Has any one used the R 180 f4? I was wondering how it compares with the other 180 lenses. I don't mind giving up some speed in exchange for a smaller and lighter lens as it will complement rather than duplicate gear I have in other mounts. I will use it with both an R6.2 and an SL.

thank you in advance for your advice.

greg mason

-- greg mason (gmason1661@aol.com), December 06, 2001

Answers

Greg: I'm working on a similar decicion - here's a link to some previous info - including 180 f/4 comments.

LINK

My impression is that it is essentially the same image quality as the most recent non-APO f/2.8 - just slower. Still looking for one to try out, myself.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), December 06, 2001.

I owned a 180/4 for a while and used it mostly for portraits. I liked the results. Of course, it doesn't have the critical sharpness of APO lenses but I found its bokeh really nice. It's small and lightweight, has a built-in sliding shade and takes E55 filters.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), December 06, 2001.

I've had a 180 Elmar-R since 1977. There are times I wished it was a bit faster but then it would also be bigger and heavier. It's color rendition is the same as my other lenses of the period (28, 60, 90). It's contrast is excellent.

I used this lens extensively when I lived in Europe to isolate architectural details and for landscape photos. I've also used it with a 2X extender but it's really too slow for this combination to work well. However, one experiment I tried was to photograph Hummel figurines on K25 with the extender and the results were amazing.

Because of it's size and weight, it's always in my bag.

Now that I'll be using ISO 100 film more than K25, lens speed won't be so much of a problem.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), December 06, 2001.

I had one for 3 years and liked it a lot. It is excellent and compact. I recommend it. I replaced it with an Apo-Telyt, which is half a stop faster and undoubtedly superior, but as with many optical issues you notice it largely in comparison. I replaced it only because the Telyt was a half stop faster and because it is a legendary lens so I was intrigued to see if it really was better, not because the f4 was poor. The 180/f4 is a bargain and I suggest you buy one and try it. I doubt you will be disappointed.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), December 06, 2001.