Why has this lens got a bad reputation?

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

A few months ago I got a 28-70 Vario-Elmar R, last generation. It was dirt cheap, and I thought it would be handy as a back-uplens to complement my M8 with a practical focal length range. I know it is not considered the best of Leica zooms, being designed by Sigma and having some distortion as well.

The distortion is indeed there, but utterly uninteresting in this digital age, but the lens itself is amazingly sharp and draws beautifully. So is it unjustly unloved? It certainly seems so...Other images with this lens are here

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/54217-objets-trouv-s.html

:

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!

[stuny]

Jaap -

 

I'm in complete agreement with you about the 28-70. On some of our trips, beginning in January 2000, in which I first had Leica gear, I'd use that lens for about 65% of my photos, and was never disappointed. On some more recent trips, when in a hurry I'd use the D2 for the short end, with the 80-200 or 80-200 plus APO 2X on the R8/DMR. Of course it's not like the wonderful 60mm, but it is a fine lens.

 

BTW: As soon as the 28-90 was released (which has similar barrel distortion to the 28-70) the market for the earlier lens died, and dealers offered R9/28-70 package deals. Perhaps that has some influence on the lens's reputation, though I suspect the name "Sigma" biased many against the lens.

[ruiespanhol]

A few months ago I got a 28-70 Vario-Elmar R, last generation. It was dirt cheap, and I thought it would be handy as a back-uplens to complement my M8 with a practical focal length range. I know it is not considered the best of Leica zooms, being designed by Sigma and having some distortion as well.

The distortion is indeed there, but utterly uninteresting in this digital age, but the lens itself is amazingly sharp and draws beautifully. So is it unjustly unloved? It certainly seems so...Other images with this lens are here

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/54217-objets-trouv-s.html

:

 

Jaap I use this lenses whit my R8 and like it very much.

The only problem is the distortion,but if you work under the 35mm and 60mm settings of zoom range this lenses are near free of distortion.

Avoid the use of 28mm and even more the 70mm position because they are to much distortion.

However the lenses are very sharp and one very good bargain at this moment.

Enjoy and forgett the reputation.

 

Best,

[stuny]

Jaap & Rui -

 

Here are two lowlight, non-flash photos with the 28-70 from last month in Kuala Lumpur. The first is (as I recall) at 28mm and the second is (as I recall) at 70mm.

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!

[jaapv]

This is at the 28 mm setting and indeed the horizon was bent. I would guess at a distortion in the order of 10%. But a one-second fix with the lens distortion slider cured that one. I would call it a non-issue. On digital. On film it was another story.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

 

I had this lens for a few weeks and trade it for the 35-70.

Mine was just not up to the expectations I have from a Leica lens. Distortion and soft wide open.

 

Cheers,

 

Michiel Fokkema

[Guest jimmy pro]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The bad reputation that lens got is like you say, not as applicable today. As you say, with digital it's easy to correct the distorsion. Which BTW everyone talks about barrell @ 28mm but that wasn't nearly so bad as the pincushion @ 70 (that actually started just past 50). If you weren't into easel-tilting, it was for all intense purposes, a 35mm fixed lens.

 

Another reason is that today the lens is cheap. Well, for something that says "Leica" anyhow. I remember when it costed more than a grand, new. And it wasn't just a Leica-designed lens made by Sigma, it was a Sigma lens. My uncle had it in Nikon mount, it was the same glass, but $150!! Now I'm talking about the 3-cam type. Later it was redesigned in ROM in a new tube and supposedly it was better optically too, but I never shot one so I can't say.

[dhsimmonds]

This was my very first lens for my R9 and it is a great "walk about" lens. Plenty sharp enough and light weight for carrying around with the R9/DMR combo. I also have the F 2.8 28-90 which is a great lens, a little easier to focus in poorer light but not a lot in it really. However it is a lot heavier! Image shown was taken with the 28-70.

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!

[phlogiston1]

I agree. I have had both versions. This is a very useful lens that I wouldn't be without. It may not be perfect, which lens is? But it is well built and optically quite good. If you can please get past the normal zoom lens distortions and appreciate the colour contrast and clarity you will be very happy. A bargain for the practical photographer who isn't an optical snob.