Congratulations Doug Herr - Question

[leicanut2]

Congratulations Doug on a great article and pictures in LFI it made me hunt down a 400mm and 560mm just got them today. This is my second set sold my first set a year ago just to much of a pain to use on a MP with a Visoflex. A bird would be gone by the time I got set up. But now I will wait for the new digital R to show up to use these lenses. Here is my question how do you carry around a 24 inch lens when in the field. I do not have any coat with pockets that deep. Do not want to assemble the lens every time I wanted to use it and even not assembled it still is a true monster on a lens. I really missed not having the darn thing a super lens indead.
So how do you carry it in the field??

Cheer Jan

[wildlightphoto]

Three methods:

1) I have a strap of nylon webbing over my shoulder and across my chest fitted with half of a Fastex QR buckle. The other half of the Fastex buckle is on another (short) loop of nylon webbing looped around the hand grip of the shoulder stock. I carry the lens at my side attached with the Fastex buckle.

2) I attach the monopod with tilt head, adjust the tilt head so the monopod is parallel to the lens, and hold on to the monopod.

3) monopod in ready position on shoulder stock, lens resting on my shoulder, monopod in front.

[leicanut2]

Thank You Doug,

Your pictures truly are a inspiration.

Jan

[zapp]

Originally Posted by wildlightphoto

Three methods:

1) I have a strap of nylon webbing over my shoulder and across my chest fitted with half of a Fastex QR buckle. The other half of the Fastex buckle is on another (short) loop of nylon webbing looped around the hand grip of the shoulder stock. I carry the lens at my side attached with the Fastex buckle.

2) I attach the monopod with tilt head, adjust the tilt head so the monopod is parallel to the lens, and hold on to the monopod.

3) monopod in ready position on shoulder stock, lens resting on my shoulder, monopod in front.

The report about the "birdman" probably helped to sell hundreds of 400/560 lenses as well as SL2 cameras. Raised questions about lens cams, etc. Wonderful.

[garyp]

Sadly, I no longer have my 400 6.8, but when I did, I carried it in one of those photo vests with a tripod pocket on the back. The pocket on the one I had was attached at a slight angle [like an arrow quiver might be], so I could dig out the lens without removing the vest. Didn't work too well with an SL mounted, but just for transport it was great, and the lens did not have to be broken down.
GaryP

[leicanut2]

GaryP

When I got my 400 and 560mm lenses a few weeks back the 400mm came in a leather case that leica made just for it. The lens fits really good in there broken down even
the shoulder stock fits in it. I never saw a Leica case like this for the 400 anywhere.Does anyone out there know if it is rare or hard to find?
The case has the Leica name stamped in the leather.

Cheers Jan

[garyp]

Hi Jan
Is the case one of those dark 'maroon', very soft leather cases?
Back around the advent of the R3 [I think this is correct] Leica made a case similar to the 'original' Domke bag but made from soft calfskin. There was a smaller version of it and, I believe, one for the 400.
They also made a black, rigid bag that predates those bags to carry the 400 in [broken down] as well.
I would think either of them would be relatively scarce. you may have gotten a bonus with your lenses

[leicanut2]

Hi GaryP,

The leather case for the 400 is rigid brown leather with E.LENTZ INC, ROCKLEIGH, NEW JERSEY, USA stamped on the lid. The lid is zippered and there are 4 divided compartment felt lined in the inside. It is 8-3/4 wide by 4 inches . by 9- 1/2 high.
I made a mistake saying it was a Leica stamped in the lid. Made in the states for E.Lentz..

CheersJan

[garyp]

Hi Jan
I guess eventually everything shows up on eBay;
Here's the bag for the 400 I referred to back in December
Leitz Wetzlar Telyt 1:6.8/400mm Lens Bag 400 mm Leica M on eBay, also For 35mm SLR, Film Camera Lenses, Lenses Filters, Cameras Photo (end time 06-May-08 21:34:32 BST)