Rate R telephoto lenses from best downward excluding module from your own experiences

[algrove]

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I hear and read that this or that lens is the best R telephoto lens of all time, but would like to hear some solid experiences from forum members in one place. Many excellent comments have been posted here on various and sundry threads.

 

I have not yet used an R lens on a Leica, but hope to one day with an M-240 + M to R adapter.

 

280 or 180? With or without 1.4 and/or 2.0 tele extenders. Some of these lenses are very heavy and wonder which ones are worth carrying around since I am used to smaller M lenses and have maybe 10-15 years left in my bones and eye sight which is already down to just one eye.

 

I guess zooms and 500, 400, 350 and 250's are not the cream of the crop, but are they worth owning or should one save funds for the best rated lens(es). OK, so the 28-90 and 105-280 are very good lenses, but are not fixed lenses generally of better quality if one can afford an R telephoto. Yes, zooms do solve many weight issues of carrying around multiple fixed lenses and I have read of many who prefer this approach since zooms offer nice flexibility especially where you have less control over your subjects such as with wildlife. If I sound confused, I am. Your kind advise is appreciated.

 

How do I plan on using a long lens? Wildlife to a small degree at first and landscapes where I find often that my 90 M lenses (and on occassion my 135) are a bit short at times. Once I begin to feel comfortable shooting wildlife then perhaps this type of photography will take on greater significance with me.

 

I look ahead to Yellowstone and the surrounding areas, Alaska and eventually somewhere in Africa for using R telephotos with wildlife, but my tele desires are not restricted to these areas since longer tele needs often arise, but I seem to pass on those opportunities today with my M's.

[robsteve]

I would rate them this way.

 

280mm f4 APO

 

180mm F2 APO, rated above the 2.8 APO only because of the speed and Bokeh, stopped down they are the same. Needs to be stopped down with the extenders as the extenders are designed for f2.8 telephotos or f2 short to normal lenses. Works well with the extenders as this and the 2.8 APO have lots of resolution.

 

180mm f2.8 APO When used with the 2x APO, it had little change in quality. The 3.4 APO dropped in quality slightly with 2x.

 

400mm f2.8 APO still great with the 1.4x and 2x APO extenders, but tough at 800mm unless you have a high shutter speed or good tripod head and good general practices.

 

100mm f2.8 APO

 

90mm F2 APO

 

180mm f3.4 APO It is good for landscape but not great for people. Small but still heavy.

 

Of the above lenses I have owned them all except the 280mm f4 APO and still have the 100mm APO and 400mm APO.

 

Of the zooms, I settled on the following three and considered them a good enough compromise to sell some of the above APOs in the same range. On a M you could probably get away with the M lenses and just a 105-280mm for the telephoto shots if shooting with a tripod or monopod.

 

35-70mm F2.8 Probably almost as nice as the 90mm APO when shot at 70mm and very good macro position. This lens just got sold to a RED camera user.

 

105-280mm This lens is stellar in the 180mm range and focuses quite closely.

 

21-35mm Better than the equivalent R primes in that range.

 

I also had the 80-200mm f4, but the 105-280mm performed better and has a longer range.

[jaapv]

And top of the bill: The Modul System, I guess.( no personal experience)

I used to have the 280/4.0 Apo but now I use the 105-280 and find the image quality very close, so for me the versatility wins out.

[mmradman]

My entry into Leica world was purchase of R APO Elmarit 180mm for Leitax conversion for use on Nikon DSLR. Experience of using the lens was overwhelming and I can say my love of modern plastic Nikon system was thrown into tail spin culminating in selling most AF lenses (I still like & keep several manual focus Nikkor primes plus one AF 300mm).

 

Here is un-staged shot taken with D700 & APO Elmarit, needles to say rate it highly.

 

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http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4044/4606301819_f9a1a9faeb_z.jpg' alt='4606301819_f9a1a9faeb_z.jpg'>

Forlorn by mmradman, on Flickr[/img]

[robsteve]

And top of the bill: The Modul System, I guess.( no personal experience)

I used to have the 280/4.0 Apo but now I use the 105-280 and find the image quality very close, so for me the versatility wins out.

 

With the new M you could probably get along with the M lenses up to 90mm and the 105-280mm as long as you are using a tripod, monopod or some other support.

[luigi bertolotti]

With the new M you could probably get along with the M lenses up to 90mm and the 105-280mm as long as you are using a tripod, monopod or some other support.

 

Let's wait and see how the new M performs at High ISO... it could result one can OFTEN work at 1/1000 1/2000...

[k-hawinkler]

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With the new M you could probably get along with the M lenses up to 90mm and the 105-280mm as long as you are using a tripod, monopod or some other support.

 

 

I would add an APO 2x Extender-R provided it works with the 105-280 mm lens.

[robsteve]

I would add an APO 2x Extender-R provided it works with the 105-280 mm lens.

 

The 105-280mm works with both the 1.4x and 2x extenders, though with the 2x the lens becomes a pretty slow f8.4 lens.

[algrove]

I have looked for the elusive 105-280, but to no avail. Seems few are ever for sale.

[tobey bilek]

My entry into Leica world was purchase of R APO Elmarit 180mm for Leitax conversion for use on Nikon DSLR. Experience of using the lens was overwhelming and I can say my love of modern plastic Nikon system was thrown into tail spin culminating in selling most AF lenses (I still like & keep several manual focus Nikkor primes plus one AF 300mm).

