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Rate R telephoto lenses from best downward excluding module from your own experiences

algrove

By algrove
in Leica R System

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naturephoto1

naturephoto1

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I agree that it is not an easy lens to focus. It takes time. I completely accept that. The purpose of my purchase (of the 400mm 6.8) was to improve upon the distance of the 200. Of course, that goes without saying. But, I would only be using this lens at infinity focus. So, it's not a question of focus error. I need it to focus upon mountain peaks from the highway or deep within the forest. Naturally, I would tripod those shots and would always be mindful of keeping the exposure time to at least double the lens' length. So in this case, 1/800 or faster.

 

I'm still not getting it.

 

The way that my lens has been rebalanced with the long plate supporting my f6.8 560mm Telyt lens and now adding a 6" long rail under the lens helps the balance and handling of the lens.

 

The f6.8 400mm and f6.8 Telyts are very light for their focal lengths and lenses of this length can certainly start to vibrate during exposure. It takes very little for this to happen. As I recall, I tried the coin trick of balancing the coin on end and there was vibration and the coin would not stay in place. If the lens is locked down better you will get better results. I have some items to try this including the RRS Long lens system which I have to really try and see the results, I have used bean bags placed on top of the lens and it does help.. A bean bag placed on top of the lens may help with the vibrations and may be worth a try for you.

 

All lenses and cameras are subject to vibration as you know and it is more of an issue with longer lenses. You may have better luck with a heavier and more expensive lens. But the big question that you will have to check and find is what lenses you can afford and afford to carry for weight.

 

I will have to check my very expensive Leica 280mm f4 Apo Telyt lens with and without the Leica 1.4X and 2X Apo extenders after I take delivery. But in this case, this is a very expensive proposition.

 

Rich

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wildlightphoto

wildlightphoto

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I found the 560/6.8 to out-perform the 400/6.8, but when used as intended the 400 produced many saleable photos for me. Like the 560/6.8, it has field curvature so it's better suited to a central subject with out-of-focus background than to a distant mountain landscape. It also has spherochromatic aberration so in some cases you will see green/magenta color fringes in high-contrast out-of-focus details.

 

The sheep photo (below) was made with the 560 on the DMR using a monopod & shoulder stock with a shutter speed of 1/125 sec. The dots on the animal are mosquitoes and when enlarged one can count the legs on the insects.

 

The 280/4 + 1/4x extender had replaced the 400/6.8 in my tool kit by the time I began using the DMR but on K64 the 400 produced many very sharp photos (heron hand-held with shoulder stock, 1/125 sec).

 

But for distant landscapes there are better tools.

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robsteve

robsteve

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Doug:

 

You may be a the best person to comment on this. I have the 400mm f6.8 and had the 400mm f5.6. For a camera like the new M, wouldn't the 400mm f5.6 with the focus grip that has the little knob to fine tune the focus be a better choice than a push pull like on the 400mm f6.8?

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wildlightphoto

wildlightphoto

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am not try to be a jerk... but go back up this thread and look at the Teton 400mm 6.8 image, then go to my 500px links and tell me that those two lenses compare, even remotely. Tell me they are in the same ball park. If you tell me the 400mm is better, I will shut up.

 

Comparing equipment using photos made on different media in different conditions processed who-knows-how using web jpgs is tricky at best.

 

The 400/6.8's strengths are light weight, quick handling, high contrast & color saturation and good central sharpness. Use each lens in the proper context and they're both excellent tools. Use either out of context and chances are you'll get garbage.

 

This was made with the 400/6.8 on K64. This is the intended context for the 400.

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naturephoto1

naturephoto1

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That would work for close work and I could do the same thing mounting my f6.8 560mm Teyt lens on my R Bellows and mount almost any camera with the proper adapters. But again for close subjects.

 

Rich

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wildlightphoto

wildlightphoto

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Doug:

 

You may be a the best person to comment on this. I have the 400mm f6.8 and had the 400mm f5.6. For a camera like the new M, wouldn't the 400mm f5.6 with the focus grip that has the little knob to fine tune the focus be a better choice than a push pull like on the 400mm f6.8?

