When 280mm focal length is insufficient we can improvise …

[dkCambridgeshire]

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Seems there is little possibility that Leica Camera Co might introduce an SL lens with a focal length longer than the 90-280mm offering - thus we have to improvise and adapt for those situations where 280mm is just too short. 

 

By most accounts, the Novoflex EOS to SL 'smart adapter' does not provide sufficiently fast AF with Canon lenses … thus I have not considered using EOS telephoto lenses. 

 

I've used the Leitz 400mm and 560mm f6.8 manual focus R lenses but their 'focus ergonomics' are not the easiest to work with on a digital camera. 

 

Sometimes I need a lens longer than 560mm and have discovered that a 1980s vintage, 2 element Vixen Fluorite 810/9 astro telescope lens can be harnessed to both my Leica T and Leica SL cameras.

 

At one nature reserve I visit most of the interest on the lakes is over 100 metres from the hides … and usually at a distance of c.150m … requiring a very long lens to 'fill the frame.' 

 

This is how I use the 2 element Vixen Fluorite 810/9 refractor as an ultra-long focus lens on the Leica SL : 

 

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In this instance, in order to capture images of a Little Egret in the early evening, 140m distant, 'stacked' Leitz APO 1.4x and 2x 'R' extenders were added to the Leica R T2 adapter which screws onto the scope's T2 thread … a non-smart Novoflex R to SL/TL adapter is fitted between the Leitz extenders and the SL camera. Resultant focal length is 800mm x 2.8 = 2268mm f25. The small aperture requires a high ISO setting to maintain relatively fast shutter speeds … especially in relatively 'low light' situations e.g. towards dusk as in this situation. The Vixen 'scope's rack and pinion focuser is easier to use than the Telyt's focusers. The Berlebach heavy duty tripod and Jobu gimbal aid stability.  The vintage Vixen 'scope is still a highly regarded astro observing instrument; its fluorite lens element minimises aberrations.  

 

 

 

 

This is the Little Egret habitat - the bird 140m distant can be seen in the centre to the left of the mute swan - it might appear to be closer but the photo was taken with a Leica C compact at an equivalent FF 148mm focal length zoom setting 

 

 

cont'd …  

Edited September 20, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[dkCambridgeshire]

… and these are the resultant Little Egret photos: 

 

 

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Little Egret with a fish in its beak … ISO 1600  1/160 sec f25.2 … should have used a higher ISO and faster shutter speed 

 

 

 

cont'd …  

Edited September 20, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

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[dkCambridgeshire]

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Little Egret 'sequentially tickling' the shallows with each foot whilst fishing … ISO 12500  1/1000 sec f25.2 

 

 

 

 

cont'd … 

Edited September 20, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[dkCambridgeshire]

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Little Egret after a preen and vigorous plumage shake … ISO 12500 f25.2  1/1000 sec

 

 

 

cont'd …  

Edited September 20, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[dkCambridgeshire]

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The Little Egret returning to the shallows after consuming a captured fish 'ashore' … ISO 12500 f25.2  1/1000 sec

 

 

 

Best wishes 

 

 

dunk 

Edited September 20, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[LD_50]

This is certainly an interesting way to achieve a huge focal length on the SL. Cool stuff.

 

That said I would consider Nikon 1 with F adapter (2.7x) or M43 (2x) to achieve better quality with much less cost and weight.

[Jeff S]

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I'd be more surprised if something longer isn't eventually on the SL lens roadmap, unless the SL runs into barriers like the S system, which early on had folks like David Farkas predicting longer lenses, T/S lenses and more zooms.

 

Jeff

[tritentrue]

You are lucky to be in an environment where you can shoot at 2268mm in clear air.  In my neck o' the woods, telephoto lenses must shoot through heat shimmer, haze, and/or other environmental factors on all but the very few best days. 

 

On the other hand, in at least one place I know of, Little Egrets will forage within a few meters of a quiet observer.

[dkCambridgeshire]

You are lucky to be in an environment where you can shoot at 2268mm in clear air.  In my neck o' the woods, telephoto lenses must shoot through heat shimmer, haze, and/or other environmental factors on all but the very few best days. 

 

On the other hand, in at least one place I know of, Little Egrets will forage within a few meters of a quiet observer.

 

 

There are places in my locality where Little Egrets can be photographed within a few metres using e.g. a 200mm lens … but on this reserve the fence hides for this lake are 100 metres from where the birds congregate … and no closer access possible.  Yesterday was an experiment and the Little Egret was a bonus subject. Recent rains have 'cleared' the air. 

 

dunk 

Edited September 20, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[amoebahydra]

How about using a 1238mm f5 RC optics .......... enough fiattern field for 4x5"

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[amoebahydra]

a 3000mm f11 Dall Kirkham ........... have to use with Reducer/flatterner

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[dkCambridgeshire]

 … thank you for the suggestions  … both a little beyond my budget  

 

Another SL /TL alternative long focus lens option, currently being modified to enable full EXIF data transmission and likely capable of FF 1000mm f9, will be posted on the forum when completed.

 

Cheers

 

dunk 

Edited October 1, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire