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Well, for a 35 mm sensor to reach the theoretical limit of 450 LP/mm it would need to be 660 MP. Cat will have plenty of time left to complain about lack of resolution :p

 

 

Hahah, indeed. And that is only for a monochrome sensor, and without PSF software correction.

 

Imaging carrying only a light 50mm, crop a 24MP image out of the 660 MP sensor, and have more reach than the huge and heavy lens in the subject on the SL.

This is the future.

Edited by CheshireCat
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I suspect the new SL 90-280 will not be any better than these lenses I mentioned.  These R-lenses are for the most part defraction limited, so it would be difficult to do much better than that.  

 

 

 

 

I own the 280 f4, and it is a stunning lens. The build quality alone will be hard to beat, but the sharpness is just amazing. That being said, it was designed 20 years ago...im sure Leica has learned a few tricks since this lens was conceived especially in regards to sensors...not to mention AF. AF alone is a huge upgrade. Sadly I'm selling my 280mm to fund the newer 90-280. I will miss the 280 :(

Edited by digitalfx
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I own the 280 f4, and it is a stunning lens. The build quality alone will be hard to beat, but the sharpness is just amazing. That being said, it was designed 20 years ago...im sure Leica has learned a few tricks since this lens was conceived especially in regards to sensors...not to mention AF. AF alone is a huge upgrade. Sadly I'm selling my 280mm to fund the newer 90-280. I will miss the 280 :(

 

 

Tricks learned include less costly & easier to manufacture.  I would be surprised if anything made in the last 20 years surpasses the optical performance of the 280/4 APO.

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I own the 280 f4, and it is a stunning lens. The build quality alone will be hard to beat, but the sharpness is just amazing. That being said, it was designed 20 years ago...im sure Leica has learned a few tricks since this lens was conceived especially in regards to sensors...not to mention AF. AF alone is a huge upgrade. Sadly I'm selling my 280mm to fund the newer 90-280. I will miss the 280 :(

No new tricks in the basic laws of physics... The wavelength of light has not changed for quite a while. ;)

The 90-280 APO will be a marvelous lens, but I doubt whether it will match the optical quality of the 280/4.0 APO fully. It would be triple the price if it did.

However, I am quite sure that the difference will not show in actual photography.

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I'm keeping my 7 element 280/4 R until such time as Leica release an SL extender - only then might I decide to swap it for a 23 element 90-280 SL - and only if the results both with, and without, an SL extender, are comparable to those from the 280/4 R with its APO R extenders. Currently, the 90-280 SL is an unknown quantity and anyone rushing to swap their 280/4R should maybe wait and see just how it compares at all apertures. 

 

I'd also like to see how results from the 90-280 SL compare when used on both the SL and T - e.g. ascertain how a cropped image from the SL compares with the same image taken using the Leica T.  

 

And if Leica do release an SL extender (7 elements?), consider that the total lens element count with the 90-280 SL combination could rise to 30! 

 

However, given that Leica have not released an extender for the S, why should they release an extender(s) for the SL? 

 

The 280/4R and its APO extenders is a hard act to follow! 

 

dunk 

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I'm keeping my 7 element 280/4 R until such time as Leica release an SL extender - only then might I decide to swap it for a 23 element 90-280 SL - and only if the results both with, and without, an SL extender, are comparable to those from the 280/4 R with its APO R extenders. Currently, the 90-280 SL is an unknown quantity and anyone rushing to swap their 280/4R should maybe wait and see just how it compares at all apertures. 

 

...

 

And if Leica do release an SL extender (7 elements?), consider that the total lens element count with the 90-280 SL combination could rise to 30! 

 

23 elements (or 30 with a hypothetical extender) bothers me but it may be that the last 20 years' advances in coating technology will counteract the flare-inducing tendencies of all those air/glass surfaces.  Add this to dual AF motors and OIS and I can't help thinking of Mr. Murphy and his law.

 

The proof will be in the pictures but the brilliant performance of the 280/4 APO will be a tough act to follow.

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Currently, the 90-280 SL is an unknown quantity and anyone rushing to swap their 280/4R should maybe wait and see just how it compares at all apertures.

