wlaidlaw Posted March 18, 2014 Share #21 Posted March 18, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) You have to hang the Vario Sonnar pointing completely downwards and give it a shake to get it to slide down all by itself. I have never found it altering the focal length when I am actually using it. It has taken my brain a bit of time to get round the reverse action of the zoom when fully extended is 28mm and fully closed is 85mm. It actually works so well on the M240 that I am thinking about getting the equally good but considerably smaller 35-70mm Vario Sonnar. The 28-70 is to be avoided. This was a cheapo made as a kit lens to go with the cut price Contax Aria SLR camera and although an adequate performer at the wide end, deteriorates considerably as you zoom out. I was going to replace my Leica 80-200 Vario Elmar with the Vario Sonnar 100-300 but I have decided at those long focal lengths, auto focus, which I dislike for shorter lenses, is the answer. I have therefore bought a 75-300 for my Olympus EP-5 (150-600 EFOV), which with the latest firmware, works surprisingly well, albeit it is a bit slow (f4.8 to f6.7) Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Hi wlaidlaw, Take a look here My new M-Vario. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ayewing Posted March 18, 2014 Share #22 Posted March 18, 2014 I was going to replace my Leica 80-200 Vario Elmar with the Vario Sonnar 100-300 but I have decided at those long focal lengths, auto focus, which I dislike for shorter lenses, is the answer. I have therefore bought a 75-300 for my Olympus EP-5 (150-600 EFOV), which with the latest firmware, works surprisingly well, albeit it is a bit slow (f4.8 to f6.7) Wilson While I enjoy using long FL visoflex lenses and have tried the Vario Sonnars I must admit that due to the weight and lack of image stabilisation I find that I prefer to use a tripod. For travel and hand held wildlife photography I agree that perhaps a Leica is not the best tool. On my recent trip to Australia I found my Olympus OM-D E-M1 with the 75-300 was very effective allowing hand held shots at 600mm EFOV. The slowness of the lens was mitigated by the bright Australian summer sun, the high ISO abilities of the camera and effective image stabilisation. Of course my long Visoflex lenses work quite nicely on the OM-D and benefit from effective doubling of FL, magnification and image stabilisation but it does not make then any smaller or lighter! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 18, 2014 Share #23 Posted March 18, 2014 Archie, I was trying to use a Zeiss 1200mm lens on the M240 a couple of days ago. Not only did I have to use my huge old Manfrotto 074B tripod but it had to be on a solid (i.e. not wooden) floor or I was getting enough vibration to blur the picture. I gave up in the end and used my Oly EP-5, where the IS did the trick. When I was in India last month, I took my 80-200 Vario Elmar-R but again, ended up using it on the EP-5 much more than on the M240. I got the shot below at 200mm from a vibrating boat, when seated in an awkward position, where the safety rail was exactly at eye height, so you either had to half stand up or crouch down in your seat. I think it would have been totally blurred with the M240. The 75-300 M-Zuiko II would have been the answer and would have been even sharper, as I am not convinced I have hit the focus 100% (it was getting quite dark) but I had not bought it at that point. It has actually failed after a couple of days and gone back to the retailer for replacement, so you see, it is not only Leica that makes duff lenses from new Wilson 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/223328-my-new-m-vario/?do=findComment&comment=2552067'>More sharing options...
ayewing Posted March 18, 2014 Share #24 Posted March 18, 2014 Wilson, Nice picture of the elephant. Image stabilisation does make a big difference. I wonder if Leica will ever incorporate it in a future version of the M series. Perhaps more likely in the mysterious new camera due to be announced in April. Bad luck with the 75-300 lens. I bought mine 2 years ago so it is the Mark1 version. The new version is a little smaller and lighter I think. I did consider upgrading but as I am happy with the lens I have I am in no hurry. My lens was made in Japan. Where are the new ones made? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2014 Share #25 Posted March 18, 2014 ... Are you sure that all intermediate focal length of the zoom lens will be needed? Otherwise, the optical similar combination of M8.2 and cropped MATE 4.0-28-35-50mm would be handier for somewhat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 18, 2014 Share #26 Posted March 18, 2014 Are you sure that all intermediate focal length of the zoom lens will be needed?Otherwise, the optical similar combination of M8.2 and cropped MATE 4.0-28-35-50mm would be handier for somewhat. My 28-85 Vario Sonnar is noticeably sharper and higher contrast than my MATE at 28mm. It also goes out to 85mm, which is often an advantage. I have not used the MATE once on my M240 since getting the Vario Sonnar and only occasionally on my M9. If only the V-S wasn’t quite so big and heavy but TANSTAAFL. It is no heavier than the Leica Vario Elmarit R 28-90. Of course there is nothing to stop Leica bringing out a 28-90/f4 zoom RF but non-coupled lens, which could be considerably smaller. Think how small the Zeiss Vario Sonnar-G 35-70 was. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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