How good is the APO-TELY 280mm 2.8?

[Guest Posto 6]

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Apolologies- I opened this thread twice inadvertently. If any moderators can cancel this one, I would be very grateful. Once again, apologies

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[Guest Posto 6]

I just received a new, unused (mk2-1993) example of this lens, for my personal use. However, some friends tell me that the 280/4, as well as the modular units are far superior than this. As I also bought the 1.4 apo-extender, I would be grateful for any comments and assistance you may all have regarding this lens- otherwise, as it is literally brand new (I just opened the sealed packaging), I could exchange it for one of these others if there really were a significant difference (aasuming the economics were worthwhile).

 

Thanks for your help on this,

 

Posto 6

[glenerrolrd]

I have had this lens since it was introduced ..ordered it the day it was available. I think its an outstanding lens as generally any Leica lens with APO in the name will be. Last year I acquired the entire Modular Telyt system 280/2.8 thru 800/5.6 and was able to test the 280 against the modular version.

 

The modular system is slightly better with the 280/2.8 (small head and 1x module) but its much more expensive. The newer system has slightly better resolution and micro contrast. If I didn t test the lenses I would not have been able to tell.

 

Others have indicated that the new design 280/4 beats both the older 280/2.8 and the module version . But again its street price used is generally twice what the 280/2.8 apo version.

 

It also handles nicely with a smooth dampened focusing mount . I originally used my 280/2.8 on film R bodies but also used it on a Canon 5D with an adapter. My tests were on the R9/DMR.

 

You should know thats its a heavy lens...I used it without support but only for about an hour at a time. Not a lens you can walk around with easily and generally better on a monopod.

[Guest Posto 6]

Thanks- have been testing it a bit today on my SL2Mot, as well as on a friend's DMR today- while it is definitely rather heavy, it is not unpleasant to use, and the results (DMR) that I have been able to see seem to be extremely good.

 

Did anyone find significant differences with the modular or the 280/4 apo, or are these marginal?

[topoxforddoc]

I've had both the 280/2.8 APO Telyt (non-modular) as well as the 280/4 APO and the Tamron 300/2.8 LDIF. Personally I found the 280/4 as the best lens. The 280/2.8 was pretty good, but not stellar like the 280/4. The Tamron was surprisingly good and not that far off the 280/2.8.

 

Charlie

[glenerrolrd]

The two major issues with the alternatives are cost and size. The IQ on my 280/2.8 is close enough to the modular system for my use . You can get a perfect 280/2.8APO for $2500. Finding a 280/4 APO at a reasonable price is near impossible so think $5000 and The modular system is more .

 

If cost is not an issue then the module system has the benefit of providing a 400/4 by aquiring the 1.4x module. I have used this system with the 1.4 apo extender and its quite usable .

 

Beyond the peerless image quality the 280/4 is much smaller and more portable. Big advantages if you can afford the cost. They are hard to find used and the cost can vary quite a bit

[Guest Posto 6]

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Thanks for all your very helpful comments. I think that I shall keep the 280/2.8, as it seems to be generally perfectly practicable, as well as far more cost-effective. Although the 280/4 seems better, it does have the 1 stop disadvantage, and, in any event, weight is not that much of an issue for his focal length as far as I am concerned (if I need lighter weight, I can always take my zoom along).

 

Pity about the modular system- however, I cannot justify the price differential (for the moment at least).....

[wildlightphoto]

I was able to compare the 280 f/2.8 APO (non-modular) with the 280mm f/4 APO and in my tests and in field work the f/4 APO was easily my favorite. The f/2.8 APO shows some astigmatism in the outer areas where the f/4 is brilliantly sharp to the extreme corners even at full aperture. I also found the f/4 was easier to focus with confidence, has a closer minimum focus distance, and more pleasing bokeh. IMHO the only reason to prefer the f/2.8 is if you intend to use it much at the f/2.8 maximum aperture.

 

The image quality of the f/4 lens also holds up well with either APO extender. It's a 'never sell' lens for me.

[Mike G.]

I've used the 2.8/280 for the past year and a half and have found it to be sharper than any of the Non-APO Telyts that preceded it. I just purchased an f4/280 and so far IMHO it is markedly superior to the 2.8 in resolution, contrast and color rendition. I've so far tested it with the 2X APO extender, and found the IQ remained very high. Without the 2X it is spectacular! I've seen some used f4's go for less than $2000 to more than $3500. I agree with Doug that the f4 is a never sell lens. The fact that this lens is still available after fifteen years in it's original design says something about it's performance. B&H has them new for $6995.

[Tinbird]

Thank you to  Guest Posto 6; Roger; Charlie; wildlightphoto; and Mike G for sharing your experiences with these three, specific Leica 280mm APO Telyt-R lenses. I'm interested in acquiring one, and your comments, even 17-years later, remain very helpful indeed. Thanks again, gentlemen...

[bocaburger]

On 2/25/2025 at 4:02 PM, Tinbird said:

Thank you to  Guest Posto 6; Roger; Charlie; wildlightphoto; and Mike G for sharing your experiences with these three, specific Leica 280mm APO Telyt-R lenses. I'm interested in acquiring one, and your comments, even 17-years later, remain very helpful indeed. Thanks again, gentlemen...

Hi Tinbird just wanted to add another datapoint for the 280 f/2.8 (non-modular) lens.  I owned 2 samples and both had an odd quirk when used with an R9 body the maximum aperture shown in the the finder was f/3.5.  Moreover it was not just a glitch in the readout as the metering reacted as if it was indeed f/3.5.  That is, in aperture priority if I stopped down to f/4 the shutter speed did not decrease by a full stop. 

Another oddity of that lens was the rotating tripod collar self-locks at pre-set intervals rather than with a conventional knurled screw like most other lenses.  This made it more complicated to level the horizon when used on a tripod on uneven ground as it necessitated adjusting either the tripod legs or ballhead.  

Neither quirk was a deal-breaker just odd.  When I went digital I kept that lens with an EOS mount adapter for quite a while until I made the mistake of borrowing an EF 300/2.8-IS which ran rings round the aging R-lens including sharpness and contrast wide-open and compelled me to sell my old friend Telyt.

[nykv]

+ AF.

Try selling a Socanikpan lens >35mm or 50mm and longer in perfect condition, but unfortunately with AF issues.

Out of the remaining camera users, 90% would be puzzled: "What do you mean: manual focus??"

Edited February 28 by nykv