Leica Vario-Elmar 80-200mm f/4 Reviews

An excellent tele-zoom from Leica again! Originally, I had the famous 70-180 APO, and later on, I decided to purchase this zoom for its light weight and small in size. This zoom is designed in Germany, but manufactured in Japan by Kyocera. The build quality is identical on both lenses. However, there are few points I have to mention. Optically, they shared almost same formula, but the 70-180 APO in my experience is sharper even at f2.8. It also has a bit more contrast than 80-200/4@f4.0. I think the difference in their price would explain this. Besides, the focus ring on 80-200 is too steep, it's very easy to get mis focus if you turn too much. At this point, it's very similar to 35-70/f4 which is also manufactured by Kyocera. This lens has a minimum focus of 1.1m that is very helpful on close ups. Stop down, its performance is on par with 70-180APO and still, better than other competitors.

One of the best buys of my photographic career. Not a light lens, but slim and easily handled. In fact it will slip into the bottom of a continental style briefcase. Optically, this lens leaves little to be desired, producing crisp images across almost all of the field, even at full aperture. When set to 135mm, it is as good as the 135mm Elmarit R at f/4. Handling of this lens is excellent and can be hand held with surprising ease. The only negative point I can raise, which may be peculiar to my lens, is that in hot weather, if the lens is hanging down, the zoom ring will slowly unwind to the 200mm position, and can catch one off guard for the next grab shot. The camera/lens is best cradled in the left arm in such situations.
Apart from this tiny point, the lens has full marks from me.