Leica 180/2,8 Elmarit-R #11923 (Non-APO) for Film and Digital?

[bherman01545]

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All;

I have a Leicaflex SL2 and a couple of 3 Cam lenses. I was told that the 180mm F/2.8 APO is a great (and pricey) lens, but I think that it is only available in ROM, which won't help me.

How is the non-APO version: Leica 180/2,8 Elmarit-R #11923?>

Still an excellent lens, or are there better options? I have the R to L Adapter for my SL2-S, so it will be serving double-duty for both film and digital.

The other option is the 180 F/3.4 APO..

Comments?

Thx!

-Brad

Edited February 24, 2021 by bherman01545

[dkCambridgeshire]

You might consider finding a copy of 'Leica Pocket Book 8th Edition' but they are scarce ... documents all Leica R lenses' specs. including weights and MTF charts. The 180/3.4 is a fine lens but was designed for long subject distances ... allegedly not so good at closer distances. There are two 180/2.8 R lenses ... both good lenses ... Mk I weighs 1325g; Mk II weighs 755g. 

[ardbeg]

On 2/24/2021 at 8:44 PM, dkCambridgeshire said:

The 180/3.4 is a fine lens but was designed for long subject distances ... allegedly not so good at closer distances. There are two 180/2.8 R lenses ... both good lenses ... Mk I weighs 1325g; Mk II weighs 755g. 

I can confirm that the later (less weighty) 180/2.8 is an excellent lens. While not APO, it is a very nicely rendering lens particularly for longer portraiture and medium-tele landscape. It also does reasonably well in combination with the APO 1.4 or 2.0 TC. I ultimately sold my 180 to acquire an APO 280/4 as I needed longer reach. As noted above, the APO 180/3.4 is optimized more for infinity focus and thus if you need more general purpose near and far compositions, the 180 2.8 non-APO is likely a better choice.

Last point -- I used the 180 2.8 on an M10 with 020 and later with an SL2 so yes it works well for digital.