has anyone used the R 180 f4?

[greg_mason]

Has any one used the R 180 f4? I was wondering how it compares with the other 180 lenses. I don't mind giving up some speed in exchange for a smaller and lighter lens as it will complement rather than duplicate gear I have in other mounts. I will use it with both an R6.2 and an SL.

 

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thank you in advance for your advice.

 

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greg mason

[andy_piper2]

Greg: I'm working on a similar decicion - here's a link to some

previous info - including 180 f/4 comments.

 

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<a href="http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=

0078YY">LINK</a>

 

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My impression is that it is essentially the same image quality as the

most recent non-APO f/2.8 - just slower. Still looking for one to try

out, myself.

[ray_moth]

I owned a 180/4 for a while and used it mostly for portraits. I liked

the results. Of course, it doesn't have the critical sharpness of APO

lenses but I found its bokeh really nice. It's small and lightweight,

has a built-in sliding shade and takes E55 filters.

[budc]

I've had a 180 Elmar-R since 1977. There are times I wished it was a

bit faster but then it would also be bigger and heavier. It's color

rendition is the same as my other lenses of the period (28, 60, 90).

It's contrast is excellent.

 

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I used this lens extensively when I lived in Europe to isolate

architectural details and for landscape photos. I've also used it

with a 2X extender but it's really too slow for this combination to

work well. However, one experiment I tried was to photograph Hummel

figurines on K25 with the extender and the results were amazing.

 

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Because of it's size and weight, it's always in my bag.

 

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Now that I'll be using ISO 100 film more than K25, lens speed won't

be so much of a problem.

[Robin Smith]

I had one for 3 years and liked it a lot. It is excellent and compact.

I recommend it. I replaced it with an Apo-Telyt, which is half a stop

faster and undoubtedly superior, but as with many optical issues you

notice it largely in comparison. I replaced it only because the Telyt

was a half stop faster and because it is a legendary lens so I was

intrigued to see if it really was better, not because the f4 was poor.

The 180/f4 is a bargain and I suggest you buy one and try it. I doubt

you will be disappointed.