Leica APO Summicron R 180 f2. Was this the best 35mm lens ever made?

[Joyfully]

I have read that the APO Summicron R 180 f2 was the best 35mm Leica ever produced and indeed described as the best 35mm lens of all manufacturers. Why is it considered so good. I know it was very expensive. I see a Dutch dealer has two on offer at over £8,000!!

 

[msadat]

no

 

[Bags27]

no

Clever, sort of. I think the OP--especially in his/her very first post: welcome!!---deserves the benefit of your valued opinion.

Here at least is the production and technical information.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/180mm_f/2_APO-Summicron-R

I'm sure everyone who loves photography has his/her "best lens", because lenses are like the paint an artist chooses: they are used to create a picture, and it really depends on what type of picture you want to create. Beyond the technical aspects of a lens that can be measured are the highly subjective intangibles that defy measurement.

--
Sharpness is a bourgeois concept -- Henri Cartier-Bresson

 

[David Kieltyka]

Dunno if it's the best 135 format lens ever made but it's certainly among the heaviest, particularly for its focal length. As with the other late R mount tele lenses it features a no-compromise design. As someone who avoids tripods, for my purposes the 180/4 Elmar is a better lens.

-Dave-

 

[Lord Lucan]

I have read that the APO Summicron R 180 f2 was the best 35mm Leica ever produced and indeed described as the best 35mm lens of all manufacturers. Why is it considered so good. I know it was very expensive. I see a Dutch dealer has two on offer at over £8,000!!

Welcome to Leicaland.

All APO Summicrons are among the very best. For some users 50 APO Summicron ASPH

has taken best category. The 90 APO ASPH is my favorite.

 

[deepiReview]

No and it is not a 35mm lens.

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instagram.com/photosbyeerajq
https://eerajqaisar.smugmug.com
https://www.facebook.com/ejqtravel

 

[Bags27]

No and it is not a 35mm lens.

This is a really tough crowd for a noobie. What would you call a lens intended for an R SLR? I'd call it intended for a 35mm camera.

 

[deepiReview]

I would just call it a lens. OP can refer to this goldmine of information on R lenses if interested:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4dENtC-VAIhdUtoaG1JQlRuOU0/view?usp=sharing

APO Telyt 280 can be called the best. So can the SL 50 Summilux. Or the M 35 Summilux FLE. It depends on the criteria. Sometimes my "best" lenses remained at home due to massive size like the one that OP is asking about. In other words they were best but impractical to use except on tripod in studio. I sold all the monster sized ones and kept the one that I think is the best: APO Elmarit-R 180.

------
instagram.com/photosbyeerajq
https://eerajqaisar.smugmug.com
https://www.facebook.com/ejqtravel

 

[Bags27]

I would just call it a lens. OP can refer to this goldmine of information on R lenses if interested:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4dENtC-VAIhdUtoaG1JQlRuOU0/view?usp=sharing

APO Telyt 280 can be called the best. So can the SL 50 Summilux. Or the M 35 Summilux FLE. It depends on the criteria. Sometimes my "best" lenses remained at home due to massive size like the one that OP is asking about. In other words they were best but impractical to use except on tripod in studio. I sold all the monster sized ones and kept the one that I think is the best: APO Elmarit-R 180.

Your website is fantastic. You are one talented photographer.