wildlightphoto Posted November 22, 2009 Share #21 Posted November 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Irrespective of published MTF data has anyone any experience/opinions of the 350/4.8 Telyt R? I won't guess what the pricing is based on, but having compared the 350mm f/4.8 Telyt with the 280mm f/4 APO + 1.4x APO-Extender-R, I have to say that I'm totally spoiled by the 280's image quality. Nothing else seems good enough any more. The 350's strengths compared with the 280+1.4x are bokeh and flare resistance. The 350's flare resistance is remarkable. It's image quality otherwise is a bit low contrast at full aperture and it loses some detail in the outer areas to chromatic abberation. It's also slower to focus than the internal-focus 280. As originally built the 350 can use the 2x extenders but not the 1.4x however a simple and reversible modification makes it compatible with the 1.4x APO Extender. Here are a few photos made with the 350: http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/strigidae/nsow01.jpg http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/tytonidae/baow00.jpg http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/accipitridae/swha00.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 22, 2009 Posted November 22, 2009 Hi wildlightphoto, Take a look here VE 105-280 or APO 280/4?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 22, 2009 Share #22 Posted November 22, 2009 Thank you for the interesting comments and images Doug. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
holmes Posted December 1, 2009 Share #23 Posted December 1, 2009 My two cents worth. I bought a very beautiful 105-280 f 4.2 with no regrets. The results are excellent from side to side. The focal range covers most of your intermediate lengths allowing you to spend your money on a trip taking pictures. Putts has some very good comments regarding this lens and the R 35-70 f 4 (Germany). I have the late edition of the R 250 f 4. and the R 180 f 4 (early). A very good case could be made by having two lenses, the 105-280 and the 35-70, with maybe the 90 f 2 for in between and shutter speed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted July 16, 2010 Share #24 Posted July 16, 2010 Hello, I just acquired VE 105-280 and wondering what tripod plate (Arca Swiss compatible) you use. I found on KIRK web site type LP-42, it comes with one 1/4'' screw and retention pin, it is advertised for both APO 280f4 and APO VE 70-180; would this work on VE105-280. There is also Leica clamp on RRS but it doesn't look much different from Wimberly P-20/P-30 (with end stops) plates i use on Nikon lenses Many thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
holmes Posted July 16, 2010 Share #25 Posted July 16, 2010 Since I don't have nor anticipating anytime in the future of getting the 280 f 4 APO, I can only discourse on the lens I do have being 105-280 f 4. I am very happy when the owner of the store recommending the 105-280. Since that time, about a year it has delivered incredibly good chromes and B&Ws. It allows me to frame and focus at the extreme and then zoom in to the desired length. Way you should use a zoom anyway. It is hand holdable, and a Canon strap fits very well into the lens strap holders. One Leica for the camera and one Canon for the lens. I have found that it works very well on or off a monopod. The head is rotational. I was very surprised when I came across the website for one of the big NYC new/used dealer's. they have a 105-280 f 4. Those fellows know the value of what they are buying and selling. I'm not going to quote price. You can look it up if your interested. All I said was Wow! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryee3 Posted July 17, 2010 Share #26 Posted July 17, 2010 Does anyone like the apo 280/2.8 non modular or is the 289/4 the one to get even though its an f4. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted July 17, 2010 Share #27 Posted July 17, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone like the apo 280/2.8 non modular or is the 289/4 the one to get even though its an f4.Thanks! I've compared the 280mm f/2.8 non-modular with the 280mm f/4 and I much prefer the f/4: closer minimum focus distance smoother bokeh sharp sharp sharp to the extreme corners even at full aperture & with extenders visibly "pops" into focus more than the f/2.8 lighter weight handier tripod mount for my subjects the DOF at f/2.8 is almost always too shallow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted July 17, 2010 Share #28 Posted July 17, 2010 The 280 is a diffraction limited lens, ie is as good as it get at 4.0 and the only defects you will see are a result of diffraction at small stops. Difraction is an defect that occures when light passes an edge like the diaphragm. It is in all lenses and can not be designed out. This is perhaps the gem lens of Leica R. Get a 180 2.8 APO or 180 2.8 compact second version to fill the gap. The 350 4.8 is a very good lens, up to the pinacle of tele designs before the APO teles were introduced. I have the 250 4.0 companion and it a wonderful lens. The zoom is a decent but not legendary lens. I avoid zooms were possible, any zoom made be anybody. Although later ones are quite good like the 80/200 70/180. