p.1 #4 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
What I like about this one is it is well-behaved right from f4 and has good corners, so it sets the standard for the new Zeiss FE 24-70 to match. Combined with Sony's colour at present, Leica lenses will go very well on it.
p.1 #5 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
The 35-70 Vario-Elmar is a stunning lens. I have found the images to be crisp and well but not over-saturated. In some ways it is reminiscent of the old Contax G 45/2 in its imaging although the latter might have had a little more mid-tone contrast. I am surprised at its comparatively modest price - certainly seems a bit of a bargain to me. The only real downside is that you can only use it with Lee type filters at or close to the 35mm end because the lens barrel retracts into the body as the focal length is zoomed out towards 70mm and the filters prevent this happening from around 40mm. Not that important as such filters are only really used for landscape work.
p.1 #6 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
You can get good result at the wide open-f4 on this lens. Yet many other f2.8 lenses need step down to get good images. It makes a big difference. I admit, the bokeh is its weak side, but the micro feature works very well. I didn't pay attention to the filter, I think I put a B+W on it. I will have to check it tomorrow.
p.1 #7 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
I think I was wrongly started this thread because same topic had existed. While I was wanting to post on "Leica R Series Lenses" thread, I clicked on "New topic" instead "Post reply." I even couldn't find how to delete this thread. So you may stop to post here, and post pictures and comments to the old thread.
p.1 #8 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
On the contrary, the Rseries picture thread can stay as picture thread and this can remain open for the occasional text message.
In my case, I wonder if anyone else have had it almost lock up with zooming and distance settings blocking each other?
Impeccable pictures and good close-ups when pressing the button provided, but not what one expects, even after some years have piled on to this design. Mine is off to Solms to be fixed.
p.1 #9 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
waterden wrote:
The 35-70 Vario-Elmar is a stunning lens. I have found the images to be crisp and well but not over-saturated. In some ways it is reminiscent of the old Contax G 45/2 in its imaging although the latter might have had a little more mid-tone contrast. I am surprised at its comparatively modest price - certainly seems a bit of a bargain to me. The only real downside is that you can only use it with Lee type filters at or close to the 35mm end because the lens barrel retracts into the body as the focal length is zoomed out towards 70mm and the filters prevent this happening from around 40mm. Not that important as such filters are only really used for landscape work....Show more →
The filter issue has puzzled me since I first tried to attach a 60mm filter and discovered the problem you describe. I wonder why Leica provided a 60mm thread if it's not possible to use filters through the entire zoom range?
Agree that the Vario-Elmar 70/4 is a great lens. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it performs on the A7R.
p.1 #10 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
genji wrote:
The filter issue has puzzled me since I first tried to attach a 60mm filter and discovered the problem you describe. I wonder why Leica provided a 60mm thread if it's not possible to use filters through the entire zoom range?
Agree that the Vario-Elmar 70/4 is a great lens. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it performs on the A7R.
We have found ways around this issue if you use the Cokin P system. If you get a Cokin P 77mm filter adapter and put a little gaffers tape around the inside of the adapter ring you can place slide it onto the lens hood. Once in position you can mount a Cokin P holder. This will allow using Circular Polarizing filters in with sprockets as those purchased from Singh-Ray. This will allow you to use the Circular Polarizing filer at any focal length. It will also allow you to rotate the filter for Polarizing position correcting as the front of the lens and lens hood rotates. Using this system also allows you to use Grad ND filters as well as square or rectangular ND filters which are also available from Singh-Ray.
I also leave my lens hood on the lens all the time in the shooting position so I do not have to mount it to the lens before I shoot. I normally leave a UV filter on the lens at all times to protect the front element. For the absolute best performance from the lens when using the Cokin P sized filters I would remove the UV filter first.
p.1 #11 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
naturephoto1 wrote:
We have found ways around this issue if you use the Cokin P system. If you get a Cokin P 77mm filter adapter and put a little gaffers tape around the inside of the adapter ring you can place slide it onto the lens hood. Once in position you can mount a Cokin P holder. This will allow using Circular Polarizing filters in with sprockets as those purchased from Singh-Ray. This will allow you to use the Circular Polarizing filer at any focal length. It will also allow you to rotate the filter for Polarizing position correcting as the front of the lens and lens hood rotates. Using this system also allows you to use Grad ND filters as well as square or rectangular ND filters which are also available from Singh-Ray.
