kuau Posted October 31, 2016 Share #1 Posted October 31, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can anyone comment on IQ when using the 80-200/f4 Vario Elmar-R on the SL I assume it can't touch what the new 90-280 can do. Steven 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 31, 2016 Posted October 31, 2016 Hi kuau, Take a look here 80-200/f4 Vario Elmar-R on SL. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
LocalHero1953 Posted October 31, 2016 Share #2 Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) I used the 80-200R for a few months until the 90-280SL arrived. I found nothing to complain about in comparing IQ between the two: nothing that I found noticeable in normal use. I tended to use both in low light for shooting music and dance events indoors, where controlling noise was the main aim. In terms of sharpness, colour and contrast I found no big difference. Far more important for me were the extra reach of the SL, the AF (and tracking), OIS, and wide-open composition, all of which made the choice a no brainer. So I suppose I should admit I didn't look hard enough at the IQ of the R, because the SL was so obviously a more useful lens. IQ isn't everything ! Edited October 31, 2016 by LocalHero1953 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuau Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) Thanks for the response. No question the 90-280 is an amazing lens and one day when I save up enough money I will purchase it. I'm still paying off my SL 24-90 kit... The 80-200/4 in question it doesn't have internal zoom? Edited October 31, 2016 by kuau Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted November 1, 2016 Share #4 Posted November 1, 2016 Yes. It zooms internally. I had one before my 90-280. It's a fine lens. It's not as contrasty and it doesn't have the *bite* modern lenses have. It's a bit like a Mandler lens on an M. Sharp but gentle. There's no doubt the newer lens has more resolution and contrast. That doesn't make the older lens bad. I actually preferred it to the modern FE Sony 70-200f4 I owned. Had the 90-280 not arrived I'd still be quite happy with the 80-200. Gordon Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephan_w Posted November 1, 2016 Share #5 Posted November 1, 2016 it's a very good lens but shows imho a terrible bokeh. Also I find it a bit flimsy to use. On the other hand it is way more compact than anything else in this range, and for the price a real bargain! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caissa Posted November 8, 2016 Share #6 Posted November 8, 2016 (edited) The SL 90-280 is apo corrected, the older lens not. That says it all. (See also MTF graphs). But more important than IQ is that the 90-280 offers OIS (and also noiseless AF). That helps in a crowd or in very windy conditions. (at the sea, or on a boat) So I do not compare the IQ of both. The 80-200 is excellent and versatile. And quite handy. The 90-280 is the best tele zoom I ever had - but that does not mean it will be the only one I will use. It depends on the occasion. (The 90-280 is Very Big). It is also an excellent portrait lens. (OIS, good bokeh) For using a tele lens the environment (humidity or dirt in the air) or the weather conditions are often much more important than a perfect lens. Edited November 8, 2016 by caissa Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 8, 2016 Share #7 Posted November 8, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) it's a very good lens but shows imho a terrible bokeh. Also I find it a bit flimsy to use. On the other hand it is way more compact than anything else in this range, and for the price a real bargain! Flimsy? You must have a very worn example. Mine feels like the solid chunk of metal and glass it is. Nor is it particularly compact. It is about twice the size and weight of my Olympus Zuiko 75-150. Are we talking about the same lens? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 8, 2016 Share #8 Posted November 8, 2016 Yes. It zooms internally. I had one before my 90-280. It's a fine lens. It's not as contrasty and it doesn't have the *bite* modern lenses have. It's a bit like a Mandler lens on an M. Sharp but gentle. There's no doubt the newer lens has more resolution and contrast. That doesn't make the older lens bad. I actually preferred it to the modern FE Sony 70-200f4 I owned. Had the 90-280 not arrived I'd still be quite happy with the 80-200. Gordon Most of these old lenses are less contrasty because of haze. Have them cleaned and they show real bite. Don't forget it is a cousin of the fabulous 70-180 2.8 APO. Puts :"stopped down it is as good a performer as its APO relative" And: "high overall contrast". High praise indeed Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted November 8, 2016 Share #9 Posted November 8, 2016 Flimsy? You must have a very worn example. Mine feels like the solid chunk of metal and glass it is. Indeed. It would be my weapon of choice to repel pickpockets. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted November 9, 2016 Share #10 Posted November 9, 2016 it's a very good lens but shows imho a terrible bokeh. Also I find it a bit flimsy to use. On the other hand it is way more compact than anything else in this range, and for the price a real bargain! My copy has good bokeh. 80-200 vario on M240 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! 6 Quote 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/266055-80-200f4-vario-elmar-r-on-sl/?do=findComment&comment=3145091'>More sharing options...
kuau Posted November 9, 2016 Author Share #11 Posted November 9, 2016 I just ordered my L-adaptor-R today and should have it in a few days. I have been looking for an 80-200/4 the prices seem to range from $USD 1000-1600 all with serial numbers 37xxx, 38xxx What should I be looking for besides the obvoius stuff, cosmetics, glass condition, etc. I do not have much experienece in purchaing older Leica glass. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 9, 2016 Share #12 Posted November 9, 2016 Not much specific usually, it is a solid, well-built lens. The focusing link can work loose, a fairly simple repair. Zoom and focus rings should feel well damped and smooth, certainly not loose, although it will shift its focus adjustment when carried vertically - that is normal. It is highly advisable to have the glass cleaned, even if it appears clear. Being a zoom lens, it will have pumped a haze in over the years., losing contrast. Add the cost of a CLA by a third-party repairer to the price in your mind. Pay attention that the glass is in good shape. Replacement lens elements are no longer available. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicaiste Posted November 9, 2016 Share #13 Posted November 9, 2016 (edited) I bought the 80-200/4 when it came out and after a year the second group of lenses get loose. After sending it back to Solms it was ok again, but I lost faith and switched to the 70-200/2,8. To be honest, the 80-200/4 was a much more convenient lens for travel. My Apo 180/2,8 and 90/2 where much more in use. Edited November 9, 2016 by Leicaiste 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 10, 2016 Share #14 Posted November 10, 2016 Another aspect: The 80-200 is brilliant with the 2X Apo-extender. These shots were taken wide open, with extender, @ 200 (AKA 400) mm. BTW.: Low contrast??? Bokeh problems??? 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! 8 Quote 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/266055-80-200f4-vario-elmar-r-on-sl/?do=findComment&comment=3145847'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 10, 2016 Share #15 Posted November 10, 2016 . 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! 6 Quote 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/266055-80-200f4-vario-elmar-r-on-sl/?do=findComment&comment=3145848'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 10, 2016 Share #16 Posted November 10, 2016 . 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! 5 Quote 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/266055-80-200f4-vario-elmar-r-on-sl/?do=findComment&comment=3145849'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 10, 2016 Share #17 Posted November 10, 2016 . 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! 6 Quote 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/266055-80-200f4-vario-elmar-r-on-sl/?do=findComment&comment=3145852'>More sharing options...
kuau Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted November 10, 2016 Wow those look really nice. Now comes the hard part of finding a good copy of the lens Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erudolph Posted November 10, 2016 Share #19 Posted November 10, 2016 A couple more with the same rig, 800-200/f4 Vario-Elmar-R plus 2x APO-extender on a Type 240 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Per P. Posted November 10, 2016 Share #20 Posted November 10, 2016 Until now I only took a few shots after I bought the lens for my very new SL. First impression is that this is a brillant lens - especially for the relatively infrequent use that I predict for my type of photography. Btw I assume that a (2x) Extender would also need to be ROM coded? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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