90-280/2.8-4

[thighslapper]

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more .....

 

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[thighslapper]

and this is enough for now ....... off to Sicily for 10 days ......

 

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[ramarren]

Very nice! 

 

I went out experimenting today using the Elmar-R 180mm f/4 and 2x Extender-R for my shooting. I brought my tripod along ...

 

• 180mm is the far limit of what I can hand-hold with consistently good results. 
• 360mm takes work to focus and expose properly even with a tripod.
• Image stabilization would extend my range of usability with either 180 or 360 mm focal length. 

 

So ... If I'm going to be shooting at 180+ mm focal lengths with any frequency, the 90-280 would be a useful thing for me to buy into. However, I have no particular plans in that direction for my shooting at the moment; I can afford to hang out and see if my photography pulls me in that direction. 

[LocalHero1953]

So from what I've seen, I'd say that bokeh is not the absolute smoothest (#175 & #176 ?), but more than acceptable.

[cpclee]

Bokeh typical of more modern lenses.  I don't mind.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Thighslapper,

 

Nice photos all.

 

Could we also have some F stops & effective ISO's along with the focal lengths & shutter speeds?

 

They might be quite instructive.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

Edited April 4, 2016 by Michael Geschlecht

[thighslapper]

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Sorry ...... Currently cycling around Sicily so it's not possible ......

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Thighslapper,

 

Enjoy your cycling. 

I was suggesting this for future photos. When the information is easily available.

 

It would be helpful if more Posters provided this type of information because this type of additional information helps people to understand the construction of the displayed photos better.

 

Just like it is interesting to know where a photo is taken. Sometimes there is an interesting photo & not a clue to where in the World it is. A lot can sometimes be learned by knowing a photo's location.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[erudolph]

Would love to see some photos of a cyclist's trip through Sicily.

[CheshireCat]

Sorry ...... Currently cycling around Sicily so it's not possible ......

 

 

Is this a nice way to say that the new zoom is too big ?

[thighslapper]

It's getting plenty of use ....... minimal extra weight in a bicycle pannier and quite easy to carry around by hand with a herringbone wrist strap (given up on neck straps for now).  Very nice in use and the images at 100% on the evf certainly look very promising. OIS yields good interior shots with comparitively low iso's .... even at 280. 

[dfarkas]

Just posted my review of the 90-280 SL for those interested:

 

Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 Lens Review: Telephoto Titan for the SL (Typ 601)

[Joshua Lowe]

Those results look excellent.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Wow!! I would not dare post my expletives uttered when looking at the enlarged and 100% crop images!! That is a superb lens. Thanks for posting the review.

 

dunk

[LocalHero1953]

Placed my order last week

[digitalfx]

Just posted my review of the 90-280 SL for those interested:

 

Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 Lens Review: Telephoto Titan for the SL (Typ 601)

 

 

Geez...thanks a lot David. Now I have to get one.

[ramarren]

It does look to be a fine performer! Wanting one is easy.

 

Whether to buy one, I'm on the fence for a good while to come. Ultra-tele work beyond 180mm or so is pretty rare in my photography and I can do a lot with the $6-7K that this new lens would cost me. I'll just enjoy everyone else's photos with it for the present. 

[Suteetat]

I am in trouble. At the end of the year, I will have one of those dream trip for 3 weeks in which I was told that everything from 16mm to 500-600mm will be useful.

Long end, I decided to dish Nikon 200-500/5.6 for 300/4 PF +/- teleconverter already as weight will be a factor during travel as well as I will need to be able to carry all camera gears

for several hours at a time hiking. Wide end was easy, WATE, Zeiss 35/1.4 and 50/2 apo will be small and light (at least relative to other lenses). I have been contemplating

the 70-200 zoom range. I was thinking more of Nikon 70-200/4 rather than 70-200/2.8 for weight reduction but I was also waiting to see what the Sony 70-200/2.8 that is coming soon

will be like plus there is a rumor of Nikon possibly updating 70-200/2.8 with PF during 4th quarter of this year. 90-280 is definitely on the back of my mind but at almost 2 kgs if I am not mistaken,

I was not all that serious about it but seeing some pictures here, I start to have second thought

[jaapv]

I  have been lucky enough in my life to be able to make such trips almost yearly over three decades. I have learnt -over time- the three essential keywords for my photographic gear: portability, compatability and redundancy.

 

The SL with its two zooms sounds like a nearly ideal combo, with the WATE thrown in, although it lacks on the long end.

 

But:...I have seen a Canon 300 mm lens break down because a little screw in the IS fell out, I have seen a Nikon 600 mm literally broken in two, I have hiked into the bush for a fortnight carrying three R bodies and come out with  just one body half working on parts scavenged from the broken down other two,  etc.

 

So give this a good thought and don't just go for perceived image quality at the risk of having to use your cellphone.

 

At the moment my favorite extended travel kit kit is: M240, EVF, Super Elmar 18, Summilux 24 (an essential travel lens in my experience), Summicron 35 asph, Summilux 50 asph, Tele Tessar 85, Vario-Elmar R 105-280 + Novoflex Adapter,  Apo-Telyt 135 (used regularly on the NEX for video clips), Apo-Extender  R 1.4x, Apo-Extender R 2x, Komura Extender-M 2x, Nex7+M adapter, two M chargers (these things can die), Sony charger, batteries, etc. It all fits into a LowePro Sling and weighs about 10 Kg. As you see, if one item should break down, there is always a makeshift replacement. and although it sounds like a lot, it packs compactly and can be carried easily.

 

For walking out  with the gear of the day I have a LowePro Orion bum bag, takes a few lenses, one body and some odds and ends and a Sun Sniper diagonal strap for the long lens. I also take a lightweight Hama chest pod for stability and I have a Novoflex lightweight walking stick/monopod. My binos are in a bag on my belt.

 

Now that is just me and the pack I have refined my needs to over the years, but it might give you an idea about the way you should assemble your gear for such a trip.

It may well be that forgetting about the extreme focal lengths and carrying a simple 3 lens two body set will work better for you, but that is for you to decide.

And, as I said, but for the lack of an extender the SL system has much to offer, however you need to think about backup.

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Hallo,

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[ramarren]

That is a lot of gear, Jaap. Much more than I like to carry. 

 

I have little reservations about the reliability of the SL and its lenses; I'd carry just the one body, R15, SL24-90, R180 plus 2x teleconverter. Three batteries, enough cards for 4000 exposures. Charger, iPad + charger for that, SD card reader for the iPad for those moments when I want a raw file to work with. That's about it. The R15 and SL24-90 aren't light, but the whole kit together remains compact and manageable, fits in my Lowepro sling bag if I want (and certainly that Peak Design bag).  

 

The SL90-280 seems a wonderful lens, but that's a bit more bulk than I really enjoy carrying all that much. I carry lenses like that only when I have specific targets in mind.