Leica 28-70mm Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 (ROM)

Mike.Palmer

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
5 votes

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from FFordes UK

Summary:
This is probably the most disappointing lens in the whole Leica range. Photographs lack that "Leica look and feel". I used mine for 6 months then sold it. I expected more seeing as how the Japanese made 80-200 is such a gem. But I guess if the basic design is not right its a dog regardless of whos name is on it.

Strengths:
Compact

Weaknesses:
Average contrast and colour rendition. Flares all to easily into the light

Similar Products Used:
Canon 28-135

Customer Service:
Efficient.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
4 votes

Price Paid:  $850.00 from Schiller''s - St. Lo

Summary:
Subperb overall lens. Extremely well built and durable. Regularly make excellent 16x20 elargements - great resolution, contrast, and color.

Strengths:
Build quality. Quality of resulting images taken with it. Screw-in lense hood is great - good protection from sun and protection of front element.

Weaknesses:
Pincushion distortion at 70mm. Noticeable in archictectural photography only

Similar Products Used:
Nikon 28-70 f2.8 AFS Canon 28-70 2.8L

Customer Service:
Not needed

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5,
4 votes

Model Reviewed:
28-70mm Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 (ROM)

Summary:
A good lens for travelling light with above average quality that value for money invested.
At least, it still meeting what I expect from Leica quality.

Strengths:
A great lens for travel light. Good color rendition and contrast. Stop down between 5.6 -11 give a very good performance.

Weaknesses:
Front element rotate/extend when focusing/zooming. Lens hood is screw in type unlike other Leica built-in type. Quite a noticeable of pincushion distortion when zoom to 70mm.

Similar Products Used:
Canon EF28-80mm f3.5-4.5
Contax 28-85mm f3.4

Customer Service:
NA