70-180 f/2.8

[gib_robinson]

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Anyone owned or used this lens? I haven't seen one either new or used but I wish I had one for indoor work with kids. I'd love to hear from users of this lens, if there are any on the forum..

[Guest lll]

Yes, I´ve got one. Ambigious:

 

PICTURES ARE VERY SHARP AND CLEAR, SUPERB CONTRAST AND TONES

 

but

- prone to reflections at the long end

- visible distortion

- heavy

- focusing and zooming ring exactly the same size and structure, so it´s easy to get confused a little bit

- tripod clamp not removable, thus always disturbing zooming. You can´t get from 70 to 180 in a single movement without changing your grip

- thanks to build in hood polarizing filters are hard to mount / dismount. Even to use them needs a special lenshood (heliopan tele hood i.e.).

 

Is a close focus distance of 1.7 meters sufficient for you at inddor shots?

 

If you want to use ist with an APO extender, consider that you will probably have to send both items to the CS. The extender has to be adjusted very fine in order to prevent the focus from getting lost while zooming. TV cameramen will know that. It´s nothing bad, professional TV cameras have the possibility / necessity to adjust the flange (in German called "Auflagemaß") after each changing of a lens.

In spite of that the picture quality remains outstanding, I can really recommend this combination. 5.6 / 140 - 360 is a very useable range.

 

Friedhelm

[Guest lll]

Did nobody else in the forum make experiences with that lens? Would be interesting for me too.

 

Regards

Friedhelm

[leicar7]

To my mind, this lens is an unusual choice for indoor work, unless you have at least 2 meters of shooting distance and your children are not moving while you shoot. In addition, the f/2.8 may be slow for indoor situations unless you plan to use a flash. It will also be difficult to verify focussing indoors unless the light levels are relatively high.

 

This lens takes getting used to for hand-held work outdoors, let alone indoors for the reasons cited another author above. It is magnificent on a tripod and has become my primary scenic lens for telephoto shooting.

 

You might post more detail about your indoor shooting situation so that folks replying can give you better information. But I'd guess that the f/2 or f/1.4 prime lenses would be better candidates for indoor work.

[pascal_meheut]

I used it. It is indeed an excellent lens but I prefer the 90/2 AA & 180/2.8 APO couple: as good optically and easier to focus, handle...

[itn]

Dear Folks,

 

Crisp sharp, good for portrait. Bulky and heavy.

 

At some distance, this lens somewhat suffer from a strange bokeh. I prefer the combination of AS 90mm and AE 180mm.

[Posto 6]

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Exceptional lens, in spite of the weight. Only issue with it is that it cannot take the 1.4x extender, unlike it's bigger brother or the fantastic 280/4, which otherwise shares it's external dimensions.

 

I consider this lens one of Leica's most desirable masterpieces (like the 280/4), unsurpassed in it's optical abilities as well as durability and quality of components.

 

I am, however thinking of getting mine cleaned, and CLAed, as quite a lot of dirt has accumulated inside- is this a Solms-only job, or can it be handled locally?