Replacing 400 Telyt 6.8 with 180APO 3.4 + 2XAPO

[jmahto]

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I have been using my 400 Telyt for almost three years. First with Canon 40D and now with Nex6. I simply love its resolving power in the center and smooth bokeh. Not to mention the fun factor of this lens.

 

Saturn ring:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/263566-saturn/?p=3097487

 

The only bad part was tons of CA that gets harder to remove in post sometimes (specially backlit contrasty edges).

 

But now I have been using 180APO 3.4 + 2XAPO more and more and it has almost replaced my 400mm Telyt. The APO combo has almost no CA and is reasonably sharp across the frame (even on FF). With almost 1.7lb (810g) in weight saving, this combo as now become my go to long lens. The only downside is little harsher bokeh wide open (compared to 400mm Telyt). See below.

 

Monarch Butterflies roosting on the tree during winter migration:

 

Nex6 + 180APO3.4 + X2APO wide open.

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[Stonewall Brigade]

Do you have a web site where you've posted some of your 400mm Telyt-R images?  Would like see what this old lens can do.

[luigi bertolotti]

About the usage of APO 2x Extender with the Apo Telyt 180... I have a question that is maybe silly/trivial… but have never had an extender… can one use this extender on a Leica M, with no hassle ? I mean, of course, R Lens + 2x Extender + M/R adapter : no problem of vignetting or something like ?

Edited May 21, 2018 by luigi bertolotti

[a.noctilux]

Hello Luigi,

 

With Apo-Telyt-R (my use 3.4/180mm and 4/280mm) the Apo-Extender-R x1.4 (for 280 only) or x2 plus R to M in my experience, no vignetting at all on M10/M240.

 

As side note, with Telyt 6.8/400 plus the above adapter and M, some vignetting but not when Apo-Extender-R mounted .

Edited May 21, 2018 by a.noctilux

[Stonewall Brigade]

Hello Luigi,

 

With Apo-Telyt-R (my use 3.4/180mm and 4/280mm) the Apo-Extender-R x1.4 (for 280 only) or x2 plus R to M in my experience, no vignetting at all on M10/M240.

 

As side note, with Telyt 6.8/400 plus the above adapter and M, some vignetting but not when Apo-Extender-R mounted .

 

I just purchased a mint Leitz Wetzlar Telyt 400-R f/6.8 with the shoulder brace and pistol grip, and, a Leica leather carrying bag that looks like a small golf bag.  Paid $375.  I'm getting super results and have found the corner vignetting to occur only when the lens shade is fully extended.  When I get the lens shade half-extended to much in, I get zero vignetting.

Edited June 1, 2018 by Stonewall Brigade

[Nordvik]

Can someone show some more examples from 3,4/180 + 2 x APO Extender?

[dkCambridgeshire]

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The Novoflex Noflexar 'T' 400mm f5.6, 3 element 'squeeze trigger follow focus' lens is a better performing optic than the Telyt 400mm f6.8. Furthermore, the Noflexar T triplet lens elements were made by Leitz. With a Novoflex R adapter (code LEA-R) the Noflexar 400mm T will couple to an R body … and the APO R extenders can also be used. And it's possible to buy the Noflexar T 400mm for less than £100 on Ebay. As a bonus, the Novoflex 'follow focus' mount usually includes a Novoflex bellows - enabling close focus on e.g. butterflies and dragonflies from a distance.  

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/400mm-f-5-6-t-noflexar-t54585.html   … Doug Herr is a Leica Forum member. 

 

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mRqWLP8y8OoC&pg=PA95&lpg=PA95&dq=Novoflex+Noflexar+400mm+T+manufacture&source=bl&ots=x9Nl80f8Bl&sig=NgN2xvMsq5ZdK2Oq3brEXevXBUE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjC6vOPycvbAhULI8AKHbZrA9AQ6AEIYzAL#v=onepage&q=Novoflex%20Noflexar%20400mm%20T%20manufacture&f=false

 

https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/lens-adapters/adapter-rings/adapter-rings-products/adapter-rings-for-follow-focus-lenses.html   … and also note the Leica T/SL/TL adapter (code LETA) 

 

The follow focus mount's spring loaded trigger can get a little stiff over the years but to restore smooth focus, unscrew the end caps and apply some lubricant - I used trombone slide oil - there's no danger of the oil contaminating the lens tube.

 

 

dunk 

Edited June 11, 2018 by dkCambridgeshire

[jmahto]

Do you have a web site where you've posted some of your 400mm Telyt-R images?  Would like see what this old lens can do.

Look at my flickr album where I have few pictures from 400mm Telyt.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjSnxLTS

 

Apart from the Saturn pic mentioned in this thread, I have also been pleasantly surprised in the following pic

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/165778-mountains-of-the-world-open-for-all/?p=3005208

 

I still like this lens and it is very well designed for hand holding, however now 180APO3.4 (with optional X2APO) has replaced it since it is more versatile (180 and 360mm), light and uniform across the frame.

My 180APO3.4 pics are here.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsksAwmsH