very comparable,
you should get some idea of the relative performance of the 80-200 vs
70-180 Leica if you can compare it to the non-APO 180.  It should be
noted that the latest 80-200 Nikkor's price has fallen into the under
$800 range and likely will fall further as the 80-200 2.8 AF-S "silent
wave" lens hits the dealers' shelves.

Regards,
Nigel

On Tue, 17 Nov 1998 11:51:23 +0100 Pascal <cyberdog@ibm.net> writes:
>On 17-11-1998 06:06 Eric Welch wrote:
>
>>Ah, but now that I got one for $3,000, it's quite justified. And I 
>can tell
>>you, that sharpness difference would certainly be missed now. And 
>besides,
>>the price is lower than that. Well under $5,000 with the rebate.
>
>Eric:
>
>How would you rate the Leica Vario-Apo 70-180/2.8 compared to the 
>Nikkor 
>AF 80-200/2.8 and Canon EOS 70-200/2.8 L lenses based on your 
>practical 
>experiences?
>I now this is a difficult question but -as I have only the Leica lens- 
>
>cannot compare it to the other two. 
>Thanks!
>
>Pascal
>
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