R 105-280mm f/4.2 Data Sheet

[tritentrue]

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Does anyone know of a website that might have available for download a .pdf file of Leica's data sheet for the 105-280mm f/4.2 Vario-Elmar-R?

The Leica website has data sheets for many R lenses, but not this one.  According to various sources, the lens was produced until 2006.  But Mr. Puts' document Leica R Lenses dated July 2003 doesn't include this lens.  Aside from several threads on this site that mention the lens, generally in less than favorable comparison to the 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R, I can't find much information about it.

A decent copy of the lens recently came into my hands, and I'm finding it to be the R line's "violet by a mossy stone," rendering spectacular imagery, superb with the APO teleconverters, and fairly easily hand-holdable in the field.  Any information about this lens from the Leica historians among us will be greatly appreciated.

[LeicaR10]

Tritentrue,  You might check the website:  www.apotelyt.com  for historical information about the excellent R lens line.  Here are a couple of links for the two lenses under your consideration.  Also, my experience with the 280 f/4 Apo-Telyt-R lens was one of creating superb photographs with the R9 w/DMR and later with the digital SL.  I have no experience with the 105-280mm Vario-Elmar-R lens.

Try these links: https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-lens/leica-apo-telyt-r-280mm-40

280mm Apo-Telyt-R f/4  MTF chart: http://allphotolenses.com/public/files/pdfs/0464e40bb6e115626c76596cbdd2ada9.pdf

105-280mm Vario-Elmar f/4.2 http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_2918.html

105-280mm Vario-Elmar f/4.2 photos:   https://www.juzaphoto.com/recensione.php?l=en&t=leica_vario_elmar_r105-280#page_specificationshttps://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/60137-opinions-on-the-105-280-r/  

There is a Leica Forum discussion on the 105-280mm f/4.2 lens.  It appears Jaapv, one of the staff moderators here on the Leica Forum has owned/used this/these lenses.  Perhaps you might drop him an email on the forum and ask his opinion on both lenses.  

Last and like yourself, I was unable to locate a MTF chart for the 105-280mm Vario-Elmar lens.   Again, drop Jaapv an email and I am sure he will be happy to help you.  

r/ Mark

 

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by LeicaR10

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[tritentrue]

Thank you for the comprehensive list of links and especially for your detailed response.

I previously owned a copy of the 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R as well as two different copies (early and late) of the 280mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R.  I found that, for my shooting purposes, the first iteration of the 280mm f/2.8 APO-Telyt-R served me best of the three. I'm probably the only person I know who was "only" impressed by the 280mm f/4, rather than blown away by it.

Since that time I moved on to, in addition to Leica options, various modern supertelephoto zooms of other brands.  However, like so many people, I find myself drawn to the way Leica glass and sensors render (color, image texture, dimensionality, etc.)

My search for the data sheet is not for comparison purposes, but just for my own edification, the facts "from the horse's mouth," so to speak.

The Leica wiki provides links to several LUF conversations involving the lens, and internet searches turned up a few more.  Those, along with your helpful links, would give a good head start to anyone considering the lens.

One note of interest: online sources including the Leica wiki page for the lens state its weight to be 1950g.  My scale (and my back) weigh the bare lens (without caps or filter) at 2057g.

Again, thank you for the helpful response.