Hi all and thanks to all who have responded to my query. Much appreciated!
@wilco23: I agree with you - if you pay that much for a lens, it better be (near) perfect. I know there is no such thing as perfection, since lens design is all about trade-offs. However and FWIW, even my 'lowly' Tele-Tessar 85/4 ZM has much more optimally shaped aperture blades.
As I stated in my previous post, my intended use of the A-E 180/2.8 is with the D800E. With such a high-res sensor, diffraction becomes noticeable at f/5.6 to f/8. Therefore, it is important to me that the lens is 'well behaved' at all apertures from wide open to f/11. Unfortunately, this seems to be the range where the ninja star issue on the A-E 180/2.8 is at its worst.
@Almass: you said "The 180/2.8 APO VII shows Ninja, albeit to a lesser extent that VI". Does this mean that you have a VII-version (P/N 11357, S/N ≥ 4000000)? If so, could you post images of what the aperture looks like @ f/4 and f/5.6?
Also, you said "I would not use a long Tele for backlit or front lit Macro shots anyway. I would use the 100/2.8 Macro on a tripod". I agree regarding macro - that's what I use my Makro-Planar 100/2 and 50/2 for. However, with nature photography, you often can't get close enough to the subject (still wishing for a magic carpet). Experience shows that I would use the APO-ELMARIT primarily near its close-focus limit, and shallow DOF (combined with pleasing bokeh) is one of the main reasons for me to use an 180mm f/2.8 lens in the first place.
telyt wrote:
You found me. This lens is #1 on my want list. Unfortunately my piggy bank can handle no more than a couple of SD cards
Doug,
It is a beautiful system. I had the opportunity as I have mentioned to use the larger modular system of the 400mm f2.8 and the 800mm 5.6. Leica USA was kind enough to loan me this system for a month in February of 1998. Outstanding performance. Now though, I opted for the f4 280mm Apo Telyt lens that you have and love. It is so much smaller, lighter and so much more compact with the 1.4X and 2X Apo extenders. And we are both aging.
I was just able to purchase an APO-ELMARIT 180/2.8 with S/N 389xxxx at a good price. Below an image of the aperture of this lens at f/8. Looks good to me! Many thanks again for all your help!
Edit: I have the whole series from f/4 through f/11. They all look good. Die, Ninja!
NB: I just received confirmation from Leica that the conversion of this lens (for 1.4x APO-TC compatibility) is no longer possible. They no longer have the replacement rear element in stock.
Worldinlens wrote:
Ron, from which f/? the ninja going to another galaxy and aperture's shape clear?
See edit in my previous post. I have images of all full stops from f/4 to f/11 - all good.
I'll post an image of the series...
Ron Pfister wrote:
See edit in my previous post. I have images of all full stops from f/4 to f/11 - all good.
I'll post an image of the series...
Seems that this really lucky (with serial lens for 3000-4000$ from famous brand !!! ), especially considering voiced small statistics before.
For Win: buddy, if mine copy with same aperture as yours (your copy also 389xxxx as from Ron), I think I need understanding of the internal adjustment aperture's unit inside R180/2.8. Sure, that if the all parts inside similar and so - no any impossible things
P.S. But if the aperture blades has constant non-moving axis than only blade's shape affect this
I wonder if Leica actually changed the aperture assembly at some point *before* introducing P/N 11357. My lens is 3897xxx, and I know of 3895xxx examples that do exhibit 'Ninja Star'. Once I receive the lens, I will post images that show the shape of the aperture blades. Then we can compare...
Sorry for off-topic
), especially considering voiced small statistics before. 
