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

[jaapv]

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Ok, jaapv, I just got the 105-280 today at work. It is a very solid lens. I agree that the main drawback of the lens is that the focus ring is not as wide as the APO 280/4. But, I didn't find that the focus ring is not as smooth as the 280/4. My version of the 105-280 has a focus action that is as smooth as my 280/4.

 

Other than that, I'm at work so all I can tell about the lens is that this copy is near new. I'll get a chance to try out all three lenses at Christmas holiday in Vancouver B.C. and New Years at Whistler.

 

[ATTACH]349804[/ATTACH]

They are not very smooth. I sent mine to Solms with the complaint and got it back "Konstruktionsbedingt".

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[mmradman]

Ok, jaapv, I just got the 105-280 today at work. It is a very solid lens. I agree that the main drawback of the lens is that the focus ring is not as wide as the APO 280/4. But, I didn't find that the focus ring is not as smooth as the 280/4. My version of the 105-280 has a focus action that is as smooth as my 280/4.

 

Other than that, I'm at work so all I can tell about the lens is that this copy is near new. I'll get a chance to try out all three lenses at Christmas holiday in Vancouver B.C. and New Years at Whistler.

 

[ATTACH]349804[/ATTACH]

 

Very nice, congratulations :)

 

Two years ago i acquired the copy but sadly had to return it

 

On the outside it looked almost new but it was suffering from fungus infestation. Previous owner made a poor job of storing it, box, leather case and barrel had strong mouldy smell and internal glass elements had spider web of spores. Considering how few were made such neglect is criminal.

[naturephoto1]

Very nice, congratulations :)

 

Two years ago i acquired the copy but sadly had to return it

 

On the outside it looked almost new but it was suffering from fungus infestation. Previous owner made a poor job of storing it, box, leather case and barrel had strong mouldy smell and internal glass elements had spider web of spores. Considering how few were made such neglect is criminal.

 

I am not sure what to do. A couple of days ago I took receipt of one of the very expensive f4 280mm Apo Telyt lenses. It was marked as M for the glass which it is and the lens appears to be cosmetically in close to M- condition. I have run some preliminary tests and the lens appears to be performing exceptionally well on my Lumix G1 camera for digital tests.

 

The issue is that the paper work that came with the lens and the case definitely have a musty probably moldy/mildew odor like in my basement. The lens has a bit of odor to it that may be a little like that of the the case (which otherwise is in fine condition) but not nearly as strong. The glass all looks mint and very clean. I can see no problems inside on the optics when I view through the lens toward a light source. The focus of the lens is smooth and everything is as it should be, It is possible that the lens may have picked up a little of the smell being packed in the case being shipped from Poland.

 

So, what do you think, should I keep the lens or should I send it back to the seller?

 

Thanks.

 

Rich

[jaapv]

If it is mint with no trace of fungus I would air it thoroughly and then shine UV light through it for a few hours to kill off any spores. If you then care for it properly it should be fine. Alternately send it to Solms for a CLA.

[naturephoto1]

If it is mint with no trace of fungus I would air it thoroughly and then shine UV light through it for a few hours to kill off any spores. If you then care for it properly it should be fine.

 

Thanks for the input. I am unfamiliar with your recommendation. I would need to get a UV lamp to do that. I used to have one but I do not know where it is.

 

I would have to find a source for a UV lamp which is doable. Does it matter if it is long or short wave?

 

My home is air conditioned in the summer and warm weather and heat for colder temperatures. No humidifiers or dehumidifiers at this point. My equipment is normally stored in cases. Since moving here now 3 years ago I have not noticed any problems with my lenses as I am presently storing them.

 

2 lenses were just dropped at Leica USA (50mm and 25mm Summicrons due to haze). The 90mm was not due to some pitting being observed. But I have my "new" f2.8 Macro Apo Telyt to replace the lens.

 

In the past I have had fungus in a few lens which were cleaned out. The worst being my f2.8 280mm Apo Telyt which we do not know why this happened. Leica Germany removed it but the coatings have been damaged as a result. Leica Germany thought that there should be little or no loss in performance of this lens. But the value is been dropped tremendously. My digital testing on this lens shows still extremely high performance.

