Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]on 4/12/00 3:01 am, Cochran, Adam at owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us wrote: > I have seen many comments on the 35-70 f4 - but has anyone had experience > with the 35-70 f3.5 Vario-Elmar (German)? How does it compare to the > current f4? Thanks. Hi Adam I originally bought a Mint 35-70 f3.5 German Vario Elmar. It had the distinct advantage of fitting in a long-nose case for an R4. I tested the lens on a tripod with shots of my local church using my 60mm Macro Elmarit as a benchmark. I wasn't stunned by the resolution but I was very disappointed by the flare performance. My dealer took one look at the pictures and immediately suggested the new 35-70 f4 (same price new versus pre-owned). I don't know why but I was rather reluctant to take it and as I was moving from the UK to the US at the time didn't get chance to try it out for over a month. All I can say is I continue to be delighted by this lens. The resolution and colour fidelity is excellent. You can use it wide open and it flares in a very soft 'smoky' manner which I find I can use creatively should I want. I've shot every kind of film now with the lens from IR to high speed colour and I'm sold on it. I should thank the LUGgers that helped me take the decision to go with the newer lens as I was all ready to give up on zooms. - -- David Prakel dprakel@rochester.rr.com seeing double photo exhibition currently showing at the Community Darkroom Rochester, NY and at http://home.rochester.rr.com/prakel/exhibition/gallery.htm please check it out