Best R Lenses

[robert_parker]

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Great zoom lens, near-APO! The 350mm, f4.8 Telyt is also a great lens; not many seem to know it, but I love it with the shoulder (gun) grip and the (electronic) cable release on my R9.

 

Interestingly there are a number of long R lenses designed to be used with a shoulder stock or a gun grip, which could now come back into their own with the new, comparitively lightweight M attached.

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[rsh]

In all honesty, I believe that the following R lenses will become really scarce over the next few months:

 

19 Elmarit - 2nd Version - Already Scarce

28 Elmarit - 2nd Version - Already Scarce

35 Summilux - Already Scarce

50 Summilux - Current & Last Version - Already Scarce

80 Summilux - Already Scarce

100 Apo Macro - will become scarce

180 Apo Elmarit - Already Scarce

280 Apo Telyt - Already Scarce

21-35 Vario Elmar - will become scarce

28-90 Vario Elmar - will become scarce

80-200 f4 Vario Elmar - Already scarce

70-180 Apo Elmarit - more available due to high prices and size

105-280- Vario Elmar - Already Scarce

60 Macro Elmarit - Reasonable Availability in the near term

1.4 and 2x Apo Extenders - Cannot predict

 

I cannot predict how the older R lenses will do, but I feel they will become scarce after the above lenses have almost disappeared.

 

Most of you will probably say DUH! after reading this.

[masjah]

Robert, yes, the problem with the 35-70/2.8 is of course its cult collector's status, which means that its price is way above any sensible going rate for such a lens as one simply to be used (no matter how good it is). Much better from that point of view is the latest 28-90 zoom, which is an excellent performer.

 

The stars for me (from direct experience) at the longer end are the 90/2 APO Asph, the 100/2.8 Macro, 180/2.8 APO and 280/4 APO.

 

You then have to ask the question about whether you are an R user with an existing complement of standard and wide lenses already, or whether you've already also got a complement of M lenses to cover the standard and wide end of things. If not the latter, then the 21-35 zoom is a really good performer (better than some of the R primes IMHO). Otherwise, just for example, I don't see the point of a relatively huge 35 Summilux R + R/M adapter given the quality of the latest 35/1.4 M version on an M camera. The one R wide lens which cannot be replicated as an M lens is of course the 28/2.8 PC.

[mmradman]

There is one APO Elmarit 180mm for sale - London dealer at WC1A 2JR (business not most popular on LUF)

[masjah]

There is one APO Elmarit 180mm for sale - London dealer at WC1A 2JR (business not most popular on LUF)

 

Mladen, I think that it's no longer available. (They put a flag to say "out of stock" as distinct from "add to cart" before they finally get round to removing the whole entry from their listing! A bit annoying.)

[Paul J]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. Given me alot of homework researching them.

 

I'm rather liking the 35-70 f2.8 Vario Elmarit. Not sure I will like the price!

[Larcomb]

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Thanks to everyone for your responses. Given me alot of homework researching them.

 

I'm rather liking the 35-70 f2.8 Vario Elmarit. Not sure I will like the price!

 

The 180mm Elmar is a splendid lens, unjustly neglected.

[mmradman]

Mladen, I think that it's no longer available. (They put a flag to say "out of stock" as distinct from "add to cart" before they finally get round to removing the whole entry from their listing! A bit annoying.)

 

Scramble for top R lenses is on

[Larcomb]

Scramble for top R lenses is on

 

I hardly think so.

[andybarton]

I hardly think so.

 

You'd be wrong. They've been going to Canon users for a while. My dealer has been picking them up for months now.

[Larcomb]

You'd be wrong. They've been going to Canon users for a while. My dealer has been picking them up for months now.

 

 

Correct, but you misunderstood what I said. I don't think the Leica rangefinder M will cause a 'scramble for R lenses'. They have been in demand all along, by Canon owners and R body owners, who far outnumber potential M owners. The increase in demand, if any, will be miniscule.

[farnz]

I was able to find a Vario-Elmar R 80-20 f/4, which is supported in the new M's menu. Do any of the R afficianados here have experience with it? It does strike me as an ideal complement to my M lenses.

