I shoot mostly B&W. This lense is capable of producing uncanny results. Images made on a tripod will enlarge to 11x14 without any loss of sharpness or tonality (grain is in the hands of the developer/time/agitation gods). It has such a solid feel, focusing is a breeze. The macro function or close focusing is great...very creative portrait possibilities. OK, it is very expensive...so take very good care of it when you buy it! I just can't say a bad word about this lense, nor about the 35-70 F4 or the 180mm F3.4 that round out my lense assortment. I have 2 bodies, an R6.2 and an R8 and I consider my bag to be lacking only a 28mm lense to be complete.
Strengths:
The best all around lense money can buy.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
The leica lenses mentioned above and from Pentax, 135, 200, 300, 400, 28 and 35.
Brilliant lens. And´perfect from the macro range to infinity. Built quality is exceptional and the lens balances perfectly an a R8 + Winder. Centering, flatness of field, sharpness and contrast are excellent and unrivalled. The additional tripod collar is not needed. You can buy the additional Elpro for 1:1 for approx. 300 €, but if you already own the 2x-Apo-Extender, you get a 5.8/200 APO-Lens with 1:1 macro capability. I checked that with Leica in Solms and the confirmed that. You loose 2 steps on the aperture, but the image quality of both 1:1 (2.8/100 + Elpro or 2x-Apo-Extender + 2.8/100) is equal.
The mechanics are smooth and the distance ring turns silky and oily. Just right for mocro work. This is a universal lens and my new standard lens. I''m also using the huge Vario-Apo-Elmarit 2.8/70-180. When light traveling is essential, e.g. in countries with a high crime rate, I''ll take the R7, the Vario Elmar 4/35-70, the Apo-Macro-Elmarit 100 and the 2x-Apo-Extender. With that combination, you can cover a range of 35-200 mm with unrivaled image quality and not too much weight.
The true power of the Apo-Macro-Elmarit is unleashed with a sturdy tripod or monopod an Fuji Velvia !
The price-tag on the lens is quite high. But if you''ve ever had a guided tour to the Leica Factory in Solms, you wonder why they aren''t more expensive. The manufacturing of the precision mecanics is very expensive and all in all more than twice or three times as expensive as the optics ! That in mind you get to know, why Leica lenses are twice or three times as expensive as Canon or Nikon lenses. Every Leica lens runs through the quality control at the end of the production whereas Can. or Nik. only test samples.
Strengths:
Optical and mecanical workmanship, very flexible and compact lens. Best lens in the world ! Worth every penny !
Weaknesses:
nothing at all
Similar Products Used:
Varil-Apo-Elmarit 2.8/70-180, Summicron 2/90, Vario-Elmar 4/35-70, Vario-Elmar 4/80-200, Elmarit 2.8/24, Elmarit 2.8/35, Apo-Telyt 3.4/180, Canon EF 2.8/28-70 L USM, Canon EF 2.8/80-200 L, Sigma Macro
I went to Leica Solms to purchase a 1.4/80mm but was steered into this lens. HrBraun explained that it was this lens that the factory believed to be their sharpest. In fact, he said, that they used this lens to test their converters and film resolution!
Strengths:
Sharpness, APO color quality, great focusing range
Weaknesses:
long focus turns because of Makro, 60mm filter size, one stop faster would be nice
Similar Products Used:
Nikon 105 2.0 DC (the best for portraits)
Customer Service:
ok. I was a bit irritated that the Leica store Hr Braun was a bit hurried with me. I did get a 2% rebate as is their in store policy though.
I read the reviews on the Leica User Group. I worried about the "too sharp for portrait" comments". I worried about the price vs the 90mm f2 at second hand. Well, I have been using Leica M lenses for years and this lens ranks at the very top of the Leica tree. It has that special Leica "oomph" quality in buckets. Great resolution, fantastic contrast which provides lots of details in the shadows even in non-contrasty lighting, classic Leica "bokeh". I didn''t find my portrait shots "too sharp" at all for both male and female models but it''s best to shoot a head and shoulder shot with men.
Interior close-up shots of still life lit by natural daylight and some tungsten spots had such great colour and detail that everyone asked which camera/lens I was using. And all shots were taken with the aperture wide open!
Strengths:
Resolution, contrast and bokeh. Fantastic shadow detail. APO quality really shows through especially at night with neon lights.
Weaknesses:
Slightly longer focusing turns but that is to be expected as this is a macro lens.
Sometimes I wish it were a stop faster. Leica quality control - before settling on the current one I have, I rejected two samples (all brand new stocks from the distributor) because of excessive amount of internal dust. To be honest though, I think even with all those dust inside, this lens would still outperform all other lenses of this type.
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