 

Thanks again.

 

Rich

[jaapv]

Strong sunlight should do the trick - these are lenses to hang on to.

[naturephoto1]

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Strong sunlight should do the trick

 

Thanks very much. Some people on Fred Miranda have also suggested placing the lens and the paper work and case in separate plastic containers with an open bottle of Sodium Bicarbonate to get rid of the musty smell. And to repeat with Sodium Bicarbonate until the smell is removed.

 

Rich

[Rick]

Mladen, sorry to hear about the mold and I agree that with only 1,500 made it is almost criminal to not take care of a lens like this. Reminds me of the saying, we don't own anything we are only just renting everything in life.

 

Richard, don't store your lenses back into those boxes and keep them away from everything. I was going to suggest the UV light as well + cross fingers.

 

Jaapv, are you sure you aren't thinking of the zoom action of this lens which is a little rough? My focus is smooth as silk.

 

By the way, reading these posts had me looking again at the optics of my Telyt's and smelling everything that came with them... all clear.

[mmradman]

I am not sure what to do. A couple of days ago I took receipt of one of the very expensive f4 280mm Apo Telyt lenses. It was marked as M for the glass which it is and the lens appears to be cosmetically in close to M- condition. I have run some preliminary tests and the lens appears to be performing exceptionally well on my Lumix G1 camera for digital tests.

 

The issue is that the paper work that came with the lens and the case definitely have a musty probably moldy/mildew odor like in my basement. The lens has a bit of odor to it that may be a little like that of the the case (which otherwise is in fine condition) but not nearly as strong. The glass all looks mint and very clean. I can see no problems inside on the optics when I view through the lens toward a light source. The focus of the lens is smooth and everything is as it should be, It is possible that the lens may have picked up a little of the smell being packed in the case being shipped from Poland.

 

So, what do you think, should I keep the lens or should I send it back to the seller?

 

Thanks.

 

Rich

 

Thanks for asking, I concur with everything said by Jaap & Rick.

 

Recently I got TO-R similar musty smell.

 

Optics was fine but i kept box and case in good daylight for several weeks. Further I used thyme, yes thyme the pizza spice, which is strong natural fungicide. Kept item in a bowl filled with thyme for a week, also used it to treat leather case, got rid of bad smell, actually everything is very tasty now.

[naturephoto1]

Thanks for asking, I concur with everything said by Jaap & Rick.

 

Recently I got TO-R similar musty smell.

 

Optics was fine but i kept box and case in good daylight for several weeks. Further I used thyme, yes thyme the pizza spice, which is strong natural fungicide. Kept item in a bowl filled with thyme for a week, also used it to treat leather case, got rid of bad smell, actually everything is very tasty now.

 

Thanks for the additional recommendations. I have contacted the seller about the issue. As a start, I will try to get an inexpensive Black Light (UV light). Also, probably next Tuesday I will run to New Jersey and to Leica USA/NA to check the lens for fungus and to go from there. After my visit to Leica I will go on to check the Fuji X-E1 for handling with my Leica R lenses with a Novoflex adapter at a well known New Jersey photo shop.

 

If Leica indicates Fungus and/or the work is required, I will probably just return the lens. If Leica gives the lens a clean bill of health, then I will continue my efforts to remedy the smell and to make sure that lens will not develop any fungus. If all else fails I will ship the lens back to the seller.

 

Rich

[mmradman]

Careful when mixing thyme or other loose substance with lenses.

 

TO-R is sealed unit so there is no risk of herb particles entering but high risk with rear of either R or M lens. You can still do it but keep rear cap on.

 

Musty smell is warning sign of poor storing in the past but it does not necessarily mean that lens is doomed. It is worth checking it out and keeping it stored in well ventilated and dry environment.

[michali]

I have both the APO 280mm f4 & the 105-280mm f4.2 Vario Elmar both of which I've converted with a Leitax mount for use on a Sony α 850.

 

I agree with Jaap the image quality is close and there's a lot to be said for the versatility of the 105-280mm. The APO 280mm however is an amazing lens and if for some reason I would have to hold on to only one of these lenses it would be the APO 280mm.