Assuming you mean the Vario Elmar 80-200/4:) it's a very good zoom lens and much better than its 70-210/4, 75-200/4.5, and 80-200/4.5 sisters that were made for Leica by Minolta. The 80-200/4 has 12 elements in 8 groups and is 'closely related to the superb 70-180/2.8 APO-Vario-Elmarit-R' according to Hove; low 2% barrel distortion at the short end and equally low 2% pincushion at the long end. The image is sharp across the frame at the short end with minimal softness developing at the edges towards the long end and the lens is (perhaps predictably) best around the middle focal lengths between about 100 and 150 mm.

 

In use, it smoothly focusses from 1.1 metres to infinity with a 180 degree throw, which allows fine focus adjustment, it zooms from 80 to 200 in a 45 degree throw, which assists rapid zooming, and the aperture (half) stops are solid and sturdy. The built-in hood is useful, the build quality is nothing short of superb, the front element and filter thread don't rotate during focussing or zooming, which helps with graduated neutral density filters, and perhaps my only criticism is the lack of a tripod bush for this heavy (1kg) lens. I often use it with a 2x APO convertor and it produces excellent results.

 

I believe that this lens offers exceptional value for money at the moment.

 

Pete.

[hamey]

Once again I can only echo what Pete and Doug have stated.

 

An image of the 80-200 attached to the STA-1, I also recommend a step up ring from 60 to 62mm as

it's easier to find filters etc as 60mm is an unusual size.

This shot was taken with the Canon and the 28-90mm, another superb Leica lens.

 

What I have noticed is that I am getting excellent results with the 21-35, 28-90 and the 80-200mm on

Digital so what looks to me these Lenses are perfect for Digital imaging.

Cannot wait to try on a FF Leica M.

 

Ken.

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[farnz]

... it zooms from 80 to 200 in a 45 degree throw, which assists rapid zooming, ...

Correction: 90 degree throw.

 

Pete.

[hamey]

Another shot from the front, attached is the 62mm step up ring and the Pro- master lens cap.

If I loose the 60mm Leica lens cap, It wouldn't be easy to replace, so I keep it home.

 

These shots taken all hand held.

 

Ken

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[JWW]

The built-in hood is useful, the build quality is nothing short of superb, the front element and filter thread don't rotate during focussing or zooming, which helps with graduated neutral density filters, and perhaps my only criticism is the lack of a tripod bush for this heavy (1kg) lens. I often use it with a 2x APO convertor and it produces excellent results.

 

I believe that this lens offers exceptional value for money at the moment.

 

Pete.

 

I'm glad to hear that about the APO 2x. I just ordered a 2x APO from Keh that was (semi) reasonable in price (compared to all the ebay ones). That should go good with the 80-200/4 that I already had ordered. That should form the long end of my lens needs for the M since I already have the 90mm and shorter M lenses. I believe the new R to M adapter has it's own removable tripod mount so that should solve the tripod attachment issues.

[rsh]

Not certain there is a difference in image quality between the earlier 180 Apo Elmarit and the second version modified to accept the 1.4 extender, but I do not think so. I believe that Leica will still modify the earlier version if you wish to use the 1.4 Apo Extender.

[masjah]

Not certain there is a difference in image quality between the earlier 180 Apo Elmarit and the second version modified to accept the 1.4 extender, but I do not think so. I believe that Leica will still modify the earlier version if you wish to use the 1.4 Apo Extender.

 

Richard, I am sure this is correct; I have a recollection of Leica stating at the time of its introduction that the optical performance following the modification was identical.

[gravastar]

Assuming you mean the Vario Elmar 80-200/4:) it's a very good zoom lens and much better than its 70-210/4, 75-200/4.5, and 80-200/4.5 sisters that were made for Leica by Minolta. The 80-200/4 has 12 elements in 8 groups and is 'closely related to the superb 70-180/2.8 APO-Vario-Elmarit-R' according to Hove.......

This can get confusing for would be purchasers. I have a Vario-Elmar-R 1:4/80-200 (not f4.5) which is engraved underneath near the aperture ring "Designed by Leica Camera Mfd. in Japan" This lens I believe is manufactured by Kyocera. In use its very convenient and handles well.

 

Bob.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[andy.we]

Dont worry. When the Leica M is on the market, people will recognize that the non APO-Leica-R Lenses will performe not as good as expected on this Camera. Then prices will again be as low as some years ago after discontinuiation of the R-System.