Telyt 400mm f/6.8: What I am doing wrong???

[M9reno]

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I am getting serious vignetting on this (new to me) lens on the M240. The two shots are taken at widest aperture, and stopping down does not result in any appreciable change. Setup for the first shot was Viso III, for the second R-M adapter + ring 14167. The reason for the vignetting, which seems worse using the latter combo, must be obvious, but eludes me! Hopefully not a problem with the lens. Thanks in advance for any help.

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[bocaburger]

I use that lens with 14167+R/M adapter and don't get that vignetting. I have used it also with an R-EOS adapter on my 5D and no such vignetting. Used it with Viso-III on M9 with no vignetting either. Used it with the dedicated extension tube too, no vignetting. Have also used it with a 49mm filter w/front threads ground off, in the Ser VII filter slot. Again, no vignetting. It looks like the kind of vignetting caused by a too-thick front filter but I have a 72-67 stepdown ring w/67mm UV filter screwed into the front element retaining ring threads and still no vignetting. Very odd. I'll be curious what it turns out to be.

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[M9reno]

Thanks. That's all good to know. I've just tried taking off and tightening the lens head - it wasn't exactly loose, but it might do the trick. There's also a spacer ring around the threads on the head - I assume this is original and normal.

[wildlightphoto]

... There's also a spacer ring around the threads on the head - I assume this is original and normal.

 

Normal.

[jaapv]

Are you using the old Leicina R-M adapter 22228? That one will produce this kind of vignetting.

[bocaburger]

Are you using the old Leicina R-M adapter 22228? That one will produce this kind of vignetting.

 

He said the 1st shot was made on a Viso-III so that would rule out both the 14167 and R/M adapter as culprits.

 

Ok, M9reno did you make sure the alignment pin is fully seated in the notch in the threads when assembling the two halves? Ik I'm grasping at straws here, but this is truly baffling (no pun intended). Usually one can even stack several filters on a telephoto without getting vignetting.

Edited January 20, 2015 by bocaburger

[ho_co]

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Looks like mechanical vignetting, not optical.

 

You're not using a filter in front of the lens, are you? The 400/6.8 takes Series VII drop-in filters in the tube, nothing in front of the lens.

[wildlightphoto]

Looks like mechanical vignetting, not optical.

 

I agree. My guess is you'll see it most with distant subjects or with an extension tube like the Macro-Adapter-R. I saw the same thing with the 400mm and 560mm f/5.6 Televit lenses. The M mount on the lens is the most likely culprit due to its small diameter relative to the diagonal of the sensor. Also check the filter slot to be sure nothing is causing the problem there.

[k-hawinkler]

• I use that lens with 14167+R/M adapter and don't get that vignetting.

• I have used it also with an R-EOS adapter on my 5D and no such vignetting.

• Used it with Viso-III on M9 with no vignetting either.

• Used it with the dedicated extension tube too, no vignetting.

• Have also used it with a 49mm filter w/front threads ground off, in the Ser VII filter slot. Again, no vignetting.

 

• It looks like the kind of vignetting caused by a too-thick front filter but I have a 72-67 stepdown ring w/67mm UV filter screwed into the front element retaining ring threads and still no vignetting.

• Very odd. I'll be curious what it turns out to be.

 

Many thanks for the info.

Could you please show some examples, in particular from Viso-III on M9. TIA.

[M9reno]

Are you using the old Leicina R-M adapter 22228? That one will produce this kind of vignetting.

 

Definitely the 14167. Thanks!

[M9reno]

I'll try reassembling the tubes paying close attention to the notch, and also check the filter slot (I've not used any filters, though I have used the retracted hood - maybe that makes a difference?). I'll report back. Thanks to all for your help.

[wildlightphoto]

I'll try reassembling the tubes paying close attention to the notch, and also check the filter slot (I've not used any filters, though I have used the retracted hood - maybe that makes a difference?). I'll report back. Thanks to all for your help.

 

The hood should not be a problem. I used it 100% of the time when I had this lens.

[spydrxx]

I never had problems with the hood either.

[k-hawinkler]

Al,

 

The Telyts 400/6.8 and 560/6.8 come in two varieties.

Either for V(isoflex) or R cameras.

The mounts are interchangeable.

I have both.

 

When using the Telyt-V 400/6.8 on Visoflex III and M9 I observe vignetting similar to your first image. Here is an example shot.

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The following is a shot with that Telyt on a FF Nikon D3 and a Fotodiox adapter. Focus is at a much shorter distance. The vignetting is still there but not as strong.

Edited January 20, 2015 by k-hawinkler

[M9reno]

Many thanks to all who have contributed their time and advice.

 

I reassembled the lens making sure of proper notching of the two tubes.

 

I unscrewed and re-tightened the lens head.

 

I checked the filter holder. No apparent obstruction exists.

 

Nevertheless, the problem persists. I would say it is markedly worse at smaller apertures. Perhaps a slight discernible difference focusing, with slightly more vignetting when focusing near.

 

K-H, my lens has a Viso mount.

 

Running out of ideas now!

[M9reno]

Al,

 

The Telyts 400/6.8 and 560/6.8 come in two varieties.

Either for V(isoflex) or R cameras.

The mounts are interchangeable.

I have both.

 

When using the Telyt-V 400/6.8 on Visoflex III and M9 I observe vignetting similar to your first image. Here is an example shot.

[ATTACH]480699[/ATTACH]

 

K-H, what is your aperture on this picture? It does indeed look like mine at wide aperture. Does yours get worse at small apertures.

[tobey bilek]

People have reported M tube adapted to R causing vignetting back in film days.

 

Try the longer R tube and R adapter to M camera.

 

If you pull back the hood, then you know if it is hood or mount causing vignetting.

[k-hawinkler]

K-H, what is your aperture on this picture? It does indeed look like mine at wide aperture. Does yours get worse at small apertures.

 

Al,

 

I typically shoot wide open or at most 1 stop down.

I don't recall exactly what the aperture was for these shots, most likely wide open though.

 

You also will have noticed the extremely soft corners.

The Telyt-V 400/5.6 is even worse in this regard.

That Telyt also vignettes, but it sometimes gets lost in the image.

The following is a shot with the 400/5.6 on D3.

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Edited January 20, 2015 by k-hawinkler

[wildlightphoto]

Try the longer R tube and R adapter to M camera.

 

Probably the best solution. I never saw this vignetting with the R tube.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[bocaburger]

I've never seen it with the V tube, not on a Visoflex, not with the 14167 and adapted to R and EOS. Maybe there were changes made during production and later lenses aren't affected??