Leica S 180mm f/3.5 APO-Elmar-S update

I’ve clarified some comments on the Leica 180mm f/3.5 APO-Elmar-S in my August 1 entry— I don’t want anyone to walk away thinking that the 180mm is a bad lens in general just because I had bad luck with one sample.

In particular, it should be clear from my other writing (including Brand-new Blur), that no brand is immune from issues, even Leica— there is always room for a “bad sample”. That said, my fairly extensive experience with Leica “glass” has been almost entirely free of issues, in stark contrast to certain other brands. So I suppose there is a first time for everything (eg Leica).

I do hope to revisit the 180/3.5 APO-Elmar-S when another sample (and S2) can be obtained, because it was clear to me that its potential optical quality is outstanding (setting aside this one sample’s slight asymmetry). In fact, I doubt if a better lens exists in its focal length, though no doubt there are some of similar caliber.