Silver Fresco Posted May 8, 2018 Share #1 Posted May 8, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have this rare opportunity to purchase this "legendary" Leica lens. If no takers, they will convert to a cinema lens. I would like to save this lens from being cannibalized to a RED cinema camera lens. Should I get it or not? Can anyone share their experience with this lens? If you don't think I should get it, please explain why. It has been elusive, but I feel the time is right to bite! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 8, 2018 Posted May 8, 2018 Hi Silver Fresco, Take a look here 35-70 f2.8 R lens. Your opinion?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Steve McGarrett Posted May 8, 2018 Share #2 Posted May 8, 2018 If you can afford it, I'd say buy it... such a shame to cannibalize a gem like that! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted May 8, 2018 Share #3 Posted May 8, 2018 (edited) What I don't understand is why anyone should want to buy this to convert to a ciné lens. It has a cult collector's value way beyond its utilitarian use value. When I've seen them on sale I think they've been in the region of £5k (if my memory serves me right). A more modern 28-90 zoom is much more reasonably priced, and is actually more useful as an actual R lens. If you've got the cash to pay for a collector's item, and if you're a collector, then I suppose you could go for it. But then if you actually use it, there would always be a risk of devaluation simply with the usual knocks and scrapes of use. Edited May 8, 2018 by masjah Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted May 12, 2018 Share #4 Posted May 12, 2018 If the Leica lens is par focal (focus point remains the same at wide and tele focal lengths), then you could use it for film/video). You also need to take the click stops out by removing the ball bearing in the diaphragm assembly. This is easy to do. You could probably get an R to Red adapter made, so, you don't have to hack the back of the lens off. However, if I had my choice, I would use a Zeiss, Cooke or Angenieux (30mm to 90mm zoom range) lens. They are par focal and they take all the zoom and focus attachments you need for heavy production. I have used Leica R zoom lenses (70-180, 21-35, 35-70, and 80-200) for film/vid production. They are optically just fine, but not all of them are par focal. They do not take all the accessories needed for full-on production. The R zooms are fine for small Sony, Panasonic GH, or Canon cameras. But If you are going to work quickly and accurately on productions that use a Red camera, I would try and get a real cine lens. Ciao, Sully 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted May 12, 2018 Share #5 Posted May 12, 2018 -What I don't understand is why anyone should want to buy this to convert to a ciné lens. -It has a cult collector's value way beyond its utilitarian use value. -When I've seen them on sale I think they've been in the region of £5k (if my memory serves me right). -IIRC, it demonstrates no focus breathing. -Collectors value? Yes, about 200 were ever made. However it exceeds in performance all fixed R lenses at their respective focal length and ƒ-stop by a wide-margin -Last time I saw one sold earlier in the year, asking price ~$14k. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted May 12, 2018 Share #6 Posted May 12, 2018 James, that is interesting; I'd not encountered the term focus breathing before for this phenomenon. Strangely enough, I have a vague recollection of someone (a long time ago - maybe even on the "old" forum) complaining of exactly this with regard to the 35-70/2.8 R! My recollection may well be faulty though. At least one Forum member has also complained that his sample of the 21-35 R zoom does this too, though my own copy seems OK. My own 28-90 R zoom also does this to a small degree, so I guess that I will have to take back my earlier post suggesting that it might be a more cost-effective lens for ciné conversion. Having said that, $14k for a lens that is to be actually used is even more ridiculous that I first thought. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted May 12, 2018 Share #7 Posted May 12, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Having said that, $14k for a lens that is to be actually used is even more ridiculous that I first thought. In the recent Westlicht auction, someone purchased a red M262 + red 50 APO for something like $50k, before the auctioner's premium. Lots of people out there with more money than good sense. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted May 17, 2018 Share #8 Posted May 17, 2018 (edited) I have this rare opportunity to purchase this "legendary" Leica lens. If no takers, they will convert to a cinema lens. I would like to save this lens from being cannibalized to a RED cinema camera lens. Should I get it or not? Can anyone share their experience with this lens? If you don't think I should get it, please explain why. It has been elusive, but I feel the time is right to bite! Buy it, enjoy it, and post some images on the forum … You might regret not buying it if nobody else 'bites' and it ends up as a cinema lens. If I had the £dosh it would be used with my R9/DMR. dunk Edited May 17, 2018 by dkCambridgeshire Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted May 17, 2018 Share #9 Posted May 17, 2018 There was one for sale through Leica Miami at just under $14k and it appears that it has sold. It was truly in like new condition. