LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH

[CaptainZar]

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For info:

 

yodobashi.com : leica 14-150

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[goodbokeh]

From early reports it promises to be a superb lens which, given its zoom ratio, is hard to believe but that is the magic of Leica. My 14-50 VElmarit is such a nice lens though (I like the extra speed) that I am waiting for the 50-150 3.5/5.6 VElmar. I'm expecting nothing less than a world beater.

[rsolomon]

From early reports it promises to be a superb lens which, given its zoom ratio, is hard to believe but that is the magic of Leica. My 14-50 VElmarit is such a nice lens though (I like the extra speed) that I am waiting for the 50-150 3.5/5.6 VElmar. I'm expecting nothing less than a world beater.

 

Has the 50-150 3.5/5.6 VElmar been announced ? i hope this lens is a 50-150 mm f2.8-f3.5.

[DonQuijote]

Has the 50-150 3.5/5.6 VElmar been announced ? i hope this lens is a 50-150 mm f2.8-f3.5.

 

According to the 4:3 lens model roadmap(plus my views):

14-50mm f2.8-3.5 (2006) - good lens (came with my D3)

25mm f1.4 (2007) - seems like a very,very good lens sharp & fast - I have one - it is a shame that it does not work with the Oly teleconverter EC20 or the EX25 extension tube for macros - so much for 4/3rds 'openess' and compatibilty.

14-150mm f3.5-5.6 (2007) - a one size fits all for travellers (good when one does not want to switch lenses, but otherwise it seems too dark/slow a lens. I do like the aperature ring, OIS and size though.

50-150mm f3.5-5.6 (2008?) - I would be interested in a comparison of this lens against the Zuiko Digital ED 50–200mm F2.8–3.5 SWD (incidentally which I have just ordered together with the EC-20 teleconverter - this should provide a reach of 400mm 4/3rds or 800mm 35 film (this comes at a 2 f-stop loss)

45mm f2.0 Macro (2008?) - sorry not going to wait I just ordered the Zuiko Digital ED 50mm F2 Macro (which offers a magnification of 1:2 (half life size) and has an image magnification size equivalent to life size (1:1) in a 35mm film photo). Plus I have the extension tube and EC20 that can be used together to provide a number of work options and further enlargement capability.

 

For lenses depending on how happy I will be with the two Oly lenses I may switch to Olympus as Panasonic/Leica are too slow, provide a limited offering (not a faster zoom, no accessories i.e. tubes, teleconverters, etc). plus this will provide the opportunity to switch to an Olympus body in 1-2 years (not the E3 though). I am looking forward to feedback re. the 14-150mm lens or 50-150mm lens. Good luck

[ptomsu]

A

25mm f1.4 (2007) - seems like a very,very good lens sharp & fast - I have one - it is a shame that it does not work with the Oly teleconverter EC20 or the EX25 extension tube for macros - so much for 4/3rds 'openess' and compatibilty.

 

For lenses depending on how happy I will be with the two Oly lenses I may switch to Olympus as Panasonic/Leica are too slow, provide a limited offering (not a faster zoom, no accessories i.e. tubes, teleconverters, etc). plus this will provide the opportunity to switch to an Olympus body in 1-2 years (not the E3 though). I am looking forward to feedback re. the 14-150mm lens or 50-150mm lens. Good luck

 

You should be aware of the fact, that the 1,4/25 is not focusing properly on the E-3. And there is no support to be expected from Panasonic for that, because they feel that it is enough if this lens works with PanaLeica cameras. This much for the openness of the FT standard!

 

E-3 backfocus problem - FourThirdsPhoto Forum

 

E3 focus inconsistencies - FourThirdsPhoto Forum

 

With regards to sharpness of the 1,4/25 - I have this lens myself and I am not at all satisfied - besides the AF issues it also deliver only very soft results between 1,4 - 4 and even at 5,5 the new standard zoom of Oly, the 12-60 outperforms the Leica at 25mm in all regards.

 

One thing is VERY obvious meanwhile - Oly glass is far superior today than PanaLeica glass and if coming with SWD also faster. Plus I expect the more advanced FT camera models from Oly and not from PanaLeica, so in order to make the lenses work seamlessly with the top cameras the clear choice is - go Olympus exclusively :-)

 

Just my 5c

[spylaw4]

Just catching up on that auction site after my hols. Saw this if any one is interested:

LEICA-D-VARIO-ELMAR-14-150mm-f-3-5-5-6

[rsolomon]

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Michael: please let us know your results with the "Zuiko Digital ED 50–200mm F2.8–3.5 SWD " on the Digilux 3. i'm hoping this is the compliment to the kit lens from the D3 - which btw i am very happy with)

[marlof]

it also deliver only very soft results between 1,4 - 4 and even at 5,5 the new standard zoom of Oly, the 12-60 outperforms the Leica at 25mm in all regards.

