Leica R users - Will you expand/reduce your R?

[Mantice]

I am a R user and I love my current R gear. I want a 280/4 but price has double compare to 2005 (now 7000$). Because I shoot wildlife without a compact short super-tele I can't complete my system. (can't find used either)

I don't made money out of photography so that money seems very unrealistic. I don't like Nikon's complex computer-like control and "slightly" less ideal image quality (my personal taste). But judging from all factors Nikon seems to be a wise investment over Leica in the future (not now, but its coming).

PS: I use equipment as tools rather than collectables, so I always keep it simple. I also enjoy maximizing a len's performance rather than chasing latest technologies.

What action would you recommand? I will also like to hear your thoughts about your existing R gear, especially judging the trends now (please don't mention R10, its too unrealistic to say anything about it now)

[ejd]

What about using an older 250 or 280 mm Leica lens, like a 250 f4 or the Telyt f4.8 280mm for visoflex? These can relatively cheap. Not as good, no doubt, as the current 280 f4 but maybe still interesting.

[Mantice]

Originally Posted by ejd

What about using an older 250 or 280 mm Leica lens, like a 250 f4 or the Telyt f4.8 280mm for visoflex? These can relatively cheap. Not as good, no doubt, as the current 280 f4 but maybe still interesting.

Really? How much is a good used price for 250mm right now (latest edition)? f/4 is just right but f/4.8 is too dark for me.

Also can the 250/4 perform better than Canon/Nikon equivalent? I see why Leica increase their price for Euro/$ gap but aren't they already reduce much of their inspection process/personnel cost?

[topoxforddoc]

Mantice,

Patience is needed. I bought my 280/4 APO (non ROM) from a LUF member a year ago for GBP1000. R prices are falling at the moment. Alternatively, try the 180 apos and use aa APO converter.

Charlie

[andybarton]

In the UK, a 250 f4 can be had for about £450. With a 2x converter thrown in for nothing.

[stunsworth]

But the 280 is a modern APO lens - and very, very good from what I've seen.

A bit like trying to compare a Summar to a Summicron IMHO.

[lct]

How good would you rate the 250/4 folks?

[stunsworth]

Slow to focus - long throw - which could be a good or a bad thing, and heavy. The focussing ring on mine is a bit on the stiff side. The later version had a rotating tripod collar - the earlier one was fixed.

But I've found the photos to be very good, though personally I favour the 180 f4 as it's a lot smaller and lighter/.

[andybarton]

"Andy" would say "It's rubbish"

Both cars travelling at serious speed, btw.



l26.jpg



l49.jpg

[Mantice]

topoxforddoc, I had been waiting since 2005, do you think I still have a chance? The price increase when I almost saved enough money. (the retail price is still going up though) Once I almost buy it but had to return it because its CLA'ed condition with cleaning mark (and priced new too, 5125$, in 2007)

If I do wait I won't have funds for both 180 and extender

Andy that's not too bad How is the quality when blowing up?

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by Mantice

Andy that's not too bad How is the quality when blowing up?

Rubbish

[Mantice]

Originally Posted by andybarton

Rubbish

............ (sad)

[andybarton]

I'm joking...

This is straight out of Lightroom from the DMR. NO adjustments at all.

Getting back on topic, I will be looking to expand my R collection over the next 12 months. Funds allowing.

caterham.jpg

[Mantice]

Originally Posted by andybarton

I'm joking...

This is straight out of Lightroom from the DMR. NO adjustments at all.

Haha, that's not bad. It does have CA (purple fring at edge) but I think I can handle its quality now.

By the way why do you expand your R? Do you have confident about the film price/avaliability or future digital body? I'm just curious.

[stunsworth]

Here's a shot taken in 2004 with the lens on a Canon 300D - a 6 mp camera for those who don't have long memories!

CRW_1485-band.jpg

[paulmoore]

Originally Posted by ejd

What about using an older 250 or 280 mm Leica lens, like a 250 f4 or the Telyt f4.8 280mm for visoflex? These can relatively cheap. Not as good, no doubt, as the current 280 f4 but maybe still interesting.

yeah, I think you would have more luck finding a 280 f2.8 apo there seems to be those showing up for sale a lot.. I got a user for pretty cheap on ebay.. not rom but it is brighter than the f4 and at f4 -f5.6 I think you would struggle to see a difference in sharpness.
shooting wildlife with manual focus I would want it as bright as possible.
paul

[wildlightphoto]

Originally Posted by lct

How good would you rate the 250/4 folks?

I used the late version for a couple of years before getting the 280 f/4 APO. It has some CA toward the edges, flare control and color saturation are excellent, in my experience much better than the 280mm f/4.8 for Visoflex. What I like about the late version (vs. early version) is the much quicker focus throw and much closer minimum focus distance, and the rotating tripod collar.

Originally Posted by paulmoore

yeah, I think you would have more luck finding a 280 f2.8 apo there seems to be those showing up for sale a lot.. I got a user for pretty cheap on ebay.. not rom but it is brighter than the f4 and at f4 -f5.6 I think you would struggle to see a difference in sharpness. shooting wildlife with manual focus I would want it as bright as possible.
paul

I found that the f/4 APO is easier to focus because it's so well-corrected. It's also lighter weight, sharper at ALL apertures, focuses closer and produces better bokeh, and the DOF at f/2.8 is so shallow that its usefulness was limited. My suggestion is that if you don't think you can afford the f/4 APO, DO NOT BORROW ONE OR TEST IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES because once you have the slightest taste of the image quality it can produce it will haunt you until you sell a kidney or first-born to finance it

[Mantice]

Originally Posted by wildlightphoto

DO NOT BORROW ONE OR TEST IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES because once you have the slightest taste of the image quality it can produce it will haunt you until you sell a kidney or first-born to finance it

Too late Doug I emailed you during my previous purchase attempt, and I did something legit (yet stupid) that's why I end up must returning it....... still regreting. Lost the only chance when I can affort it.

Should I set my goal for saving money or should I focus more on getting used? If I do go for the saving route I only hope US$ value goes up....and Leica become more price friendly or it may take years to happened from now.

280/2.8 is too big for my modular taste For me weight is not a big deal but size is.

[thomasl.se]

Re: expanding/reducing,

I don't have any R items in my bag but 177 on my ebay watch list. With the quality/price ratio I'm lining up to rake in a set of lenses and AF confirm adapters; a used 350d for sensor. Then a breather and possibly take new aim on an FF.

A plan, roughly in this order:
28
Leicanon 350d
60
50:2
80
Junction at this point of the course: If I get an FF, then 35:2. In a no FF scenario, there's no 35:2 but a 21:4 to cover the the wide flank. And of course, the expensive 35:1.4 would be very interesting.

Later,
Thomas

[lct]

Thank you folks. How do you recognize the late version of the 250/4?