Review 2 of 6
Price Paid:
$2500.00
from Ebay Summary:
I got this brand-new dream-lens at ebay for half the price with full guarantee. Built quality is exceptional, the best I''ve ever experienced. I also have the Vario-Elmar 4/80-200, which is also great in all aspects, but the Vario-Apo-Elmarit just shows it its limits.
I also use a Canon EOS-1 with the EF 2.8/28-70 L and the EF 2.8/80-200 L (which is also a little bit better in optical terms than the newer 70-200/2.8 L). But the Leica VAE blows them out of the water. Paired up with a Leica R8 + Winder, this is the combination to go for. Everything out of solid metal. The built-in hood is covered with rubber and much more practical than the seperate burger-king-crowns of Canon and Nikon, that stay at home most of the time.
Otical performance at full aperture is brilliant. The best performance is at f/4. After that there is a slight fall-of till f/8.
There is noo need to stop down when focused to infinity. You have to do so if getting pictures from Objects closer than 5 meters.
With other zooms from Canon or Nikon, the 2.8 position is not the best one and normaly you have to stop down to f/4 or f/5.6 or f/8. Not so with leica. Apart from a high depth-of-field you can use f/2.8 or f/4 to get the max. out of your lens.
The original Price of 6000 $ is very hefty. But the costs for Leica for each lens are something around 4000 $. The lens is very expensive. But if you could hold one in your hands and use it, you''ll get to know, that ist''s worth every penny.
The only disadvantage is the veiling flare at the max. focal position under certain lighting conditions. I also use the Leica Apo-Telyt 3.4/180, which is much better in terms of flare. But optically, the VAE is on par with it. Strengths:
Optical performance compared to other zooms of the same focal length is beyond comparison. Built quality is exceptional and Weaknesses:
Under certain circumstances heavy veiling flare in the max. focal position (180). Can''t be corrected by Leica service as reported in an earlier review. You can''t change the aperture and construction ! Similar Products Used:
Canon EF 80-200/2.8 L, Leica Summicron 2/90, Leica Apo-Telyt 3.4/180 Customer Service:
Exceptional. Fast and friendly. Canon''s Service is also quite good, but you have to wait 4-6 Weeks for repairs. Leica only takes 2-3 Weeks. I have lots of Leica lenses and all of them were checked by
| 
Link to this page
5 of 5
4 of 5
3 of 5