 

This post, and your other posts make that I can't help but feel there's something wrong with your 25/1.4 . Mine is sharp, even at 1.4. Did you try manual focus with the live preview (allowing you to check the correct focus at 10x enlargement), and see how the images come out then?

[DonQuijote]

Peter, thanks for your thoughts and input - I am impressed by Oly quality and it most likely will be my upgrade path when I decide to upgrade the D3 (when the E5 is released ). Today I held the E3 in my paws and it has a nice solid feel to it - though the screen seemed small for the body - nice swivel action though. I refused to try it with battery (temptation) as I do not plan to upgrade for at least 2 years as I still have to get some value out of my D3 and the E5 may be available then.

 

Something I do not agree with is that the Leica Summilux D 25mm f/ 1.4 ASPH does not produce sharp images - it certainly does - here are some examples from fellow owners and myself :

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/32313-leica-summilux-d-25mm-f-1-a.html

 

Here are some further testimonials taken from B&H Photo & Video web site (B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders) when searching for the lens and clicking on reviews:

 

Very Nice, October 18, 2007

Reviewer Mike Lucio from Pennsylvania

Expertise: Professional

29 of 42 people found the following review helpful.

Review: This lens is big and heavy, mainly due to telecentric/digital design coupled with F1.4, but a great asset to the four-thirds system. Stellar performer, even wide open, with quiet AF motor and excellent build quality. Quite possibly, the best "normal" F1.4 lens currently available for a DSLR system.

Previous equivalent item owned: Canon EF 50mm 1.4, OM Zuiko 50mm/F1.4, Pentax Takumar SMC 50mm F1.4

 

The best 50mm equivalent lens, September 26, 2007

Reviewer Ricardo Villagran from Mexico

Expertise: Professional

22 of 35 people found the following review helpful.

Review: Simply the best 50mm equivalent lens on the market. As other reviewers already said is an excellent performer, big, heavy but worth every penny... Far better than my beloved Nikon 50mm 1.4 in every aspect.

 

Previous equivalent item owned: Nikon 50mm 1.4, Voigtlander 35mm 1.7, Leica 50mm f2

 

Wonderful, August 25, 2007

Reviewer Andy from Patterson

48 of 69 people found the following review helpful.

Review: After moving completely to Olympus, I missed having a fast 50 (25). Ordered this one here and absolutely love it. Excellent color, sharpness, contrast. Very quiet focusing. Nice hood included, easier to mount than any Olympus lens. Lens cap can be removed with hood in place, same release type as I've seen on some Nikkors. Olympus, please change your lens cap releases.

 

Problems I encountered with this item:Aperture ring has no effect on my E510. Haven't tried it on my E1 yet.

Previous equivalent item owned: Canon 50mm F/1.4 FD, Nikon 50mm F/1.8

 

Big but beautiful, August 28, 2007

Reviewer Bas Scheffers from Adelaide, Australia

Expertise: Experienced amateur

44 of 64 people found the following review helpful.

 

Review: There is only one downside to this lens: it's big. Slightly bigger than the 14-54/2.8-3.5 lens, in fact. It is almost as if Leica took a 25/1.4 design from their R series and wrapped AF around it.

 

The good news is that it truly is a stunning lens; very, very sharp wide open with no vignetting to speak of and even better performance stopped down a bit. Bokeh is very smooth. AF is fast, quiet and accurate and the build feels rock solid with lots of metal on the outside. I would have preferred a smaller lens to satisfy my 50/1.4 craving and maybe also a slightly cheaper one. That said, I am glad I have it now.

 

There is an aperture ring on this, but as far as I can tell it only works on Panasonic and Leica cameras, not on my E-1 or another reviewers E-510. That means you simply leave it on the "A" setting and adjust aperture with the wheel on your camera body.

Previous equivalent item owned:Canon EF 50/1.4, Olympus Zuiko 50/1.4

 

In conclusion Peter, I really think there may be something wrong with your specific lens. I hope you will be able to get some assistance from Panasonic/Leica on this issue (it carries the Leica brand!). Good luck.

 

Nonetheless I am impressed by Olympus and unless Leica are able to pull a really, really nice DSLR out of the hat that one can buy without mortgaging the house my next purchase may not have a red dot - I hope I will be wrong.

 

Rich: Yes, I will not forget to post test results re Oly lens.

 

Thanks for everyone's input - the shopping has been done too late for any regrets.

 

Regards, Michael