I was wondering if anyone had any samples from each of these lenses to share? I particularly like samples from nikon 200/2.0 but was wondering how the leica would compare. preferably low light portraits. thanks.
I have the 180/2 APO. Erwin Puts said the 180/2.8 APO is the best Leica lens ever produced, but I found the 180/2@f/2.8 has the best optical performance. (Contrast & extreme fine detail) I've tested this on my two copies of 180/2.8 APO, both are in mint condition. Sorry, I am not a Nikon fan. I can't comment the 200/2VR.
well, i've seen many beautiful images shot through a 200/2 VR. unfortuately my sony system has no access to it. the next best alternatives are leica 180/2 or contax 200/2. i was just curious at how similar they were.
Empire wrote:
Chr*st, that looks like it was shot with 6x7 !!
It's actually a crop from a 5D frame. It was after I bought my first 5D that I decided to sell all my medium format gear (Rollei 6008 + Mamiya 6), so I know what you mean. The close-up performance of the 180 f2 (at 1.4 m) is stunning - incredible for a lens with such a wide front element.
brainiac wrote:
The close-up performance of the 180 f2 (at 1.4 m) is stunning - incredible for a lens with such a wide front element.
The often overlooked benefit of that is that your focusing accuracy is also astounding. Partly because it is so sharp wide open and partly because of the bizzare ergonomics (the placement of the tripod collar relative to the very light and large focusing ring) and light focusing which allow you to focus accurately where ever you like. I normally shoot people wide open and at close range with this lens, R APO 180/2, and have very very few miss focused images.
JohnJ wrote:
The often overlooked benefit of that is that your focusing accuracy is also astounding. Partly because it is so sharp wide open and partly because of the bizzare ergonomics (the placement of the tripod collar relative to the very light and large focusing ring) and light focusing which allow you to focus accurately where ever you like. I normally shoot people wide open and at close range with this lens, R APO 180/2, and have very very few miss focused images.
JJ
That's right - it is a low-light portrait photographer's wet dream.
