Extender R or.......?

[pgk]

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I think this is the best place to post so here's my query. I needed a longish lens for my Canons (5D &5D2) and since I needed neither AF nor IS, I ended going with a 280/2.8 Apo-Telyt (first version), actually a much cheaper option:). Its substantial, solid, heavy and very well made indeed. I've fitted it with a Novoflex adapter and my very initial tests indicate that optically it seems to be fine for what I want it for. At some point in the future I will also want to use it with a converter and I have realised that there are several options. I could go for Leica Apo converters (1.4x and/or 2x), Canon converters (1.4x an/or 2x) or a 1.6x crop Canon body. Has anyone tried these combinations or have any comments about the differences of each option?

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[topoxforddoc]

I've used it with both the Leica APO converters on my DMR. Very little loss of IQ with the APO converters (unlike the older extender R).

[farnz]

Paul,

 

I use the APO 2x extender on a 5D2 with a CameraQuest adaptor (but not with a 280/2.8) and echo what Charlie says.

 

Pete.

[michali]

No question in my mind I would also use it with an APO converter. All users, (myself included), report negligible loss of IQ.

 

I recall reading that some of the earlier Telyts can't take the 1.4 converter & remember that the 180mm was specifically mentioned, maybe this doesn't apply to the 280mm, just check it out anyway.

[wildlightphoto]

...I recall reading that some of the earlier Telyts can't take the 1.4 converter....

 

Not a problem with the 280mm APO lenses.

[psquared]

I agree with the APO Leica extenders. They are extremely good and there will be negligible loss of image quality with them as mentioned before. On a full-frame camera, they do exhibit some corner light falloff. They also exaggerate what little chromatic aberration there is in the APO teles (most notable in slightly out-of-focus areas). Although Canon's Extenders II are competent, they do magnify CA more noticeably and the image quality does suffer with Canon's 2x extender. The choice of Novoflex adapter is a good one. I used to use (and still use) a Cameraquest adapter for the build quality and the ease of changing lenses, leaving the adapter on the Canon body. But, I have suffered a couple of lens/adapter separation and potential dropped lens while I had a heavy lens (800/5.6 APO and 180.2 APO) on a Canon body with a Cameraquest adapter. Novoflex locks the lens down better on the camera. This will be important with your 280/2.8 APO. This does make mounting the extender on the lens a bit of a chore, but I think it's definitely worthwhile for the sense of security.

 

As far as the 1.6X crop option is concerned, you should first look through the viewfinder before deciding. You may have problems manually focusing on such a camera.

 

If you do get a Leica extender, make sure you mount it correctly on the lens. They're designed to be mounted on the (Leica) camera first (to engage the autodiaphragm lever) then the lens. If you mount the extender on a Canon camera first, then you won't be able to mount a lens on it. You must pull back the autodiaghragm lever on the camera-side of the extender first to attach it to the lens. Then the whole assembly gets mounted on a Canon camera.

[pgk]

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Thanks everyone. Very helpful and useful information. Apo R looks like the way to go. I'm already very impressed with the lens even on a 5D2.

[pgk]

Update. I bought a 2x Apo Extender through the 'Buy & Sell' here and the 280 Apo is excellent using it. I find that there is just a little chroma. which can be sorted in Photoshop, but images are certainly crisp enough. I used to own a Canon 600/4 (pre IS version) and ran that on a 1DS. The Apo Telyt is having to cope with the increased MPixels of a 5D2 and is doing so remarkably well (using a Novoflex adapter), and is a lot easier to handle with the 2x Extender that the 600 was (its not light though). My biggest problem is wind movement (even on a very heavy Gitzo and RRS55 head) and would you believe heat shimmer and haze at present, as I'm trying to produce some panoramas which demand repeatably exposed, focused and crisp files. Many thanks for all your help.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Update. I bought a 2x Apo Extender through the 'Buy & Sell' here and the 280 Apo is excellent using it. I find that there is just a little chroma. which can be sorted in Photoshop, but images are certainly crisp enough. I used to own a Canon 600/4 (pre IS version) and ran that on a 1DS. The Apo Telyt is having to cope with the increased MPixels of a 5D2 and is doing so remarkably well (using a Novoflex adapter), and is a lot easier to handle with the 2x Extender that the 600 was (its not light though). My biggest problem is wind movement (even on a very heavy Gitzo and RRS55 head) and would you believe heat shimmer and haze at present, as I'm trying to produce some panoramas which demand repeatably exposed, focused and crisp files. Many thanks for all your help.

 

 

Have you considered adding a Manfrotto 359 support to your tripod to improve stablilty?

 

Manfrotto | 359 Long Lens Support | 359 | B&H Photo Video

 

Cheers

 

dunk