I am in possession of the f4 280mm Apo Telyt lens. I picked it up from the PO earlier this afternoon. Initial examination of the lens looks quite good. Glass is mint as stated, the lens cosmetically is probably approaching mint or so. I mounted a RRS QR plate on the lens, the lens onto my R8 and mounted everything onto my tripod. Everything appeared to focus properly, but I will run some digital testing probably tomorrow. Focus appears to be correct and quite smooth. The red dot Leica logos were under the tape as suspected but there is no 77mm engraving on the lens; this must have come later. But the instructions indicate that the lens takes a front 77mm filter and I confirmed it. The series 5.5 UV drop in filter was installed in the lens as well.
The lens is rather diminutive when compared with its larger brother the f2.8 Apo Telyt and will certainly be much much more practical for travel.
I will try to post some photos providing I do not find any problems as I continue to check out the lens. I may well then post photos not only of the lens but also of all of my Leica Apo lenses and one comparing the size of the 2 280mm Apo Telyt lenses.
Only APS-C Nikons, shaving back of lens might be needed. FF supposedly not possible (tho maybe shaving both mirror and lens might work). If you are not spoiled, its good lens, but not worth that much surgery.
naturephoto1 wrote:
I am in possession of the f4 280mm Apo Telyt lens. I picked it up from the PO earlier this afternoon. Initial examination of the lens looks quite good. Glass is mint as stated, the lens cosmetically is probably approaching mint or so. I mounted a RRS QR plate on the lens, the lens onto my R8 and mounted everything onto my tripod. Everything appeared to focus properly, but I will run some digital testing probably tomorrow. Focus appears to be correct and quite smooth. The red dot Leica logos were under the tape as suspected but there is no 77mm engraving on the lens; this must have come later. But the instructions indicate that the lens takes a front 77mm filter and I confirmed it. The series 5.5 UV drop in filter was installed in the lens as well.
The lens is rather diminutive when compared with its larger brother the f2.8 Apo Telyt and will certainly be much much more practical for travel.
I will try to post some photos providing I do not find any problems as I continue to check out the lens. I may well then post photos not only of the lens but also of all of my Leica Apo lenses and one comparing the size of the 2 280mm Apo Telyt lenses.
1- We have now 3 versions of the APO 280/4
- No red dots on the sides and no 77mm
- Red dots but no 77mm
- Red dots and 77mm
All take the 77mm filters.
2- Series 3 UV filter?
Do you have a UV filter in the drawer? Are you sure or maybe a typo?
There should be an NDx1 filter (13026).
I cannot trace the availability of a UV filter for the 5.5 series.
The only other filter is the CP filter (13338) which comes with it's own drawer.
3- In case you have the time, I am interested to know the color of the front lens (although it carries a protective lens)? Maybe you can check under neutral light?
Almass wrote:
Congratulation on the best lens ever.
1- We have now 3 versions of the APO 280/4
- No red dots on the sides and no 77mm
- Red dots but no 77mm
- Red dots and 77mm
All take the 77mm filters.
2- Series 3 UV filter?
Do you have a UV filter in the drawer? Are you sure or maybe a typo?
There should be an NDx1 filter (13026).
I cannot trace the availability of a UV filter for the 5.5 series.
The only other filter is the CP filter (13338) which comes with it's own drawer.
3- In case you have the time, I am interested to know the color of the front lens (although it carries a protective lens)? Maybe you can check under neutral light?
Sorry, I said UV filter. I am almost positive that is a ND X1 filter. My error I typed too quickly without thinking that over.
Looking at the front of the lens I would say that the coating color is a magenta.
I think that I will run my first tests of the lens this morning. But that will only be on my Lumix G1. I expect to be ordering a Fuji probably X-E1 next week. I know, better going from a 2X to a 1.5X sensor for all of the lenses. But, I expect that I will be getting a FF camera sometime next year. Quite possibly the new Leica M.
