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The APO 2X Extender


johnbuckley

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I'm hoping some of the R aficionados, and particularly any who have used the APO 2X extender with their M (typ 240), can help me calibrate my expectations, and help me get off the fence about buying one. Next summer, my family is likely to go to Africa on safari for the first time. I have a Vario-Elmar-R 80-200 and think it is an excellent long lens. But rather than buying a hugely expensive longer R fixed or zoom lens, would the combination of this lens with the 2X extender make sense? I know you lose two stops with it, but than doesn't bother me too much. I appreciate any advice. Thank you. JB

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The 2X Apo Extender is really excellent, but I have no experience of its use with the lens you mention. However, Brian Bower, in his book Leica Reflex Photography, says of this lens: Can be used with the 2X Apo Extender but best performance with this combination requires that the lens be stopped down one or two stops.

 

So if he's right that's going to make it f/11 or f/16 then, and at these focal lengths you're going to need a high shutter speed too. Good job the new M has a rather more extended high ISO capability!

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I'm hoping some of the R aficionados, and particularly any who have used the APO 2X extender with their M (typ 240), can help me calibrate my expectations, and help me get off the fence about buying one. Next summer, my family is likely to go to Africa on safari for the first time. I have a Vario-Elmar-R 80-200 and think it is an excellent long lens. But rather than buying a hugely expensive longer R fixed or zoom lens, would the combination of this lens with the 2X extender make sense? I know you lose two stops with it, but than doesn't bother me too much. I appreciate any advice. Thank you. JB

 

 

Have you ever considered using a camera with a crop factor of 1.5x or 2x (and not losing 1 or 2 f-stops) instead of using extenders?

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Which is usually the same as simply cropping a larger image ;) Seriously, it would mean taking a second camera system.

 

The Apo-extender is an excellent performer, I have even used it stacked with the1.4x extender with quite good results. I would not hesitate to use it wide open on a lens like the 80-200.

 

You are quite likely to get some nice safari shots with the set, as for the slowish speed of the combo, just take a beanbag (empty). Any safari camp kitchen can provide you with rice or beans to fill it with.

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Revisiting the Selous and Ruaha this year :) Looking forward to it, although the last one fifteen years ago was unforgettable and unrepeatable. Thirteen good African Hunting Dog sightings in twelve days :eek: Four packs.

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Which is usually the same as simply cropping a larger image ;) Seriously, it would mean taking a second camera system.

 

The Apo-extender is an excellent performer, I have even used it stacked with the1.4x extender with quite good results. I would not hesitate to use it wide open on a lens like the 80-200.

 

You are quite likely to get some nice safari shots with the set, as for the slowish speed of the combo, just take a beanbag (empty). Any safari camp kitchen can provide you with rice or beans to fill it with.

 

 

Well, no, not really - if you use an extender on the larger format camera.

You lose an f-stop or two and you get some degradation through the extenders.

I also have a few APO-Extender-R 1.4x and 2x.

Indeed, they are very good but not perfect.

Just use several extenders on a lens at the same time and it's easy to spot the lower performance. :eek:

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The sun-and you- will rise at six and burn you at 6.30. You will be back in camp at something like ten. The dusk game drive will start at 16.00 in the full heat and only at 17.30 you will start to feel it cool down. In the tropics dawn and dusk are short. The sun goes down like thunder. Most camps offer all-day activities as well. What month are you going and where?

Edited by jaapv
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I like the idea but the APO version is expensive. More than some really good older R lenses.

 

Are the really that much better than the earlier standard extenders?

 

Now for some guy who appreciates Ruf automobiles don't you want the best offered. I would get nothing but an APO especially when Leica APO's are in a league of their own. Cheaper than buying more lenses.

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I bought my APO 2X at the end of 1999. Three weeks later when I returned from a holiday I showed some 11x14 enclargements to my Leica salesman. He couldn't believe the quality since his experience using the 2X was only the non-APO version. It's that good, and I was using it with the 80-200 zoom. I've since used that combination in many countries, including several in Africa.

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