I also leave my lens hood on the lens all the time in the shooting position so I do not have to mount it to the lens before I shoot. I normally leave a UV filter on the lens at all times to protect the front element. For the absolute best performance from the lens when using the Cokin P sized filters I would remove the UV filter first.
Rich, thanks for the detailed explanation -- good to learn that there is a solution for polarizing filters. Regarding the UV filter, am I to understand that you remove this when doing "standard" shooting (by which I mean when you don't need to use grads or polarizers)? Or do you just remove it when you need to use the lens at the wide range?
p.1 #13 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
I use a B+W E60 UV filter too but mine will not allow enough room to use the 60 Lee adapter at longer focal lengths. Not bothered about the range restriction for filters because if I'm using 100mm grads / NDs or 105mm polariser it's always at 35mm on this lens. If I want to go longer I use either the 50/2 R Summicron or the 100/2.8 APO Macro with the appropriate 55mm or 60mm adapter ring. On a tripod, the 35-70 Elmar at 35 is every bit as good as a prime 35 R, as Erwin Puts notes in his book. As a walk around you have the additional flexibility of the zoom range but I don't use grads or polarisers in those circumstances.
johnahill wrote:
I use an old thick rimmed B&W uv filter, that way even at 70mm the front thread of the filter is just exposed enough to fit a 60mm lee adaptor onto.
p.1 #14 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
genji wrote:
Rich, thanks for the detailed explanation -- good to learn that there is a solution for polarizing filters. Regarding the UV filter, am I to understand that you remove this when doing "standard" shooting (by which I mean when you don't need to use grads or polarizers)? Or do you just remove it when you need to use the lens at the wide range?
I leave the UV filter on the lens for normal shooting regardless of the focal length adjustment from 35mm-70mm. If I am pressed for time with the Grad or ND I just attach those as well. If I have more time, I remove the UV filter and then use the Grad or ND filters.
p.1 #15 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
naturephoto1 wrote:
I leave the UV filter on the lens for normal shooting regardless of the focal length adjustment from 35mm-70mm. If I am pressed for time with the Grad or ND I just attach those as well. If I have more time, I remove the UV filter and then use the Grad or ND filters.
Rich
Sorry, I must be thick but how can you use the lens from 35mm to 70mm with the filter on if, as waterden wrote (and this matches my experience with a B+W UV filter) "the lens barrel retracts into the body as the focal length is zoomed out towards 70mm and the filters prevent this happening from around 40mm"?
p.1 #16 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
genji wrote:
Sorry, I must be thick but how can you use the lens from 35mm to 70mm with the filter on if, as waterden wrote (and this matches my experience with a B+W UV filter) "the lens barrel retracts into the body as the focal length is zoomed out towards 70mm and the filters prevent this happening from around 40mm"?
OK. As to the UV, I use the B+W 60mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter:
p.1 #17 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
As long as you use a 60mm (leica e60) filter, when zooming past 40mm the filter partially retracts into the body of the lens, but leaves enough clearence to attach a 60mm lee filter holder/adaptor on the front of the UV.
p.1 #18 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
I did find when using a 60mm UV + 60-62mm step-up + lee standard 62mm ring + 2 slot filter holder that I got some significant vignetting in the corners at 35mm.
I now use 60mm UV + Lee wide angle 60mm ring (special order i believe) + 2 slot holder - no problem
p.1 #19 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
Has anyone thought of using this lens on one of the new Sonys, with the Metabones Leica R-Sony E speed booster?
And are any models of the Leica 35–70 any better than others? I see an ƒ3.5 as well as the ƒ4 one (more expensive) so I am guessing that the latter model is the better one?
p.1 #20 · Testing the Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f4 R Lens
Three different ones.
The older 3,5, designed by Minolta but with final quality control by Leitz is reputed to be entirely surpassed by the two new ones; the f4 and the f2,8. Both of these use asperically ground elements , but only the 2,8 is clearly labelled as such. The f4 is of course smaller and lighter. It is also very much less expensive.
