[stuny]

Rich -

Glad to see you've made it to the new Forum.

This wasn’t with my D2, but with my FX01 (C-Lux 1). However, I notice similar (though not as severe) barrel distortion at the widest settings of my D2, of my R28-70, and of my friend Gerard’s R28-90. There are so many other advantages to all four of those lenses that we learn to live with, and usually work around, the barrel distortion.

I have 3 batteries for my D2. I bought the other two on eBay not long after getting the D2 in March of 2004. One is a Leica battery (a very good price), and the other (I bought them separately) is a “Promaster” with a slightly lower amp hour rating. Generally speaking, if everything else is right (volts, contacts, size, the greater the amp hour rating the better.

There are supplementary lenses available for the D2 (and Panasonic equivalent) for both tele and wide angle (and for that matter, a Leica produced Elpro macro lens). I would keep away form the non-Panasonic supplementary lenses, even though I have no experience with them. On the old Leica Forum, TV journalist Asa Arons had a wide angle supplementary lens he was selling. His experience with it was quite positive, as it was with another Forum member, but he didn’t like the bulk, weight and price of the lens.

I too find response from Leica USA to be spotty, though one of the highest ranking sales folks there has always been very responsive. I don’t have his name or email address at home, but his first name is Dave.