 

On a tripod I prefer the handling of the 400mm f/5.6 for that reason. Didn't you sell the 400mm f/5.6 to me, with the peanut butter jar lid for a lens cap? :)

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robsteve

robsteve

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On a tripod I prefer the handling of the 400mm f/5.6 for that reason. Didn't you sell the 400mm f/5.6 to me, with the peanut butter jar lid for a lens cap? :)

 

Yes, I think I did but wasn't sure so didn't mention it in my post. You should see my 400mm f6.8. Taken apart, I am using beer can foam coolers to cap the ends.

 

Just trying to impart some wisdom for those wanting to try live view focusing with a 400mm. I think the new f6.8 lenses would create too jiggly of an image to focus magnified in live view. My experience with the 400mm on the Nikon D800E tells me this.

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algrove

algrove

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Focusing long lenses can be a challenge. I recall using the 800mm sport lens, can't recall the name right now, at Photokina on the M-240. I posted an image of it toward the end of September on this forum. We were looking at an X-2 in a display case about 25-30 meters away. I took some shots and also uploaded an image of the X-2 on the M screen. It turned out the Leica floor was a wooden material over the cement floor and anyone who walked within 10 meters of the setup caused the image to almost vibrate out of control. The Leica M setup was very compact and considering the movement involved the image on the M screen was not too bad even peaking at level 5 and ISO 1600. My shot of this image was taken hand held with my MM.

 

I spent a lot of time with this setup since it was far away from the M counter and I had the camera all to myself for over one hour since most visitors passed the setup right on by on their way into the Galerie. The only rule-leave the telescope mounted on the M. The entire setup was probably going to cost around USD5000 with all adapters, etc., but a very interesting concept and my hat goes off the the Leica gentleman I spent time with since he was the one who designed the prototype adapter to make this work. He told me he made it the week before Photokina. Great people in Solms.

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algrove

algrove

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Yes, I think I did but wasn't sure so didn't mention it in my post. You should see my 400mm f6.8. Taken apart, I am using beer can foam coolers to cap the ends.

 

Just trying to impart some wisdom for those wanting to try live view focusing with a 400mm. I think the new f6.8 lenses would create too jiggly of an image to focus magnified in live view. My experience with the 400mm on the Nikon D800E tells me this.

 

It just dawned on me that some plastic Yogurt tub lids might just work for lens caps. So do I take my lenses into the grocery store or let the cat out of the bag with my wife when I bring home a 6 months supply of Yogurt?

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robsteve

robsteve

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I realized no one talked about the R 70-180 zoom. It seems that most here prefer the 105-280 instead?

 

Any comments from owners of the 70-180?

 

Some of the 70-180 were subject to bad flare in certain circumstances. Leica made a change in the later ones and I think the earlier ones could be retrofitted. Other than that, you actually don't see a lot of posts about them.

 

On all these lenses, Erwin Puts book, Lens Compendium is pretty well dead on in regards to the description of the performance.

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Rick

Rick

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Based on you continued recommendation of the 105-280, I just purchased a mint copy of that lens in the box. I have been following it from an auction a month ago. It didn't sell at auction for the price asked so, I have made three lower offers over the last 4 weeks and the seller has now agreed to my last offer. I believe I got a good price for this hard to find lens. I'll have it in a week and I'll let you know how I find it compares.

 

Ok, jaapv, I just got the 105-280 today at work. It is a very solid lens. I agree that the main drawback of the lens is that the focus ring is not as wide as the APO 280/4. But, I didn't find that the focus ring is not as smooth as the 280/4. My version of the 105-280 has a focus action that is as smooth as my 280/4.

 

Other than that, I'm at work so all I can tell about the lens is that this copy is near new. I'll get a chance to try out all three lenses at Christmas holiday in Vancouver B.C. and New Years at Whistler.

 

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robsteve

robsteve

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I have a chance to get a telyt 250 f4 for €300. It looks to be in ex+++ condition.

 

What do you think?

 

The shop owner says it's heavy but I don't care about that.

 

If you are not using it on a Leica, there are probably better Canon or Nikon lenses unless you like the particular rendering of a Leica lens.

 

With the Leica R lenses, it is really just the lenses with APO or ASPH that have the high performance with the exception of the 80-200mm and 105-280mm zooms.

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