Leica R mid-tele options

[film_man]

Hi,

I'm looking for a long-ish lens for my R8 so have been looking at the 135-180mm range. From what I see my options for my are:

135/2.8 version 1 (about £150-200)
135/2.8 version 2 (about £200-250)
180/2.8 version 1 (about £300)
180/2.8 version 2 (£400-500)
180/3.5 APO (£600+ which is kind of stretching it too much)
180/2.8 APO (£2k+ crazy money not interested)
180/2 APO (£5k crazy money not interested)

From what I have read, the 180/2.8 v1 is not much good so I would rather look between the 135/2.8 v1 & v2 and 180/2.8 v2. My question is, are these two lenses any good and how would they compare to the 35 and 50 Summicrons that I have. I can't find much on the 135, is that an indifferent lens? Also what are the differences between the v1 and v2?

The 135 would probably be my preferred length as it kind of gives me a good jump from 50 (longest I have now) without getting in the long range the 180 is. However if it is not good as a lens I'd rather pass and get the 180.

Thanks

 

[summicron1]

Don't pay a lot of attention to folks who say this version, or that, is better or worse. The differences are pretty subjective or the sort of thing that can only be appreciated on an optical bench. For example, I have an early Japanese-made R-zoom (28-70, as I recall) that gets low marks from folks because it was made to Leica specs by a Japanese firm, but the key there is "Leica specs."

It's darn good, and the lens tests in the most recent leica lens book verify this, although if you look around you'll find it selling for a lot less than the German-made ones.

Bottom line: Get the cheapest lens you can find that fits your needs. The 135 early version is absolutely fine. Your ability as a photographer has a FAR bigger impact on how your pictures come out, and Leica didn't make any bad glass.

 

[summicron1]

as to versions of the 135 -- version one, I believe, used a series 7 filter, version 2 used a 55mm (I think) filter. Other than that, they are pretty much the same. The Leica Pocket Book says the version 2 has a different optical design, but the test results, and description, are pretty much identical. I have an earlier version.

Excellent lens. Built like a tank. If you have an R8 you may need one that has that ROM coding on its mount, but I think they'll all work. Leica only made this one 135mm lens, and made the same lens for 30-plus years, the book says, and if Leica couldn't find a way to improve it, I'd say it's pretty good.

 

[film_man]

Ok that sounds good then, I'll get myself a 135! Looks like there is very little price difference between the v1 and v2 so I'll go for the v2, will be newer and have a 55mm filter too to match my two Summicrons.