Angora Posted November 1, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 1, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello fellow R users, I'm a facing a little dilemma and decided to count on your experiences to make a decision, if you don't mind. Basically, I am looking for a mid-range tele lens to use in small valleys especially. But I'm living in a big city and remain there most of times, though... So I came across two classifieds selling these lenses at quite a good price. Here's my current state of reflection: APO 280/4 Pros : legendary quality, APO will help for difficult lighting conditions I guess. A bit lighter than the VE. Slightly brighter than the VE (well, it's more of an anecdote at this point). Cons : fixed focal (280mm isn't that versatile in a city, huh?). VE 105-280 Pros : good reputation albeit less praised that the 280/4. More versatile. 500€ cheaper. Cons : heavy zoom, tripod required. Not APO. Price isn't that important (I prefer to wait a bit more if that helps), and I will use either lens on my tripod anyway. Also, I am especially careful on vignetting... and on this point, the VE seems to be better! (VE charts available here, and 280/4 charts here) That sounds surprising since fixed focals are usually more optimised... Finally, my longest lens at present is a Lux 80. I consider buying an Apo-Extender later; even though not on par with the 90AA or 180 Apo (), results should be acceptable. And the gap problem posed by the 280/4 would be eased. Still, I'm unsure about all this... Do you think the quality of the fixed 280/4 (vignetting wise, especially) is worth giving up the versatility of a zoom, for the city person that I am? Maybe the zoom feature of the VE is more psychological than practical after all, since I will have to use a complex setup with a tripod? Any hint will be appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 Hi Angora, Take a look here VE 105-280 or APO 280/4?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
topoxforddoc Posted November 1, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 1, 2009 Angora, Just buy the 280/4 APO! It is truly stunning. I wouldn't sell mine, period. Of all my R lenses, my 280/4 and 180/2 would be the last ones to go. I don't have the 105-280, but it is not a lens I'm interested in - too heavy and I prefer fixed focal lengths. If you want a filler lens in between, buy the 80-200/4 ROM too. It's cheap as chips at the moment and is almost as good as the stellar 70-180/2.8 APO. The 280/4 APO hardly ever comes up for sale, so I'd snap it up now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 1, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 1, 2009 I doubt if those vignetting stats mean much. The 280/4 is in such demand that used examples seldom make dealers' stock lists - grab it while you can. It is one of the finest (some would say THE finest) Leica R lenses ever made. The zoom is not bad either! Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted November 2, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 2, 2009 DO NOT BUY THE 280mm f/4 APO* It's the crack cocaine of optics. * and tell me who's selling it. I want a backup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 2, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 2, 2009 DO NOT BUY THE 280mm f/4 APO*It's the crack cocaine of optics. * and tell me who's selling it. I want a backup. I'll sell you mine Doug for $12000 ... But joking apart, I have not seen one on sale in UK for over two years! Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angora Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted November 4, 2009 Thanks for your inputs guys, it seems there's really no match for the 280 I'll save up some more money then, and try to get it ASAP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted November 4, 2009 Share #7 Posted November 4, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) My 280/4 will be in my coffin with me. If you do get a chance to buy one, but haven't the money, then beg, borrow, or rob, but buy it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 4, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 4, 2009 Why should a tripod be required for the 105-280:confused: I always use it handheld. Imo the versatility of the lens far outweighs the marginal difference in quality to the 280/4.0. I sold mine to get the zoom because I often shoot from fixed locations. The only time I regret the swop is when I need real long teach. That means stacking the 1.4x apo and 2x apo extenders, and then the fixed lens is clearly better. Anyway, in almost any circumstances it is very hard to tell the difference in quality, mostly image degradation comes from moving air or dust in the air, etc. The weight difference between the lenses is not that big anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angora Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted November 5, 2009 My 280/4 will be in my coffin with me. If you do get a chance to buy one, but haven't the money, then beg, borrow, or rob, but buy it. That's pretty straightforward Why should a tripod be required for the 105-280:confused: I always use it handheld. Imo the versatility of the lens far outweighs the marginal difference in quality to the 280/4.0. I sold mine to get the zoom because I often shoot from fixed locations. The only time I regret the swop is when I need real long teach. That means stacking the 1.4x apo and 2x apo extenders, and then the fixed lens is clearly better. Anyway, in almost any circumstances it is very hard to tell the difference in quality, mostly image degradation comes from moving air or dust in the air, etc. The weight difference between the lenses is not that big anyway. Hello Jaap, during my researches I stumbled upon pictures you took with the VE: hats off! I had an Angénieux 70-210 for some time, and while it was very light I still had to be cautious (movements-wise) while holding it at 210. So even though I may well be younger than you, I don't imagine myself holding such a heavy zoom for a long time, especially