Long lens for animals with SL2S

[michali]

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When I use the Canon 400mm f4 USMll & Sigma MC-21 adapter the camera recognises the lens as a 400mm, no IBIS with this lens mounted on the SL2 &SL2-S, but the Canon lens's OIS works very well.

 

Edited April 12, 2022 by michali

[michali]

19 hours ago, Jox said:

Thank you for all those informations.
I look at the offers in 400mm Canon and in 280 APO Leica R ...
For the urgency of births and the first flights of our bird friends, I try to master the 90-280 in MF, and I also use the 180x2 APO R, but I am really faster with the 180x2 APO R. Of course there is no lens stabilization, but the MF is so nice with these R's

A word of caution with buying older R lenses now, in the event of any repair issues, parts are becoming more difficult to find. I owned both the Leica VE 105-280mm R & the 280mm APO R, there was a problem with VE 105-280mm R, it took 6 months to repair & was very expensive for a minor part. As a result I sold both of those lenses and purchased the Canon 400mm f4 II, which is probably the best tele lens I've ever used in 50 years of photography.

In any event as mentioned earlier, for serious birding & wildlife at longer distances 280mm is too short.

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[Jox]

Thanks again for your experiential comments.

I usually indicate the focal length of the R with the M cameras for the auto/speed iso calculation at 1, 2 or 4/F, but I could have forgotten
(my choices with the M: 1 or 2/F for the M10 and now often 4/F for the M11).

With all this praise from specialist users, this Canon is starting to really tickle my dreams...

And the converter, perhaps we risk straying a little too far from the quality of the Leica Rs with the X2, and maybe a x1.4 would be more qualitative (and brighter of course)...?

[tom0511]

Are we talking about the 400mm DO lens?

[michali]

4 hours ago, tom0511 said:

Are we talking about the 400mm DO lens?

Yes this one:  EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM 

[Jox]

Hello,

Once used to the 90-280, it is very pleasant and very qualitative. Of course, it is often too short.
I saw here a co-match between "180F2,8APO + X2 APO R converter" and "Telyt 350F4,8 R".
The results suggest a possibly interesting of obtaining good results with this Telyt 350 + X2 APO converter.
I will be very happy to know some experiences with this Telyt, and even better with the converter.
Greetings from France

[jaapv]

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It is not a lens that I would expect to match the performance of the SL2S, or any modern digital camera and certainly not with a 2x extender. Erwin Puts:

 

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[Jox]

Oh ! Thank you for this very interesting article.
The test that I mentioned had nevertheless the air of praise.
Well, it seems that, except with some mythical optics like the 100 macro, 180, 280 APO 2.8 or other APOs, you have to be careful with old productions, it's a bit logical too.

 

[Jox]

I did not know the book "Leica R Compendium".
It seems perfect to get an idea of these beautiful R optics.

Thanks for all your sharing. As for long focal lengths I will continue with the 90-280 and I will also continue to look for a second APO doubler for my 180APO 2.8, the 180x2x2 formula (currently an X2 APO and a non APO) giving amazing results in animal and planetary, in front of the SL2S or in observation in front of a TO-R Leica or a telescope eyepiece (Celestron 7mm).

[jaapv]

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[Jox]

 

Hello,
I specify the link of this comparative test which had confirmed to me the good reputation of this 350mm, often used in the past by professionals on different cameras, including S (after modification):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/episa/4467251089

Now, reading the book, I don't really know what to choose between a second APO doubler on the 180APO2,8 or a single APO doubler on a 350...
I will still re-test the 180 with 2 doublers (1 APO, 1 non-APO for the moment), I know the optical results but just to see if the stabilization of the SL2S allows you to focus comfortably enough.

Best Regards

[sarav]

On 4/23/2022 at 4:18 PM, jaapv said:

It is not a lens that I would expect to match the performance of the SL2S, or any modern digital camera and certainly not with a 2x extender. Erwin Puts:

 

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That is true but with 2X APO and 350/4.8 @f11 performance are amazing in normal A3+ print. If you go larger aberrations becomes evident but this is the beauty of rendering of old lenses. You can't crop and you're far from latest APO but in my experience if you look for a long lens this is a cheap solution with great results.

