Anyone using a Leica R 28-90 f2.8-4.5 as a docco style walk around Zoom ?

[Matt Uhry]

Hi Lensaholics

Is Anyone using a Leica 28-90 2.8-4.5 on their Epic ? I'm looking for a good mechanics full frame zoom that can play well in EF mount. A bit longer range than 50mm at the long end. Other options might be the canon 24-70's, 24-105 etc. I have a Contax 28-85 and it's not rocking my world and I'll probably stick it on ebay in the next few.

If you're using it can you tell me about how much it trombones when zoomed or focused ?
characterize the light loss as you get towards tele?
How even is the field illumination ?
Generally nice for hand held ? do you prefer barrel or follow focus focusing ?
how are you filtering ?
Contrast / Color / Resolution / CA up to snuff ?
Is it Parfocal ? Pretty much or dead on ?
Anything else ?

I checked out a leica 70-180 during salt 2 and was quite impressed - is it on a par with one of those ?

Thanks
Matt

 

[Brian D. Goff]

Use it a lot on a TV-Show I shoot from time to time.

"If you're using it can you tell me about how much it trombones when zoomed or focused ?" - about 30mm

"characterize the light loss as you get towards tele?" - like up to 40mm you don't notice much, then pretty even increase the rest of the way

"How even is the field illumination ?" - I would say very good

"Generally nice for hand held ?" do you prefer barrel or follow focus focusing ? - good for hand held, I prefer barrel focusing

"how are you filtering ?" - got a helipan variND or use the mattbox.

"Contrast / Color / Resolution / CA up to snuff ?" - fits nice with the other Leicas / resolution slightly below the R primes, but better edge sharpness / no noticable CA like most Leica's

"Is it Parfocal ? Pretty much or dead on ?" - yes, is pretty much dead on all the way


"Anything else ?" - if you want a matching zoom to the 70-180 (resolution wise), then there's no way round the 35-70 f2.8

 

[Matt Uhry]

Thanks so much Brian - very helpful answers.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com