[LRflex] Re: Leica R lens 28-70mm zoom ?

I had the same question a few months ago.  Here is what I found on Google.
   
  Hope this helps.  Ed.
   
  Older Zooms  There are a number of short 28 or 35-70mm R zooms available, 
which one is the "best"? 
  Short answer - the #11277 "Vario-Elmar-R 35mm-70mm ?4.0". 
  Long answer? 
  The Vario-Elmar-R 28-70mm ?3.5-4.5 lenses (the #11364 and earlier #11265) are 
Sigma built and don't have an amazing reputation for mechanical or optical 
performance. (See Dr Joseph Yao's remarks below.) 
  The Minolta-sourced Vario-Elmar-R 35-70mm ?3.5 (#11244) had problems with 
vignetting when used with filters and the lens head rotated when focused, 
making it a pain to use with polarizing filters. The updated version of this 
lens, the Solms produced #11244, fixed a lot of the mechanical problems but it 
is still remains a older-style Minolta lens with a minimum focusing distance of 
only 1m. 
  The Vario-Elmarit-R 35-70mm ?2.8 ASPH is of course the performance champ, but 
as discussed elsewhere in this FAQ they have become impossible to buy and are 
super-expensive collectors items. 
  Which leaves by process of elimination the #11277 Solms-designed / Kyocera 
manufactured 35-70mm ?4.0. A bit slow (?2.8 would be better), but it focuses 
down to 60cm for macro work and features robust mechanical construction with an 
ASPH element. 
  In July 2002, Lisa Fiel sent me a note asking for details on which of the 
short zooms was better for high quality work. At the time I wasn't up to speed 
on this topic so I referred her to noted R-Zoom dealer and collector, Dr Joseph 
Yao. 
  The following is an edited copy of the reply he sent Ms Fiel (reproduced with 
permission): 
  There have been two versions of Leica R 28-70/3.5-4.5 zoom lens. In the early 
'90s, Leica borrowed a Sigma-designed 28-70/3.5-4.5 and had Sigma build it in 
Japan, to Leica standard, we were told. Optically it was not bad but 
mechanically it was not much better than a regular Sigma lens. A few years ago, 
the same lens was re-designed mechanically (but remained the same optically) 
and production was transferred to Kyocera, also in Japan. The build and 
mechanics of this lens improved substantially, but optically, I have to say the 
35-70/4.0, launched in 1997, is much better. Both the latest 28-70/3.5-4.5 and 
35-70/4.0 share the same mount and build, only the optics are different. The 
latter is a true Leica-designed lens, both optically and mechanically. The 
28-70/3.5-4.5 is a Sigma-designed lens, optically. 
 
If you have the option, I would get he 35-70/4.0 instead. Let's see if your 
dealer can exchange it for you. 
 
There is a comprehensive review of this lens by Erwin Puts at: 
 
<imx.nl/photosite/leica/rseries/testr/ve43570.html> 
 
As a Leica importer, dealer, user and collector, I have to admit the Kyocera QC 
is probably better than that of Leica Germany. While the latest 28-70/3.5-4.5 
is a good lens mechanically, I feel the optics could be better, especially at 
its price. [?] FWIW, I export a lot of Leica to a number of NYC dealers.   A 
day later, Dr Yao added: 
  The current VE 35-70/4.0 ROM (11277) has constant aperture of ?4.0, whereas 
the VE 28-70/3.5-4.5 offers ?3.5 at 28mm, but down to ?4.5 at 70mm. IMHO, 
constant aperture is an important feature. 
 
With ?4.0, you lose half a stop compared to ?3.5 at the shorter end, but you do 
gain in terms of optical quality. The VE 28-70/3.5-4.5 is a good lens, but the 
VE 35-70/4.0 is better still! 
 
In summary: 
 
11265 VE 28-70/3.5-4.5
Launched in 1990, discontinued in 1997 Sigma designed optics, Sigma designed 
mechanics, built by Sigma, with some Leica input 
 
11364 VE 28-70/3.5-4.5 ROM
Launched in 1997, current model Sigma designed optics, Leica designed 
mechanics, built by Kyocera (i.e. Optically same as 11265) 
 
11277 VE 35-70/4.0 ROM
Launched in 1997, current model Leica optics, Leica designed mechanics, built 
by Kyocera 
 
Mechanically and cosmetically, both 11364 and 11277 are identical. I offer the 
current 28-70/3.5-4.5 (11364) and 35-70/4.0 ROM (11277) at US$799 each.   

Steve Barbour <kididdoc@xxxxxxx> wrote:
  Does anyone know this lens, and it's quality especially compared to 
the 35-70 R zoom?


thanks, Steve
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