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Archive 2008 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

YinYin
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

I am new here (just introduced by one of my colleagues). I want to try a Leica lens on my 5D. Does anybody have experience with the Leica 80-200/4 Vario-Elmar-R ROM? I found one on Ebay and could get it for $800 after microsoft cash back program. The lens looks in great condition and the seller seems legit with over 300 100% positive feedbacks. Just want to get some opinion before I hit the buy it now button.

Oct 31, 2008 at 11:37 PM

StevenPA
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

If you're looking for the best lightweight portrait to telephoto, then the Leica 80-200/4 is going to be hard to beat. I want one! If you're using the lens on a Canon camera, there's no need for ROM, and non-ROM versions are often cheaper. $800 after cash back doesn't seem attractive to me, what with all the hassle involved. $800 straight up seems more like it, though I've seen them go for as little as $600.

I've currently got the Contax 80-200/4, which is roughly 400g (about 40%) lighter and very nice at all apertures, making it an ideal hiking/travel lens. Because of the weight of the Leica (1kg), I think it would really benefit from a tripod collar, which it doesn't have. The Contax, although lighter, would also benefit from the same. No amount of dreaming is going to grow a tripod collar for the Contax, but the Leica *might* be able to be fitted with a Canon tripod collar with a bit of work, some of which would involved popping off the Leica "red alignment dot". The Leica has a built-in hood, which is a nice touch. The Contax doesn't have this. The Contax is also a one-touch design, whereas the Leica is a two-touch. I've not done direct comparisons between the Contax and the Leica, but everything I've read about the two says that the Leica is better optically.

Nov 01, 2008 at 12:21 AM

pdmphoto
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

It's a great lens, but make sure it's a good copy. Before buying this lens I researched it on the net and found a good share of users who said they had poor copies. My copy is great from wide open at all focal lengths, to the corners on FF.

I just looked at the ebay ad and the seller used to be a regular here. Not sure about the red dot explanation though, because the official Leica tripod ring does not require the user to remove the red dot. A Canon tripod ring can be used, that requires the red dot be removed. If you plan on using this lens with a Canon tripod mount (which I would recommend), it may be tough to get that red dot out. By the look of it, there is a bunch of glue holding it in.

cash back = trusting Microsoft and not minding the hassle

Nov 01, 2008 at 12:32 AM

StevenPA
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

Paul, I was unaware that there's a Leica tripod ring for this lens! Yes, the red dot would have to be pried off with some force if a Canon ring were to be used.

Nov 01, 2008 at 12:35 AM

pdmphoto
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

The Leica 80-200/4 is a late version lens. I think all are ROM. When I bought mine that's all I ever saw.

Nov 01, 2008 at 12:35 AM

StevenPA
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

I've seen them without ROM. Actually, I just missed out on a non-ROM version. I waited too long to decide, and it was gone. It went for a fantastic price too. Maybe the ROM unit was removed for use on older R cameras, I don't know.

Nov 01, 2008 at 12:41 AM

convert
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

YinYin wrote:...I want to try a Leica lens on my 5D. Does anybody have experience with the Leica 80-200/4 Vario-Elmar-R ROM? I found one on Ebay and could get it for $800 after microsoft cash back program....

I have this lens without ROM since 1997, and use it very often with 5D.
According to the german foto magazin, it was the best zoom ever made at the time, and it is true ! (incredible sharpness and contrast).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/convert1/
Kind regards

Nov 01, 2008 at 02:22 AM

weekh
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

I would really love to see how the Canon EF 70-200L f4 IS hold against this Leica 80-200 f4.

Nov 01, 2008 at 04:59 AM

telyt
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

Optically, it's the first zoom I've liked. It's not perfect (what is?) because there's some light fall-off at f/4 and moderate distortion at the ends of the zoom range but I have no hesitation using it at full aperture:


	http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/strigidae/eeow02.jpg


	http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/strigidae/eeow02crop.jpg

(photo made with Provia 400F)

The Leica tripod collar (STA-1) will fit if either the red dot is popped off or one of the ridges on the inner diameter of the collar is cut back to clear the red dot. isarfoto.com sells the Burzynski tripod collar for this lens, which many regard as superior to the Leica tripod collar. From the picture of the Burzynski collar on isarfoto's website it looks like the red dot isn't a problem with this collar.

Edited on Oct 27, 2009 at 12:04 AM · View previous versions

Nov 01, 2008 at 07:37 AM

Empire
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

I'm with weekh... I have a feeling that my 70-200/4L has a very good odds on matching or surpassing the leica.. It amazes me every time I use it. OK so it's not perfect at 200mm, but 135mm and below sharpness is superlative.

Colour might be in the leica's favour but i think the L is a very un-canon lens in its rendition. And the non IS version is CHEAP!