[jaapv]

If this lens indeed costs close to 2000$ it is a no-brainet to get one of the far superior new  Sigmas. 

[caissa]

The R 350 is nonApo, and this shows. But still it is of very good quality. But instead of using an extender it is better to use only aps-c, because in the center it is stronger. With a SL2 this works very well (probably also with the SL2-S).

Because of its shape it is a very useful lens and nice to handle. And for nonprofessional use it is a favorite of mine.

In a way the Sigma 150-600 is the better lens (but also not Apo). But the handling of the R 350 (And R 250) is nicer. But if you need 600mm then the old lenses (IQ) are not too good in comparison and you should use the new Sigma zoom which is very effective in a price comparison. And the new lens offers OS which is more effective the longer the lens gets (compared to IBIS).

Edited May 13, 2022 by caissa

[JeffWright]

The Sigma 150-600 has exceptionally good performance, especially for the cost. In the 150-280 range, I'd be hard pressed to tell it from the Leica 90-280 (which I also own). Weight is comparable. AF not as good as the 90-280, but acceptable. Even paired with the 1.4x it is still quite good.

[Manicouagan1]

I have used my SL2 with the Sigma 150-600 sports lens for L Mount with subjects that don't move or are moving in a predictable way (examples: jets in an air show or pelicans in gliding flight).   For static subjects the Sigma 1.4x extender yields good results on the SL2 in bright sunlight.   Even with image stabilization on shutter speed of the reciprocal of 2 times the focus length is the minimum handheld.   In any lighting conditions other than bright sunlight you may find yourself shooting at an ISO higher than you are used to.    Once one learns how to work within the constraints of the autofocus, the lens is a pleasure to use, but it takes practice.  

[ivohula]

I just returned from Yellowstone National Park where I used The Canon EF 600/4.0 L IS USM II and the Canon EF 200 - 400/4.0 L IS USM with built in TC adapted thanks to the Sigma MC-21 to my SL2. The 600 was used with the Canon EF 1,4X III Extender. Focus was only possible in single shot mode and was 50% slower than on a Canon R5 or R3, but pictures were perfectly sharp. You just need to refocus constantly as you are in single shot mode and animals move. You could never tell that camera was not a Canon. 

The Sigma MC-21 works well on most of my Canon lenses at f5.6 or brighter.

[jaapv]

15 hours ago, Manicouagan1 said:

I have used my SL2 with the Sigma 150-600 sports lens for L Mount with subjects that don't move or are moving in a predictable way (examples: jets in an air show or pelicans in gliding flight).   For static subjects the Sigma 1.4x extender yields good results on the SL2 in bright sunlight.   Even with image stabilization on shutter speed of the reciprocal of 2 times the focus length is the minimum handheld.   In any lighting conditions other than bright sunlight you may find yourself shooting at an ISO higher than you are used to.    Once one learns how to work within the constraints of the autofocus, the lens is a pleasure to use, but it takes practice.  

Two remarks: it is wise to use electronic shutter whenever possible when shooting handheld and the focus can be improved by using post-focus. (I am not sure if Leica offers the latter)

PF allows you to either focus stack or to choose the plane of critical focus in-camera. 

[Jox]

Hello,
The 90-280 gives magnificent results with the SL2S. For very distant subjects (birds...), I use a 180 2.8 APO with 2 converters  APO Leica R. This may be suitable for video but not for photography, because of too much detail degradation and the enormous need for light.
I was impressed with your experiences with the Canon EF 600/4.0 L IS USM II , but it is expansive and not easy to find in second hand ! I am in contact with a seller of a hold version I.
Would it be possible to know your opinions and possibly your experiences of this version, on an SL2S (my case for this kind of images) or on another case...?
Thanks in advance and greetings to you all.
Alan (from France)

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Jox]

Oh sorry, I would talk about the Canon 400mm f4 DO v2 (with x1,4), not the 600.