 

 

 

Unless you value an AF lens on an AF body and the addition of the added focal lengths. Personally Im upgrading for these very reasons and based on my experience with the 24-90 AF zoom. I expect the new 90-280 will be of equal quality to the first zoom...which is stellar.

Edited by digitalfx
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Stephan -  Not sure what you mean by ugly... bokeh or what?  I found the 105-280 an excellent lens and extremely versatile.  Not much difference between photos from it and the 280/4 APO or the big 280/2.8 APO.  Leica didn't make too many of the 105-280 so, they are hard to find and they are still expensive.

 

I suspect the new SL 90-280 will not be any better than these lenses I mentioned.  These R-lenses are for the most part defraction limited, so it would be difficult to do much better than that.  

 

I assume the new new SL zoom is going to be fantastic.  Great times to be a Leica shooter.

 

Rick

 

 

Hi Rick,

 

I then (nineties) liiked the 2.8/280 better than the 105-280, so I bought that, mainly because of the wider aperture which meant a lot with film. I never had it for in depth tests, so it was just the feeling with a camera, shooting with it. How well balanced it is, how easy to focus, or not. I was not talking about the optical quality, I could not test it thouroughly in the shop.

But as mentioned the 250 is even better (to hold and use, not optically) and the 350 is also nice (but with not enough contrast).

 

In hindsight, regarding only the monetary value (on ebay), it was the wrong decision - getting lazier with age, maybe also because of the weight. The change from film to digital sensors has somehow inverted the value of these lenses. That helped me to get the 250 and 350 for a tiny fraction of the new price. Maybe I should even consider buying a 400 or 560 or the 500 mirror lens, but they are often even older then I am ...

 

But the good thing is, the new 90-280 is filling this gap (that did not exist). And as I don't have the 105-280, I do not have to feel guilty to buy a "doublette". Because I usually avoid to sell old gear at any price. (I actually never sold a lens or camera). (Is this GAS ?)

 

Stephan

 

It can have many advantages if the old R-lenses are not so highly regarded anymore ... (no "asph" betweeen them   ;) )

And they work gorgeously with the SL!

 

I notice only now, sorry, if this was too far off topic!

Edited by steppenw0lf
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I'm keeping my 7 element 280/4 R until such time as Leica release an SL extender - only then might I decide to swap it for a 23 element 90-280 SL - and only if the results both with, and without, an SL extender, are comparable to those from the 280/4 R with its APO R extenders. Currently, the 90-280 SL is an unknown quantity and anyone rushing to swap their 280/4R should maybe wait and see just how it compares at all apertures. 

 

I'd also like to see how results from the 90-280 SL compare when used on both the SL and T - e.g. ascertain how a cropped image from the SL compares with the same image taken using the Leica T.  

 

And if Leica do release an SL extender (7 elements?), consider that the total lens element count with the 90-280 SL combination could rise to 30! 

 

However, given that Leica have not released an extender for the S, why should they release an extender(s) for the SL? 

 

The 280/4R and its APO extenders is a hard act to follow! 

 

dunk 

 

 

I can fully understand you. If I had had a lot of success with a certain lens I would also be very careful (not) to sell it.

But I would not even consider selling it.

 

The "wisest" method would be to keep the old one and buy or rent or lease (or whatever way you prefer) the new one and test them at least for one or two seasons next to each other. You do not need to take them on each excursion, but at least you could have them both at hand in the car and switch according to mood or any other better reason. If the old lens is excellent it will not lose value in the meantime, usually it will go up in value even more. So you cannot loose anything by waiting to sell.

 

I always wonder why people speak of swapping a dear or valuable lens. This involves an uncertainty or risk I would never lightheartedly take.

And life brings many changes (who of the people not involved with it, would have foreseen the SL, only a year ago), so it is even possible that a lens currently not very useful anymore to you, suddenly coiuld find a new usage.

 

And no, it is not GAS if you do not swap lenses.  ^_^

 

Stephan

Edited by steppenw0lf
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Remarkable:  EBay shows prices for 280/4 not much below the price of new 90 - 280.  Will hopefully be able to fondle and try the 90 - 280 (have an option on first delivery) this week.  Curious how it handles and what the output quality will be.

Edited by larsv
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