R - Telephoto lenses

[stuny]

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John -

 

You failed to mention Larcomb's given name as displayed in the Forum profile.

[chris_tribble]

Given the questionable quality of some of the older R lenses and the proven excellence and affordability of some modern D series Nikon manual lenses (80-200 f2.8 / 300 f2.8 or 300 f4 + the modern x1.4 and x2 extenders), can anyone explain the benefit of sticking with Leica if (as in my case) I need lenses longer than 135 only 4 or 5 times a year? My strategy with the new M will be to replace my 5D2 + current modern EOS lenses (which are, IMHO stunningly good), with good quality Nikon lenses (which can be manually focused) so that I can simplify my life and reduce my overall investment in inventory.

 

Grateful to hear how much better the Leica lenses are than these alternatives... especially as I'd prefer to have 2.8 aperture where possible as the lenses will be used mainly indoors with concert / stage lighting.

 

Of course - this all depends on focusing the M with the EVF being acceptable!

[wildlightphoto]

Given the questionable quality of some of the older R lenses and the proven excellence and affordability of some modern D series Nikon manual lenses (80-200 f2.8 / 300 f2.8 or 300 f4 + the modern x1.4 and x2 extenders), can anyone explain the benefit of sticking with Leica if (as in my case) I need lenses longer than 135 only 4 or 5 times a year? My strategy with the new M will be to replace my 5D2 + current modern EOS lenses (which are, IMHO stunningly good), with good quality Nikon lenses (which can be manually focused) so that I can simplify my life and reduce my overall investment in inventory.

 

Seems like a good strategy. IMHO most of the benefit of using Leica-R lenses on the New M would be seen with the APO lenses, which are quite expensive for occasional use.

[luigi bertolotti]

Michael, the effect with this lens is in out-of-focus areas.

 

......

 

Look again, Michael. The so-called halation in the utility wires in the upper right corner is magenta on one side of the wire, green on the other side.

 

 

... just a curios... why do you insist to call "Michael" one that declares to be named John ?

(sorry if I touch some private odd question... ... feel free not to answer...)

[stuny]

I rather doubt his name is John, or even the Carol that he lists in his personal profile.

[k-hawinkler]

Seems like a good strategy. IMHO most of the benefit of using Leica-R lenses on the New M would be seen with the APO lenses, which are quite expensive for occasional use.

 

 

True, but those APO lenses one also could consider an investment, as long as they don't fall below current price levels.

 

 

Chris,

 

Considering the M-lenses you have, I get the impression you only need one additional lens, namely the APO-Telyt-R 180/?, ? being either 2, 2.8, or maybe 3.4. The latter probably too slow for your needs.

[CaptainYooh]

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...

 

400mm and 560mm f/6.8 Telyt: Lightweight, designed for hand-held use (with shoulder stock) and very quick and handy focus. The minimum focus distance isn't as close as a modern lens but extension tubes selected with care to avoid vignetting can be used. The dedicated 60mm extension tube # 14182 is a bit fiddly to work with since it goes between the lens head and the camera mount tube, and some ebay sellers think the tube is worth as much as the lens! Optically these are very sharp centrally, have significant field curvature, and the image detail falls off toward the edges. They also show bright luminous color fringes in higher contrast objects in the out-of-focus backgrounds. Working the sliding focus takes some practice and can be frustrating at first, especially if the lubricant has dried out but with practice it's quick and intuitive. The focussing mechanism can be a little more fiddly when working from a tripod. These are HAND-HELD lenses. The 400mm f/6.8 with the shoulder stock would be my choice for a first wildlife lens....

I find these comments spot on. I finally got me a decent copy of the 400mm 6.8 and had it converted to a Nikon F-mount using a Fotodiox adapter. (I must say, I don't recommend using Fotodiox on Leica lenses after trying three of them, because they seem to have problems with focusing to infinity, but this one actually worked OK after I had to file off a good chunk of brass to fit it over the cam). Anyway, I digress. I finished fitting the adapter around midnight and decided to take a few night shots mounting the lens on a D5100 body. The first few are taken from about 1,000m distance at long exposures varying from 5 to 30 seconds (off a tripod, of course). I am fairly happy with the center sharpness, as you can see from the crops.

 

 

 

 

[CaptainYooh]

Next morning, I tried the lens on the D800E body and was even more impressed:

 

 

 

 

[CaptainYooh]

The above bird shots were taken from approximately 50-60 m distance.

 

Yes, sharpness is not overly great in the corners but this is a long tele and center sharpness is way more important to me than corner sharpness, I suppose. I do love the colours though! Here is one more from approx. 500 m distance and a center crop:

 

 

 

Overall, great lightweight telephoto lens, in my opinion.

[chris_tribble]

True, but those APO lenses one also could consider an investment, as long as they don't fall below current price levels.

 

 

Chris,

 

Considering the M-lenses you have, I get the impression you only need one additional lens, namely the APO-Telyt-R 180/?, ? being either 2, 2.8, or maybe 3.4. The latter probably too slow for your needs.

 

K-H - you're right that the APO Telyt R 180 would be tempting - but the faster lenses are like hens' teeth to find at the moment, and are likely to cost a lot! Even a good condition NON Apo 180 2.8 can be £400 / $600. Obviously I should have started a collection a couple of years ago - but even then, they were at a premium by people who were using then on CanNikon bodies.

