Like its predecessors, the LEICA APO-ELMARIT-R f/2.8/180mm excels not only through its superb image quality, but also through its high functionality and convenient handling. Its design is based largely on that of the ELMARIT-R f/2.8/ 180mm and was even slightly improved to make it more ergonomic. Thanks to its length to bayonet flange of 132mm and its front lens diameter of 76mm, the lens has an elegant, even slim appearance. It is particularly suited for hand-held exposures, as it is convenient to hold and enables the photographer to shoot without tiring. The general optical performance of the new APO lens is praised by even the most demanding photographers. Even at full aperture its image quality is exceptionally good, and there is no need to stop down. Contrast and resolution are superb on the optical axis and throughout the entire image field.High-speed lenses with long focal lengths and the highest in image quality call for apochromatic correction. Apochromatic correction is the elimination of residual errors in the so-called secondary spectrum present in the optical system. Theses errors are particularly evident in telephoto lenses. Shortwave blue light is refracted more sharply than light at longer wavelengths (dispersion). This phenomenon causes color fringes, which reduce contrast. The apochromatic correction counterbalances this tendency by bundling the entire spectrum in a limited range. The measures that Leica took to eliminate this residual error make the APO-ELMARIT-R f/2.8/180mm one of the top lenses in its class. The image quality of the LEICA APO-ELMARIT-R f/2.8/180mm at infinity is distinguished by the virtual absence of coma, astigmatism and field curvature. Stopping down to eliminate these residual errors is therefore not necessary. In the close range, which with this lens extends down to 1.5m, the exceptional performance is retained almost in full. The APO-ELMARIT-R f/2.8/180mm offers serious LEICA photographers a fast high-performance telephoto lens, which can be used for portraits, fashion, sports or landscape photography and which meets highest demands even in difficult conditions.