Leica 180mm APO-Summicron-R f/2

Review Date
April 11, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
52Bassman , Expert

Price Paid
$3400.00 at Kurland photo

Photography Experience
11-20 years , People

Summary
I struggled with purchasing either the F2 or 2.8 version of this lens. I decided on the F2 because of the speed and the fact that with the 2x apo tele converter I would still have a working aperture of F4! The extra lightness of the 2.8 would have been nice but as far as I'm concerned both of these lenses are a bit of a pain to handle without a tripod. I have absolutely no regrets with my deciding to go for the F2.

Strengths
Fantastic image quality and colour. Black and white slides are also perfection. No need to stop the lens down at all, unless you want to control depth of field. Super contrast and sharpness. This lens is heavy, but you don't notice the heaviness when you're looking at the images this lens produces! Build quality is superlative. If you want the best look no further.

Weaknesses
None. Even the size and mass of this lens are beneficial for your arms! I look at it like it'ds my excersise regime!

Similar Products Used
Nikkor 180 2.8 Af D IF

Customer Service
None needed.

Review Date
July 17, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by
Alex Ng , Intermediate , from Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Photography Experience
6-10 years , People

Summary
Best 180 range lens ever seen, certainly not as handy or practical as the 2.8 version, but the optical quality is unrivaled....

Strengths
Truly exceptional optical quality, ultra faithful color rendition, spectacular out of focus effect at F2, ultimate build quality.

Weaknesses
Ultra heavy for a 180 lens, the weight and the shallow depth of field makes the use of at least a monopod mandatory. Ultra expensive price tag and ultra expensive series 6 PLC (hard to find, too).

Similar Products Used
Canon 200 2.8L

Customer Service
None required

Review Date
February 18, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by
David Almy , Professional , from Annapolis, Maryland USA

Photography Experience
21+ years , People

Summary
One of the gems of the Leica R line. Worth every penny because of its performance, particularly wide open at close distances for face shots.

Strengths
A hoss of a lens, built like granite.
Extraordinary at f2
Better at smaller apertures
Overall, stunning, optically and mechanically.
Internal focusing is precise, easy
Makes the neighbors think I know what I'm doing.

Weaknesses
Weighs as much as my house, costs about as much.
Difficult to use handheld

Similar Products Used
Nikon

Customer Service
V. Good