Gary Clennan Posted December 18, 2012 Share #1 Posted December 18, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi All, Fist time post here.... I am considering buying one of these lenses locally for super cheap but really don't know a thing about them. Apparently it comes with an #14127 R Mount adapter and some sort of handle. They guy tells me it is native M mount. I would like to use it on my future M240 but also on my M9 in the meantime. Is this lens any good? How do you focus (with the M9)? Apologies for the newbie questions but I don't know much about this lens. Any feedback would be most appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 18, 2012 Posted December 18, 2012 Hi Gary Clennan, Take a look here Leica 400mm f/6.8 Telyt - Info Required. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
adan Posted December 18, 2012 Share #2 Posted December 18, 2012 It may have the same flanges as an M mount - but it won't work on an M body without a Visoflex viewing system, either the old mechanical contraptions, or the new electronic viewfinder "visoflex" for the new "M240" (not an "M9"). Used on the M240, you will need - the lens to R adapter AND the new R-M adapter, and live view via the rear LCD or the EVF. As the lens stands now, while the lens mount may physically attach to an M9, it will be about 3 inches (7 cm) too short - you'll only be able to focus "beyond infinity." The optics are designed to have the various adapters included in the overall length to work right. Here's your lens, as correctly mounted on an M camera with a mechanical Visoflex in between: Visoflex 400 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! You'll note the Visoflex (basically an add-on SLR viewing system with mirror, ground glass, and prism top) puts the lens's own mount (red dot) about 3 inches in front of the actual camera mount. I realize it seems weird to go M-mount-to-R-mount-to-M-mount via two adapters (M240), or M-mount-to-M-mount-to-M-mount via the old Viso (M9 or any other M), but that's what it takes for this 40-year-old lens construction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted December 18, 2012 Share #3 Posted December 18, 2012 Oh - and WELCOME! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 18, 2012 Share #4 Posted December 18, 2012 Or buy a visoflex and not put up with an electronic finder at all. A viso 3 or 2A will work. A plain 2 will not. I use a 2A as my viso of choice, but they are not easily found. Plain 2 is common. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 18, 2012 Share #5 Posted December 18, 2012 The 14127 is an R to M adapter and not a part of the lens. The lens itself mounts directly onto the Visoflex. If you want to use it on the M240 you need the M to V adapter that Wilson is designing. Some sort of handle must be the Novoflex mount. The lens itself will give excellent results. in the centre it is as sharp as any more modern one. The corners fall off, but mainly through curved field aberration, so you will not notice it when photographing threedimensional objects. You'll find quite a few photographs taken with this lens here: http://www.wildlightphoto.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 18, 2012 Share #6 Posted December 18, 2012 The Leica shoulder brace will help if no tripod is used. If one is used, mount the lens and then brace the camera separately. The field will come into focus at F11 or 16, but most 400 mm subjects are center only. The lens cell unscrews for cleaning the back. David Douglas Duncan first used the prototype of this at the 1972 Democratic Convention. Somewhere on line I would think you can find the photos. http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/ddd/gallery/dddportraits/222.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted December 18, 2012 Share #7 Posted December 18, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) David Douglas Duncan first used the prototype of this at the 1972 Democratic Convention.David Douglas Duncan I remember seeing those photos on TV, and also in (I think) the E.Leitz NY Leica Photography magazine. What I hadn't seen before are the two Nikon Fs he carried in addition to the SL and 400! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted December 18, 2012 Share #8 Posted December 18, 2012 If, as you say, it's for "super cheap", it can be a good buy... but look at the glass with care : time ago I saw one which had a significant attack of fungus; mechanically, they are very well made, but the pushbutton "trombone" focusing may suffer from wear. Just to put in evidence possible issues of an excellent lens, which is also rather light to be carried without much trouble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 19, 2012 Share #9 Posted December 19, 2012 The two cemented lenses in the single group may have separation. Another thing to look out for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted December 19, 2012 Share #10 Posted December 19, 2012 Also extend the lens to its minimum focus distance and look for signs of wear where the ends of the parallel guide rods stop at the retaining ring. In extreme cases the retaining ring can wear through and the part with the hood and optics will fall off. I'm guessing the 'handle' is the shoulder stock that was originally supplied with the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted December 19, 2012 Share #11 Posted December 19, 2012 I'm guessing the 'handle' is the shoulder stock that was originally supplied with the lens. can be the pistol grip ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 19, 2012 Share #12 Posted December 19, 2012 Possibly PIGRIFF-B Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/194291-leica-400mm-f68-telyt-info-required/?do=findComment&comment=2193031'>More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted December 27, 2012 Share #13 Posted December 27, 2012 Possibly PIGRIFF-B This photo is not a PIGRIFF-B. It looks more like a PIGRIFF-C except I believe that there were some differences between the PIGRIFF-C and the Leica version. This is a PIGRIFF-B: Novoflex Follow Focus Noflexar 400mm F 5 6 Lens w Bellows Hood Shoulder Stock | eBay Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted December 27, 2012 Share #14 Posted December 27, 2012 This photo is not a PIGRIFF-B. It looks more like a PIGRIFF-C except I believe that there were some differences between the PIGRIFF-C and the Leica version. This is a PIGRIFF-B: Novoflex Follow Focus Noflexar 400mm F 5 6 Lens w Bellows Hood Shoulder Stock | eBay Starting bid 35 US$ !... (well, I am not accustomed to ebay bidding... I suppose it will go up...) ; which kind of lens is that "Noflexar 400 5,6" ? Is it related to the "old" Telyt 400 5,6 ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted December 27, 2012 Share #15 Posted December 27, 2012 Starting bid 35 US$ !... (well, I am not accustomed to ebay bidding... I suppose it will go up...) ; which kind of lens is that "Noflexar 400 5,6" ? Is it related to the "old" Telyt 400 5,6 ? It's a two-element doublet like the 400mm f/5.6 Telyt. If you're interested in a Novoflex 400mm lens I suggest the T-Noflexar (3-element) model which has better field flatness and image detail. I added the T-Noflexar lens head to my 560mm f/6.8 Novoflex Telyt kit (with PIGRIFF-C) for US$200. This is a rather low price for the T-Noflexar; I found out why it was so inexpensive when I tried using it: the image quality was HORRIBLE. I then noticed the retaining ring holding the rear element in place has some scratches so I guessed that someone had taken the lens apart and re-assembled it incorrectly. After a few minutes with my tools the guess was confirmed Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/194291-leica-400mm-f68-telyt-info-required/?do=findComment&comment=2198906'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 28, 2012 Share #16 Posted December 28, 2012 This photo is not a PIGRIFF-B. It looks more like a PIGRIFF-C except I believe that there were some differences between the PIGRIFF-C and the Leica version. This is a PIGRIFF-B: Novoflex Follow Focus Noflexar 400mm F 5 6 Lens w Bellows Hood Shoulder Stock | eBay Right, I even owned the thing for years. Silly typo/mixup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.