Check this out, more to come:
Leica S2 meets the Leica APO-Telyt-Modular R 400mm f/4
Check this out, more to come:
Leica S2 meets the Leica APO-Telyt-Modular R 400mm f/4
impressive images. The image covers all S2 sensor? if yes, you've got the Holy Grail!
How fascinating! David, Will I have to do permanent changes to my APO-telyt or can I manage via an adapter?
Thanks for posting,
Arif
Arif,
I'll post all the details in my article, but no, this isn't done via an adapter. The lens has to be shortened to achieve infinity focus. This also involves moving the aperture ring and mechanical linkage back towards the front of the lens. Because of this, I don't think the 1x module will work, only the 1.4x and 2x.
If you are interested in converting your lens, let me know.
Hi David:
What a great 400mm set-up for the S2!!! After the the dust settles, please compare with the Pentax 6x7 400mm ED lens.
Phil
Phil,
Our 400mm P67 lens has been on loan to a forum member here and is on its way back to us for comparative testing. Even without a side-by-side, it's safe to say that the Leica eats the Pentax lens for lunch. Much, much sharper. Easier to focus. Better contrast. Better build quality. The Leica can be used wide-open without penalty. The Pentax really needs to be shot at f/6.3 or f/8 to extract the best sharpness and then you are fighting shutter speed.
We will post results of our tests when we receive the lens next week and do some shooting.
WOW! That is really great.
I guess there are shot on a tripod? Would like to see some handheld as well.
Looking forward to the whole report.
Cheers.
Hi David:
Leica lenses eat everything for lunch at wide open apertures. My Pentax 400mm tests confirm that the performance is disappointing wide open but greatly improves stopped down 2 stops and even better at 3 stops. In long lenses there is no free lunch. What is the going price for the Leica APO 400mm and modification?
Thanks for running these tests
Phil
Should we assume the larger lens head would work too?
Phil,
My own Pentax 400mm testing yielded the same results. Unfortunately, shooting birds at f/8 - f/11 just doesn't cut it when I was already fighting 1/125th shutter speeds at f/4.
The modification cost is $1200. The lens combo we have is selling for around $6500-7000. Unfortunately, the 1.4x is far less common than the 1x module.
Full review is up in the News and Articles section:
Testing the Leica 400mm APO-Telyt-Modular-R on the Leica S2

David,
Beautiful conversion of the lens. It would be an easy way for Leica to provide manual focus long glass in a short time, just convert the focus modules like you have. Aside from the fact that the 1x tube is too short, the 1.4x increases the image circle as well, yes?
Bookmarks