My new 400/6.8 and questions

[SteveYork]

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I've got one of these lenses for an upcoming nature trip. It hasn't been used yet, but it promises to be a unique experience w/ its' sliding focus and length. But I do have two questions.

 

 

(1) On the top of the viewfinder, when this lens is attached, there is a dark band, almost like a deep shadow, extending down the viewfinder, no more then 3-4% at most. Is that normal? The lens glass looks pristine, other then dust.

 

 

(2) What is the rotating locking device near the base near where the lens attaches to the camera? Is that where an extension tube goes?

 

 

W/o the shoulder stock, which I have no intention of using, this lens is very light, somewhere I would guess around 1200g or so. It's lighter then the 350/4.8, which itself only comes in at around 1800g, but because of the 400/6.8 long length probably at least a monopod will be required.

 

 

Any help on the above questions, or any other tidbits regarding the use of this lens would be much appreciated.

[Guest wls.shanghai]

1) is normal - no worry

 

2) rotating - you can use it for "landscape format" or "panel (portrait) format"

if you work with a tripod etc.

 

(the "extension tube" is for macro shots only)

 

wls

Edited July 11, 2009 by wls.shanghai

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[Martin K]

Hi Steve,

The 400/6,8 Telyt is a very nice lens to use once you get used to the sliding focus. The dark band in your viewfinder I would guess is from mirror cutoff - the mirror in the camera is not long enough. You will not see it in the pictures. It is more pronounced in the Leicaflex SL and SL2 than in the later R series cameras. The rotating locking device lets you change the camera from horizontal to vertical when the lens is mounted on a tripod. The extention tube, there was one available, is inserted between the lens head and the bayonet tube. To insert it you have to unscrew the locking collar just behind the slide for inserting the filters. Just be careful with the locking collar, the thread is very fine and you cross-thread it very easily, leading to an expensive repair job.

Kind regards, Martin

[SteveYork]

Thanks for all the quick and informative replys. I should also have mentioned that I have a 350/4.8 in the house too. Don't ask why I have both lenses, it's Leica, and one will be packing its' bags in time. But I don't see the same shadowy band on the 350.

[giordano]

Thanks for all the quick and informative replys. I should also have mentioned that I have a 350/4.8 in the house too. Don't ask why I have both lenses, it's Leica, and one will be packing its' bags in time. But I don't see the same shadowy band on the 350.

 

I'm pretty sure that's because the 350 is of slight telephoto construction and has its exit pupil much closer to the film plane than the 400/6.8, which is a simple achromat (2 elements cemented together).

[Guest wls.shanghai]

....just for inspection

 

Telyt 6.8/400

Leicaflex SL2

 

Kodachrome

 

wls

[SteveYork]

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And at a mere 1300 gr. (sans brace) it can't be beat. I knew those old Leica Fotographie magazines would come in handy some day. They're a wealth of information for the old stuff. I guessed it was 1200 grams. It is such a light lens for a long focal length.

[SteveYork]

I meant "without shoulder stock," not brace.

[Guest Krahlmann]

Feargod Crailman says: Yes!!!

... And: No!!!

[tobey bilek]

Just the mirror being a bit short on Leicaflex and Leicaflex SL. SL2 solved the problem with a longer mirror that retracts as it goes up. Many manufactures had the problem.