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 17, 2010 Share #29 Posted July 17, 2010 I've never used the 105-280, but the 280/4 APO is IMHO one of if not the nicest lens ever made. As someone said, it's better than the non-modular 2.8. Also I agree +1 about the handier tripod collar. The 2.8's clicks (and somewhat loosely at that) only at 90 degree stops, so unless your tripod is leveled, it's a pain. The f/4 has a typical locking knob you can lock it at any position. I had the 80-200/4 and the 280/4, which gave me a wider range than the 105-280. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted July 18, 2010 Share #30 Posted July 18, 2010 I've converted my VE 105-280 to a Sony Alpha mount & use it on the Sony Alpha 850, I'm quite pleased with the results. At the time I was also considering the 280 but opted for the zoom, for more flexibility. I'm not a big fan of zoom lenses, however the VE105-280 is probably one of the sharpest zooms ever made. Some samples here- it's not that heavy, these were all hand held: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/124799-clutching-straws.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/118035-2-out-187-a.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/130599-new-cat-block-x2-pics.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
holmes Posted July 18, 2010 Share #31 Posted July 18, 2010 In regard to the question of sizing the Arca-Swiss plate. For the 105-280 f 4 ( and other heavy lenses) I use the stock number of 802007. Quick set device, flip-lock, 1/4 inch thread and the base is 84mm. Remember the greatest amount of vibration comes from the head, followed by that damn center post when extended. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted July 19, 2010 Share #32 Posted July 19, 2010 Mike, I suspect it is your conversion that is shown on Leitax website. The fact that APO280mm f4 is rare/expensive and leitax conversion is problematic due to loss of the internal shroud it triggered me into purchasing VE 105-280. Decision was also influenced by the fact that i managed to locate pristine & inexpensive copy. I have ordered special APO 180f2 bayonet but with 10 holes and will keep my conversion reversable (just in case). So far i managed to convert 28f2.8 V2, 80f1.4 & APO 180f2.8, some of samples are on my flickr page. Flickr: mmradman's Photostream I've converted my VE 105-280 to a Sony Alpha mount & use it on the Sony Alpha 850, I'm quite pleased with the results. At the time I was also considering the 280 but opted for the zoom, for more flexibility. I'm not a big fan of zoom lenses, however the VE105-280 is probably one of the sharpest zooms ever made. Some samples here- it's not that heavy, these were all hand held: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/124799-clutching-straws.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/118035-2-out-187-a.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/130599-new-cat-block-x2-pics.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted July 20, 2010 Share #33 Posted July 20, 2010 Mike, I suspect it is your conversion that is shown on Leitax website. The fact that APO280mm f4 is rare/expensive and leitax conversion is problematic due to loss of the internal shroud it triggered me into purchasing VE 105-280. Decision was also influenced by the fact that i managed to locate pristine & inexpensive copy. I have ordered special APO 180f2 bayonet but with 10 holes and will keep my conversion reversable (just in case). So far i managed to convert 28f2.8 V2, 80f1.4 & APO 180f2.8, some of samples are on my flickr page. Flickr: mmradman's Photostream Yes it is my conversion that's on the Leitax website. Mine is not reversible as I've removed the cam. I'm pleased with the Sony Alpha 850 and the fact that it's a full frame camera at a reasonable price. I have a small fortune invested in Leica gear already, so even if an R10 were to come along I doubt I would be inclined to spend another small fortune. Hence the reason it I wasn't too fussed about the non-reversible conversion. The fact that I shoot mainly with the M system 95% of the time is another reason. The bottom line is, the times that I do use the VE105-280 & Sony combo, I'm very pleased with the lens and what it delivers. Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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