[hamey]

I am not a nature photographer but this little bird was in my back yard.

Elmarit 180mm 2.8 attached to a Canon DSLR.

Hand held.

 

Ken.

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[wlaidlaw]

I am thinking of getting an R fit zoom in anticipation of my M. The alternatives are Leica 80 - 200 f4.5, 70 - 210 f4 or a Tamron Adaptall 70 - 350 f4.5 (I am waiting confirmation that it is the later well regarded 05A not the indifferent earlier CZ-735 model). If I got either of the R lenses, I would get either a 2 x APO or 2x R extender. Any thoughts guys on these lenses. I know less than zero on R lenses, having always been a Contax SLR user. I probably need to move now before R lens prices start to climb.

 

Wilson

[wlaidlaw]

Sorry guys further thought. For an R to M adapter, if there any benefit of getting an expensive Leica or Novoflex one or will a cheapo eBay far eastern model (Roxsen, Fotodiox or similar), work just as well.

 

Wilson

[wildlightphoto]

I am thinking of getting an R fit zoom in anticipation of my M. The alternatives are Leica 80 - 200 f4.5, 70 - 210 f4 or a Tamron Adaptall 70 - 350 f4.5 (I am waiting confirmation that it is the later well regarded 05A not the indifferent earlier CZ-735 model). If I got either of the R lenses, I would get either a 2 x APO or 2x R extender. Any thoughts guys on these lenses.

 

What's the intended audience? Will you expect to make big prints?

 

 

Sorry guys further thought. For an R to M adapter, if there any benefit of getting an expensive Leica or Novoflex one or will a cheapo eBay far eastern model (Roxsen, Fotodiox or similar), work just as well.

 

The Leica adapter is expected to have a tripod socket. IDK about the Tamron but the two "Leica" (Minolta-made) zooms don't have one and a tripod socket on the adapter will provide better balance than using the one on the camera body, especially with an extender attached.

[mmradman]

Sorry guys further thought. For an R to M adapter, if there any benefit of getting an expensive Leica or Novoflex one or will a cheapo eBay far eastern model (Roxsen, Fotodiox or similar), work just as well.

 

Wilson

 

I got pretty solid and brand new R-M adaptor for £50 from Ffordes, from the memory Made in Japan and sales guy hinted Voightlander.

[hamey]

Wilson..

 

My R to EOS adapter is a Novoflex, I like it so much that I bought another, they are solid. the fit is perfect, and it's MADE IN GERMANY.

 

I also have a Japanese version ELEFOTO LC-R-CE which is also beautifuly made, ( solid steel)

 

Be careful of cheepo's, most likely they will have some play on the mount and probably are of mild steel.

 

When the Leica adapter for the M to R become avaiIable I will most likely get that version.

 

Ken

[sfage]

6.8 400 Telyt

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[wlaidlaw]

What's the intended audience? Will you expect to make big prints?

 

Doug,

 

Both my big printers, Canon PP9500 and HP B9180 have died this year. I will make big prints again but I am currently trying to work out if it is better for me to get a second hand Epson Stylus Pro 3880 or use an agency, given how prices for A2 prints have dropped. The A1 and A0 prints I have had done by agencies from M8 and 9 shots, have been so well done, that I am tempted to think that printing may best be left to the experts. I think it may be the fancy RIP engines that they use plus of course, their experience, that makes the difference.

 

I did not realise that the two Leica/Minolta lenses did not have a tripod socket, although for my animal shots, I tend to use a sandbag rather than a tripod, as being easier to track. The Tamron has both a socket and a mounting ring. I did not realise those lenses were made by Minolta. My son had a Minolta 80 - 200AF for his Sony A900 digital. It was nothing to write home about and as it very quickly stopped communicating, due to the lens's internal battery or capacitor refusing to charge up, the dealer swapped it for a later Sony lens. This was noticeably sharper than the Minolta one although nothing like as nicely made or solid.

 

I am leaning towards the Tamron if it is the late type lens.

 

Wilson

[chris_tribble]

I am thinking of getting an R fit zoom in anticipation of my M. The alternatives are Leica 80 - 200 f4.5, 70 - 210 f4 or a Tamron Adaptall 70 - 350 f4.5 (I am waiting confirmation that it is the later well regarded 05A not the indifferent earlier CZ-735 model). If I got either of the R lenses, I would get either a 2 x APO or 2x R extender. Any thoughts guys on these lenses. I know less than zero on R lenses, having always been a Contax SLR user. I probably need to move now before R lens prices start to climb.

 

Wilson

 

Wilson - is there an option to get the 80-200 F4 (last model). Everything I've read gives it a much better assessment than the earlier push-pull f4.5 model. Unlike the APO lenses, they seem to be more available + affordable.

[wlaidlaw]

Wilson - is there an option to get the 80-200 F4 (last model). Everything I've read gives it a much better assessment than the earlier push-pull f4.5 model. Unlike the APO lenses, they seem to be more available + affordable.

 

Chris,

 

To date at affordable prices I have only found the 80-200 f4.5 and 70-210 f4 and not the one you mention. I am leaning towards the 70-350 f4.5 Tamron, which gets glowing reports other than complaints about its weight and size. The one at Ffordes sadly is the old one, a CZ735, which is described as "adequate". I have found one in France, where I am for the next two weeks, which I think is an 05A.

 

Wilson

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Hallo,

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