Telescope adapter?

[bcorton]

Has anyone actually used the Leica TO-R telescope ocular adapter that fits R lenses? Or does anyone know where I might find specs on the item (apparent field of view, eye relief, etc.) I do know how to calculate the magnification factor.

I'm curious about the possibilities of using my 80-200 Vario-Elmar R as a makeshift telescope for those motorcycle trips when I have to travel super-light and don't need high magnification. (As if magnification were a "need.")

Any tips would be helpful. Thanks for reading.

Brent

[bcorton]

OK, I'll take that as a "no."

[rgfenn]

I have used the Ocular R. It attaches to your lens and comes with a built in x12 eye piece that is permanent fixed. It allow you to use your telephoto lens as spoting scopes, but is limited especially if you want to use your lens as a telescope.

Cheers

[lll]

I like it!

In dawn it combines perfectly with the Summilux 50, but normally I fit it to the APO-Vario 70-180. Both combinations give you a very good, crisp sharp view, but especially the latter one is quite clumsy. For the price of the TO-R you are getting a good 8 or 10x25 or 32, which you can use even without having all the camera equipment with you. So for me it´s not a substitute for a binocular but a nice "to have" when I´m already carrying my camera bag.

KR Friedhelm

[john_f]

Brent,

According to my old Leica R8 brochure, here is the description of the "Telescope-Ocular LEICA TO-R" :

"LEICA-R normal, telephoto and vario lenses become telescopes to identify subject matter or as observation instruments.
The 3-element ocular has a focal length of 12.5mm. By dividing the focal length of the lens by this value [12.5], one can obtain the corresponding magnification factor. According to the formula, a 90mm lens would produce a 7.2x magnification and a 180mm would achieve a factor of 14.4x. The Telescope-Ocular is simply attached to the quick-change bayonet R-lens mount and is then ready for use. The integrated roof prism corrects the image for proper viewing.
Focusing is done via the focus ring on the lens. The rubber eyecup facilitates problem-free viewing with or without eyeglasses. By way of +/- 3 diopter compensation, the LEICA TO-R can be adjusted to your vision."

Leica Product Code 14 243 (now discontinued but was still listed in the August 2000 Leica general catalogue).

According to the above text, your Vario-Elmar-R 80-200mm would yield a magnification between 6.4x (at 80mm) and 16x (at 200mm). A really interesting gadget from Leica. Too bad they stopped selling it.

Cheers,

John F.

[john_f]

Wait a minute ... I take back what I wrote! B&H Photo in New York still has it for sale - they're asking US $299.95 for it.

See http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...list&sku=30579

Best regards,

John F.

[bcorton]

Thanks everyone.

How is the eye-relief on this? If it is a three-element occular, I'm guessing it is a Kellner design or a variation on it. If so, eye-relief would be on the tight side and the apparent field of view about 40-50 degrees? Have those who have used it found this to be the case?

Brent

[nbgronlie]

-- From Leica's Instructions for the TO-R --

Roof prism system: Schmidt-Pechan

Exit pupil diameter: Dependent on the set lens aperture and the limitation of the prism system; max diameter 3.78

Back focus of exit pupil: 12.7 mm (slight limitations for eyeglass wearers)

Diameter of the field of view opening: 12 mm

I have found optical quality to be very high and image circle plenty wide but I do not wear eyeglasses when viewing.

Regards,