 

Both images below shot with the Sony α 850 hand held, the first image was on a moving boat with the 280mm f4.

 

APO 280mm f4

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105-280mm f4.2 Vario Elmar

[jaapv]

Mladen, sorry to hear about the mold and I agree that with only 1,500 made it is almost criminal to not take care of a lens like this. Reminds me of the saying, we don't own anything we are only just renting everything in life.

 

Richard, don't store your lenses back into those boxes and keep them away from everything. I was going to suggest the UV light as well + cross fingers.

 

Jaapv, are you sure you aren't thinking of the zoom action of this lens which is a little rough? My focus is smooth as silk.

 

By the way, reading these posts had me looking again at the optics of my Telyt's and smelling everything that came with them... all clear.

The zoom is indeed rough, the focus is a bit smoother on mine, but heavy, not even close to the lovely focussing of the 280/4.0 APO in my experience.

[k-hawinkler]

Mike,

 

Amazing shots.

How do you pull off the focus on the bird?

I find my APO 280/4 to have a very smooth and well damped focus throw but wish it were longer.

To get something really focused well seems to require a very delicate touch with minute adjustments.

[wildlightphoto]

Mike,

 

Amazing shots.

How do you pull off the focus on the bird?

 

I can't speak for others but I'm frequently shocked at how easy focusing the 280/4 is with the R8 viewfinder:

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[Rick]

Doug and Mike - wow wow wow!

[michali]

Mike,

 

Amazing shots.

How do you pull off the focus on the bird?

I find my APO 280/4 to have a very smooth and well damped focus throw but wish it were longer.

To get something really focused well seems to require a very delicate touch with minute adjustments.

 

Thanks KH- I normally set the aperture at about f5.6 & depending on the light maybe even f8, to obviously give myself some depth of field compensation in case the focus is off.

In this instance I panned with the birds while rolling the focus all the time and staying on the bird's eye. All manually done, exposure, focus etc.

 

I don't mean to be smug- but it's rather amusing to watch some guys with full auto-everything "machine gunning" and still not getting it right because their auto-focus is hunting the whole time and the exposure keeps changing.

They don't get it, even when I tell them to turn their cameras to manual, heaven forbid they should do that!

 

Here are a couple more no.1 with the APO 280mm.

No.2 & no.3 with the Vario Elmar 105-280mm. No.2 of the European Roller was shot in perfect light conditions late afternoon.

The last one was shot after sunset, once again proving that the 105-280mm is right up there.

All with the Sony Alpha 850.

 

APO 280mm f4

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Vario Elmar 105-280mm f4.2

 

Vario Elmar 105-280mm f4.2

[gravastar]

In the discussions about the f4 105-280mm lens which lens is being taked about, the Elmar-R 1:4.2 or the 1:4.5. Apart from aperture what are the differences between the two lenses.

 

Thanks, Bob.

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[robsteve]

In the discussions about the f4 105-280mm lens which lens is being taked about, the Elmar-R 1:4.2 or the 1:4.5. Apart from aperture what are the differences between the two lenses.

 

Thanks, Bob.

 

Bob:

 

I have tried pretty well all of the long Leica glass and with the exception of the 105-280mm, if it doesn't have APO or ASPH in the name, those seeking the highest performance will not be happy. The best of the lenses have been listed in the first page of this thread.

 

Erwin Puts' book is dead on for the description of a lot of these lenses, with the non APO lenses frequently described as good coarse detail, but never exceedingly fine detail. If you are using a new digital, you need good rendering of fine detail.

[robsteve]

Here is a 105-280mm shot on provia 100 film. This image is considered the best image of this ship, the Pride of Baltimore II. It was good enough that the US mint licensed it for possible use in a coin commemorating the war of 1812. I don't think it ever made it on a coin, but one of their engraver's needed it licensed in case her rendition based upon this photo of the ship was used.

 

This is just a straight scan of the slide, no digital manipulation. We went out by boat to meet the tall ships coming in and we were far enough offshore that they had all their sails up. Most dropped their sais when they reach the finish line a couple miles offshore. It was late in the day, providing the great light.

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