po_ting_huang

<p>It's a bit late to reply on this thread (10 yrs!). There is no way that Kinoptik 100/2 will beat the Leica. Kinoptik 100 is just a plain 6/4 double-gauss design without aspherics, floating element or anything that can further improve this widely used optical formula. You can almost assure the image curvature, astigmatism...etc toward the edge as many other similar design would normally encounter.</p>

Many years ago when I just got my digital rebel (aka. 300D), I was quite happy with my new EF85/1.8. It's sharp, light wieght, and fast focus. One day when I saw the digital pictures of an old Leica 35mm Summicron, I was amazed by its color and contrast. Three month later, I sold the EF85/1.8 to fund my other Leica's. Now, I have 25 leica's and 4 canon's.

Got a new 35-70/4.0 Elmar-r + Leica UV (w/o box) for $400 in 2007. The owner ordered the lens, went on a travel, and lost all his gear. He decided to sell the last Leica gear he had after he came back.

I have the Type I summicron, it has the best performance among all my other early type lenses. Type I was based on a 9 element design which showed Leica's effort during that time. It also shared the same fingerprint of 2nd Elmarit, which also is a great performer. Type II summicron was redesigned with 6 elements and high refractive index material. (Much less curvature on 1st element)

I had both the 70-200/2.8L and 70-180 APO. At 200mm wide open, the canon looks a bit sharper on the edge of the subject, but the 70-180 is more contrasy than Canon, especially the micro contrast. The image from Leica looks 3D and that's the advantage over Canon. However, Canon has AF and is much cheaper. I got mine for less than 600 with few tiny scratch on the front element. They won't affect the IQ though. I think from 70-135mm, Leica is better in terms of IQ. Stopped down, Canon is no match for Leica. It's hard to believe the 70-180 has only 13 elements with APO design while the Canon has 19! (23 for IS version)

The serial number is no longer useful for tracking your lens manufacture date after 2000.

I have the 180/3.4 APO and also tried a A180/2.3 from a friend. The 180/3.4 apo is sharper than A180/2.3 even the later was stopped down.

Mine is no problem at all. This combination do focus form 0.7m to infinity. My aop extender is the ROM version.

I got all of them. Optically, they are similar in performance @ f/2.8. Therefore, it all depends on your need and budget. Personally, I recommend Summicron because you need at least f2 on low light condition.

14198 is the correct one to go, but 14256 is ok in your case. 14256 can be used on different lenses, but not ROM ones. 14256 is consisted by three pieces - the female bayonet, male bayonet and 25mm(?) extension tube. The drawback is that they are all screw-in type, there is no way to control the exact final position of each pieces. That means when you mount the lens, the lens postion may not be in center. It looks like the lens is over-turned (or less-turned), but it's not. 14256 can be mod to work with ROM lens.

<p>"The latest 90 2.8, short stubby one, will go soft under 6 ft." ? Here is my shot with 2nd version at minimum distance.</p>

<img src="http://i5.pbase.com/o4/57/609157/1/54815891.CRW_6410.jpg"></img>

What a beautiful picture! Ican see the reason to own a 85/1.2L.

Well, I have almost the opposite opinion with John Jovic. First, I got a bad copy of 70-180 APO, then it was returned to Leica twice. Now, it performs excellent. I did a comparison with some Canon 70-200/2.8 IS or non-IS. None of them can match the performance of 70-180 APO in terms of sharpness, contrast (especially micro-contrast), and color. I do not own a 180/3.4 APO, but I do have a 180 Summicron for stage photography. According to Puts, it outperforms 180/3.4 at widest aperture. From f/2.8 and up, it equals 180/2.8 APO. To bad I don't have the chance to see it myself.

<p>I love my 60 Macro R.</p>

<img src="http://eclaim.kymco.com/download/image/IMG_4902.jpg"></img>

 

<img src="http://eclaim.kymco.com/download/image/IMG_4868.jpg"></img>

 

<img src="http://eclaim.kymco.com/download/image/IMG_4707.jpg"></img>

From my own experience, 2nd 90 Elmarit has better close distance than first version. However, both are great for portrait. Almost nothing can beat them in turns of price and performance.