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicapages Posted September 24, 2018 Share #10 Posted September 24, 2018 I have this rare opportunity to purchase this "legendary" Leica lens. If no takers, they will convert to a cinema lens. I would like to save this lens from being cannibalized to a RED cinema camera lens. Should I get it or not? Can anyone share their experience with this lens? If you don't think I should get it, please explain why. It has been elusive, but I feel the time is right to bite! Late reaction. I own the lens, got one of the first available ones when it appeared -not knowing at that time that production would be stopped at 200 pieces. It is a fine lens but due to the f/2.8 opening a rather big and heavy lens for its limited focal range. If you want top quality in this range, however, that is the lens to get. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fresco Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share #11 Posted October 6, 2018 Late reaction. I own the lens, got one of the first available ones when it appeared -not knowing at that time that production would be stopped at 200 pieces. It is a fine lens but due to the f/2.8 opening a rather big and heavy lens for its limited focal range. If you want top quality in this range, however, that is the lens to get. Thanks leicapages,! I actually got it without the "cine" adjustment in the end, and all I can say is... this is one of the best lenses I've ever bought... and it is probably one of the greatest lenses ever (I would love to see a Canon or Nikon lens that comes close... and I say this as a Nikon lens owner). Unless you have used it, I guess it doesn't matter what you say, but it is basically the "Leica" philosophy in one lens... how far can we push things, and what will people accept? Unfortunately, most elite Leica users will talk about the 0.95 or the 75 1.25, and that will be it for them... unfortunately they have not used the 35-70 2.8... And I will say no more... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonasj Posted October 9, 2018 Share #12 Posted October 9, 2018 wast money Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted October 11, 2018 Share #13 Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) It's a perfect lens. I had one and used it quite a lot with the R system and digital back. http://www.overgaard.dk/leica_35-70_Vario-Elmarit-R_28.html Edited October 11, 2018 by Overgaard link error Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonasj Posted October 30, 2018 Share #14 Posted October 30, 2018 (edited) nothing interested your pictures,just was good for 2008,,,, Edited October 30, 2018 by leonasj Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fresco Posted December 21, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted December 21, 2018 On 10/11/2018 at 8:52 PM, Overgaard said: It's a perfect lens. I had one and used it quite a lot with the R system and digital back. http://www.overgaard.dk/leica_35-70_Vario-Elmarit-R_28.html Thorsten, a bit late to the party here (I don't follow the Forum as much as I used to), but yes, have used this lens on the DMR, the SL and with my R9, and it is probably one of the best lenses I've ever used. When it comes to use on film, it's like five Summicrons in one. Thanks for your feedback! On 10/30/2018 at 1:08 PM, leonasj said: nothing interested your pictures,just was good for 2008,,,, On 10/9/2018 at 12:11 PM, leonasj said: wast money Really? Please offer a comparison... if you're going to make such statements. Sure, looking at what a lens can do is entirely subjective, but I'd really like to know what you are comparing it to, if you're actually comparing it to anything. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sultanqtr Posted November 25, 2021 Share #16 Posted November 25, 2021 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sultanqtr Posted November 25, 2021 Share #17 Posted November 25, 2021 leica R8 + 35-70mm asph adox cms20 ii pro film 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! 2 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/284409-35-70-f28-r-lens-your-opinion/?do=findComment&comment=4319915'>More sharing options...
sultanqtr Posted November 25, 2021 Share #18 Posted November 25, 2021 (edited) leica sl2 + 35-70mm asph 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! Edited November 25, 2021 by sultanqtr 4 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/284409-35-70-f28-r-lens-your-opinion/?do=findComment&comment=4319917'>More sharing options...
sultanqtr Posted November 25, 2021 Share #19 Posted November 25, 2021 (edited) leica sl2 + 35-70mm asph 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! Edited November 25, 2021 by sultanqtr 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/284409-35-70-f28-r-lens-your-opinion/?do=findComment&comment=4319920'>More sharing options...
sultanqtr Posted November 25, 2021 Share #20 Posted November 25, 2021 leica sl2 + 35-70mm asph 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! 4 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/284409-35-70-f28-r-lens-your-opinion/?do=findComment&comment=4319923'>More sharing options...
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