Nov 01, 2008 at 07:55 AM

telyt
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

Empire wrote:
... I have a feeling that my 70-200/4L has a very good odds on matching or surpassing the leica..

I think an objective comparison would be more instructive than a feeling. The MTF charts on photodo.com suggest the Canon is a bit better centrally and the Leica is much better toward the edges. In my own use of the Leica 80-200 I have seen that flare is very well controlled and I have yet to find any bokeh bad spots.

Nov 01, 2008 at 08:07 AM

YinYin
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

Thanks everyone for the replies. Special thank to telyt. That picture is wonderful in everyway. I think I will go for it, but I will wait 3 more days to see it if I can win the other one on Ebay that currently have only two bids on it.

I already have a Canon 135L, so I am not very interested in the Canon 70-200/4 IS. I want something different from the color and feel I get from Canon lenses.

Nov 01, 2008 at 08:20 AM

pdmphoto
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

The Canon 70-200/4 (IS or non-IS) doesn't come close to matching the sharpness at the edges of the frame, and I prefer the colors of the Leica. Ive not had a single issue with flare and bokeh is great for a zoom.

telyt wrote:
I think an objective comparison would be more instructive than a feeling. The MTF charts on photodo.com suggest the Canon is a bit better centrally and the Leica is much better toward the edges. In my own use of the Leica 80-200 I have seen that flare is very well controlled and I have yet to find any bokeh bad spots.

Nov 01, 2008 at 10:25 AM

TerryDent
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

I fitted mine with the Canon tripod collar. It works fabulous. I pried off the red dot with a knife. I was lucky not to scratch the paint! I tried mine with a modified STA-1 mount in the past. It is plastic and not very sturdy. The Canon is metal and bullet proof.

Nov 01, 2008 at 06:57 PM

phuang3
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

It's a great lens for travel. The only disadvantage (I think) would be the short focus throw which makes me harder to get exact focus sometimes.

http://www.pbase.com/phuang3/image/104098304/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/phuang3/image/104098302/original.jpg

Nov 01, 2008 at 07:48 PM

Cinstance
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

I am still a regular visitor here

, just not post much.

I can guarantee my copy is one of the sharp ones. I had some careful comparison test with the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS a couple years ago. What I can say, below 150mm, the Leica blow out the Canon in every way. At the long end, the resolution is basically a tie, but the Leica has much better, crystal clear color. The Canon, although match the resolution in the long end, appears murdy and yellowish. The differential among the color tones are just not there with the Canon lens. Not saying the Canon is bad, actullay it is one of best consumer zooms there. But the Leica really is made of higher quality materials and has better quality control.

B.T.W., if a FM member wins the item, I will give free shipping. Just mention you are a FM member in Paypal payment comments. I will refund the shipping cost via Paypal.

Nov 02, 2008 at 08:36 AM

weekh
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

Cinstance wrote:
I am still a regular visitor here

, just not post much.

I can guarantee my copy is one of the sharp ones. I had some careful comparison test with the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS a couple years ago.

A couple of years ago?
Is that the IS or non IS version?

Nov 02, 2008 at 08:43 AM

Cinstance
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

Yes, two years ago. I bought the 70-200/4 IS as soon as it came out. From the Exif file, it showed 11/26/2006. So that is the exact date I got my Canon.

Nov 02, 2008 at 08:53 AM

R10
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

The Leica 4/80-200 is a great lens. I used it quite a long time on the R8 and 5D (just replaced it with a 105-280 because it better serves my demands in terms of focal length).

As far as my experience goes with the famous Canon zooms in this range (some named above) and the corresponding lenses of Leica, Zeiss, and Minolta (MD), the 4/80-200 is only outperformed (within the league of zooms of a similar range of focal length) by the Leica APO 2.8/70-180. Edge/corner sharpness and contrast of the 4/80-200 is a pleasure (in the center anyway), already at f4, and color rendition comply with top Leica standards.

There are actually two versions, non-ROM and ROM (serial number <37... and >37..., rsp.). Optically, they are identical but the ROM version provides, unlike the non-ROM version, the possibility to focus beyond infinity, which is considered to make focussing around infinity a bit easier. I had the non-ROM version and never missed that very feature.

Btw, I never heard (or experienced) that there is noticeable sample variation among new(!) Leica lenses. The Leica standard of centering is unrivalled. I experienced sample variation and severe decentering with quite a few Canon L lenses though.

Edited on Nov 11, 2008 at 06:34 PM · View previous versions

Nov 10, 2008 at 08:09 PM

robsteve
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Leica 80-200 f4 ROM

R10:

I think the 105-280mm may perform better than the 80-200mm, especially in the longer end. Years ago, when I was shooting slides, I compared the two lenses and the 105-280mm had a slight edge in quality.

Robert

Nov 11, 2008 at 12:48 AM

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