on the longer end My beloved tiny R6.2 wouldn't help balancing the combination, either. That's why I concluded that I would only use it on a tripod. As I'll find myself mostly in an urban environment, mobility wouldn't be too much of an issue; and getting an Apo-Ext for the 80 (and 280 occasionally) will hopefully help. If by the time I gather the money the 280 is gone, I'll turn to the VE without too much regrets Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted November 6, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 6, 2009 I actually have a 4/280 and is kind of considering what to do with it now that there is no R10. I also remember Jaap using his 105-280 at the Forum Meeting last year, obtaining first rate results. Probably says more about the user than the lens, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted November 6, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 6, 2009 I actually have a 4/280 and is kind of considering what to do with it now that there is no R10. Sell it Doug Herr as a backup! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 6, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 6, 2009 Thanks for the kind words, guys . Actually, at least with the DMR/R9 the VE is quite well balanced and handholdable. The main problem is schlepping the combo around in a backpack. You'll find another VE shot here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/104749-masai-mara.html ,btw, handheld after a long day of shooting with the combo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted November 6, 2009 Share #13 Posted November 6, 2009 Sell it Doug Herr as a backup! Only problem is my cash flow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angora Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted November 20, 2009 Hi chaps, I was fortunate enough not to have to beg, borrow or rob to get the 280 today! The store where I bought it was selling both the 280/4 and the 280/2.8 (non-modular)... at the same price Good surprise regarding the length of the lens, shorter than expected. But not lighter (hefty as Doug puts it on his website) According to the serial numbers databases, mine is one of the first batches from 1993; and indeed, there is neither ROM nor red "Leica" patch on the side near the focus ring. In case I have some money left and if it proves useful, I may send it to Wetzlar once the recently announced digital solution for R user comes out... Don't have any lens plate yet, but I'll quickly test the Apo-Telyt tomorrow (my muscles are already painful). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted November 20, 2009 Share #15 Posted November 20, 2009 Better send it to SOLMS. Otherwise it might get lost in the Hausertorwerk, one of the former LEITZ- buildings of Wetzlar. Enjoy your lens, great stuff ! Best GEORG ____________________ PS: Sorry, you seem to be ahead of times. Dreaming of the new LEICA- Park., Wetzlar. Might come true soon ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted November 20, 2009 Share #16 Posted November 20, 2009 Hi chaps, I was fortunate enough not to have to beg, borrow or rob to get the 280 today! The store where I bought it was selling both the 280/4 and the 280/2.8 (non-modular)... at the same price Good surprise regarding the length of the lens, shorter than expected. But not lighter (hefty as Doug puts it on his website) According to the serial numbers databases, mine is one of the first batches from 1993; and indeed, there is neither ROM nor red "Leica" patch on the side near the focus ring. In case I have some money left and if it proves useful, I may send it to Wetzlar once the recently announced digital solution for R user comes out... Don't have any lens plate yet, but I'll quickly test the Apo-Telyt tomorrow (my muscles are already painful). Enjoy! One thing to remember, never carry the camera/lens combination by the camera neck strap - always put a strap on the lens eyelets. (The weight of the lens is enough to strain the mount if you let it hang from the camera.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angora Posted November 22, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted November 22, 2009 [...] PS: Sorry, you seem to be ahead of times. Dreaming of the new LEICA- Park., Wetzlar. Might come true soon ... Indeed Georg, I thought that by the time of the announcement & availability of the solution, the Leitzpark would have been completed (I don't know whether I should laugh or cry, though...) Enjoy! One thing to remember, never carry the camera/lens combination by the camera neck strap - always put a strap on the lens eyelets. (The weight of the lens is enough to strain the mount if you let it hang from the camera.) Thank you for your advice, John; I am thinking of getting some strap for the 280. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMK Posted November 22, 2009 Share #18 Posted November 22, 2009 I. M. H. Opinion, also, the finest R lens out there. I used the other lens once, and was impressed with the mechanical build, but not the optics/bokeh. The 280 is unsurpassed in capturing detail in the context of the "intimate landscape" John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted November 22, 2009 Share #19 Posted November 22, 2009 I was actually interested in the 105-280 after having seen what JAAP made out of it in Africa. Now I want both the 105-280 and the 280/4. I guess that is the answer anyways. To have both. And then to have a backup of each. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 22, 2009 Share #20 Posted November 22, 2009 Irrespective of published MTF data has anyone any experience/opinions of the 350/4.8 Telyt R? These do not appear for sale very often but when they do some dealers seem to hike up the price rather too much. However, there is one advertised currently in UK at what appears to be a very reasonable price. Is the lens scarce because of low volume manufacture or because owners do not wish to part with them? Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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