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glenerrolrd · 07/21/08, 05:56 AM

I have owned and used both these lens since they were new to the Leica catalog. The APO 3.4 is an exceptional lens even by todays standards. At infinity it is equal to the latest 180APO. It renders with a brilliance that is only found in the very best optics. It is light and has a very long throw( fine but slow focusing). Not quite as sharp at closer distances. RobSteve did an excellent test of the 3.4apo against the latest apo2.8 and preferred the 3.4 version(but they were close). The 180 2.8 V2 is an excellent lens but not in the same league as the 3.4 (based on my experience). So why have both or pick the 2.8 V2.....its for the close and quick focusing. The 180 2.8 V2 excels in portraits and anyplace where rapid accurate focus is important. I used my 180 V2 for tennis and the apo 3.4 would not perform there. The newer and much more expensive 180/2.8 APO performs like the 3.4 but handles even better than the older V2.

07/21/08, 05:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
glenerrolrd Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 05/04/06 Posts: 508	Re: 180 3.4 Apo vs 180 2.8 2nd version I have owned and used both these lens since they were new to the Leica catalog. The APO 3.4 is an exceptional lens even by todays standards. At infinity it is equal to the latest 180APO. It renders with a brilliance that is only found in the very best optics. It is light and has a very long throw( fine but slow focusing). Not quite as sharp at closer distances. RobSteve did an excellent test of the 3.4apo against the latest apo2.8 and preferred the 3.4 version(but they were close). The 180 2.8 V2 is an excellent lens but not in the same league as the 3.4 (based on my experience). So why have both or pick the 2.8 V2.....its for the close and quick focusing. The 180 2.8 V2 excels in portraits and anyplace where rapid accurate focus is important. I used my 180 V2 for tennis and the apo 3.4 would not perform there. The newer and much more expensive 180/2.8 APO performs like the 3.4 but handles even better than the older V2.