 

Here is un-staged shot taken with D700 & APO Elmarit, needles to say rate it highly.

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4044/4606301819_f9a1a9faeb_z.jpg' alt='4606301819_f9a1a9faeb_z.jpg'>

Forlorn by mmradman, on Flickr[/img]

 

Just wait until you try it on a Leica body. It is more than a dark box, it is sensor and software.

[jaapv]

With the new M you could probably get along with the M lenses up to 90mm and the 105-280mm as long as you are using a tripod, monopod or some other support.

 

I'm used to shooting it handheld, even with the 1.4x. If need be a beanbag

[sfage]

I find the 400mm 6.8 to be an awful lens.

 

I have never taken a satisfactory, printable, saleable photograph with it.

 

I am sad that I bought it and I am going to dump it when I get home.

[jaapv]

In that case you are right to dump it; it must have something wrong with it. See Doug Herr's photographs using it.

[steveclem]

It's rubbish, you're absolutely correct here. I offer a free collection and dumping service should you require assistance in ridding your life of this pestilential obscenity.

[Rick]

The APO Telyt R 280/2.8 is another amazing lens. It is a stop faster than the APO 280/4 and also in the "stratosphere of optical performance."(1) This lens was also designed to be used with the APO extenders. The 2X extender makes a 560/f5.6 which is more useful than the 280/f4 which becomes an f8. The 280/2.8 seems to be available right now and they don't command quite the premium as some of the other APO Telyt lenses, yet. I took mine to Glacier National Park this summer and was pleased with the quality of image that the lens produced.

 

You also get a free suitcase when you buy one.

 

 

(1) Erwin Puts, Leica Chronicle, pg. 201, 2013

[k-hawinkler]

I find the 400mm 6.8 to be an awful lens.

I have never taken a satisfactory, printable, saleable photograph with it.

I am sad that I bought it and I am going to dump it when I get home.

 

 

Hmmm, that's strange. Maybe you got a bad copy.

Could you please post one of your better shots with that lens?

 

The one thing I sometimes don't like with my 400 and 560/5.6 and 6.8 Telyts is the bokeh.

Could you please explain your experiences in a bit more detail.

 

Thanks.

[Rick]

And top of the bill: The Modul System, I guess.( no personal experience)

I used to have the 280/4.0 Apo but now I use the 105-280 and find the image quality very close, so for me the versatility wins out.

 

Based on you continued recommendation of the 105-280, I just purchased a mint copy of that lens in the box. I have been following it from an auction a month ago. It didn't sell at auction for the price asked so, I have made three lower offers over the last 4 weeks and the seller has now agreed to my last offer. I believe I got a good price for this hard to find lens. I'll have it in a week and I'll let you know how I find it compares.

[wildlightphoto]

I find the 400mm 6.8 to be an awful lens.

 

I have never taken a satisfactory, printable, saleable photograph with it.

 

I am sad that I bought it and I am going to dump it when I get home.

 

IMHO it's not the best choice for landscapes.

 

 

The APO Telyt R 280/2.8 is another amazing lens. It is a stop faster than the APO 280/4 and also in the "stratosphere of optical performance."

 

Perhaps the one I used had a problem. I found the f/4 to be sharper especially outside the central region of the picture, produces better bokeh, is easier to focus quickly and accurately, and has a closer minimum focus and a better tripod mount.

[Rick]

 

 

 

Perhaps the one I used had a problem. I found the f/4 to be sharper especially outside the central region of the picture, produces better bokeh, is easier to focus quickly and accurately, and has a closer minimum focus and a better tripod mount.

 

I agree with all of your observations about the superb 280/4. There are trade-offs made in the 280/2.8 for a stop faster lens.

 

I guess that what amazes me is that the 280/4 is probably the best lens Leica made by many measures but, the 280/2.8 is very close in performance and when stopped down one stop it is very close to the 280/4. And, it can be had for at least half of what the 280/4 sells for.

 

If, anyone can live with the size of the 280/2.8, I believe it is one of the Leica APO Telyt lenses that is "affordable" right now, available, and would let someone enjoy what Erwin Puts calls "stratospheric" performance.

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[naturephoto1]

I agree with all of your observations about the superb 280/4. There are trade-offs made in the 280/2.8 for a stop faster lens.

 

I guess that what amazes me is that the 280/4 is probably the best lens Leica made by many measures but, the 280/2.8 is very close in performance and when stopped down one stop it is very close to the 280/4. And, it can be had for at least half of what the 280/4 sells for.

 

If, anyone can live with the size of the 280/2.8, I believe it is one of the Leica APO Telyt lenses that is "affordable" right now, available, and would let someone enjoy what Erwin Puts calls "stratospheric" performance.

 

I will reserve judgement. My 280mm f2.8 Apo Telyt lens which I had since 1986 had Fungus that developed and was later removed by Leica Germany several years ago. They indicated that they did not think that it should have much or any impact on its performance. I have one of the now more expensive 280mm f4.0 Apo Telyt lenses on its way to me. I went this way instead of the 105-280mm zooms. I will try to make some comparisons in the performance between the 2 lenses, but at present I am only using a Lumix G1 digital camera. I hope to get either the Fujifilm X-E1 or X Pro1 cameras shortly but we are still waiting for the XE-1 kits and demos to come in to compare. This will probably be a stop point for me until I decide on either a new M or when another maker's FF Mirrorless camera comes out that will not require my changing my R mounts.

 

Rich