I ran some quick checks with the "new" Leica f4 Apo Telyt on my Lumix G1. Everything was tripod mounted. Certainly the lens appears to be out resolving the sensor and the camera's ability. Some astonishing performance for the lens on such a small sensor. I focused at relatively short distances in the house of possibly 10 and 20 feet and also out the open door approaching infinity. I also mounted the camera onto a shift adapter and took some photos at maximum shift of 10mm to get an idea of what the lens would perform on a FF camera. I opened the digital files for some of these images and looked at them at Pixel level and I almost fell on the floor due to the sharpness and detail right out of the camera without any Post processing or sharpening. The images looking out the open door approaching infinity did not appear to have quite the sharpness but I noticed in particular movement (vibration) as I maxed out the magnified view with EVF finder. I may have been slightly off on the focus for the longer shots. I suspect and would have to confirm this that I am seeing some vibration in the adapter mount to the camera. I also suspect if I used my RRS Long lens support system with the lens and locked the camera via the camera L bracket to the rail that the images at least at distance may be still sharper.
I will try to get some photos of the lens uploaded to the site shortly. I am pretty sure that as expensive as it was that this lens is a keeper.
naturephoto1 wrote:
I ran some quick checks with the "new" Leica f4 Apo Telyt on my Lumix G1. ... I opened the digital files for some of these images and looked at them at Pixel level and I almost fell on the floor due to the sharpness and detail right out of the camera without any Post processing or sharpening.
Perfectly normal for this lens
naturephoto1 wrote I am pretty sure that as expensive as it was that this lens is a keeper.
naturephoto1 wrote:
I ran some quick checks with the "new" Leica f4 Apo Telyt on my Lumix G1. Everything was tripod mounted. Certainly the lens appears to be out resolving the sensor and the camera's ability. Some astonishing performance for the lens on such a small sensor. I focused at relatively short distances in the house of possibly 10 and 20 feet and also out the open door approaching infinity. I also mounted the camera onto a shift adapter and took some photos at maximum shift of 10mm to get an idea of what the lens would perform on a FF camera. I opened the digital files for some of these images and looked at them at Pixel level and I almost fell on the floor due to the sharpness and detail right out of the camera without any Post processing or sharpening. The images looking out the open door approaching infinity did not appear to have quite the sharpness but I noticed in particular movement (vibration) as I maxed out the magnified view with EVF finder. I may have been slightly off on the focus for the longer shots. I suspect and would have to confirm this that I am seeing some vibration in the adapter mount to the camera. I also suspect if I used my RRS Long lens support system with the lens and locked the camera via the camera L bracket to the rail that the images at least at distance may be still sharper.
I will try to get some photos of the lens uploaded to the site shortly. I am pretty sure that as expensive as it was that this lens is a keeper.
4/3 sensors are actually pretty awesome for leica telephotos assuming you have enough light. even my 350/4.8 seems to easily out resolve the sensor wide open and the 2x crop factor is great for birding. i loved shooting it with my olympus e520 because of the IBIS as well. the only downsides were horrible noise above iso 400 and a crappy viewfinder.
sebboh wrote:
4/3 sensors are actually pretty awesome for leica telephotos assuming you have enough light. even my 350/4.8 seems to easily out resolve the sensor wide open and the 2x crop factor is great for birding. i loved shooting it with my olympus e520 because of the IBIS as well. the only downsides were horrible noise above iso 400 and a crappy viewfinder.
Unfortunately the Lumix G1 was the first Micro 4/3 camera with only a 12.1 MP sensor versus the new ones with 16.1 MP which I would presume would be still better.
But, as I have mentioned I believe that I will be opting for the Fuji X-E1 with a 16.3 MP sensor at 1.5X crop possibly next week. The Lumix will become the 2nd body for the time being at least until I get probably a FF Mirrorless camera body I suspect sometime next year.
G1 had probably weakest AA filter from all Panny cams. I had it too, when it was new. Was quite impressive from resolution point of view, much less from any other..
zhangyue wrote:
I feel this 35cron has beautiful bokeh. your images confirm it.
BTW, good taste about the lens.
Thank you and likewise.
Yes, this lens doesn’t lose much despite its age. I like its colour and saturation; it can clearly compete with its Zeiss equivalent, IMO.
On a plus side, it can be quite sharp in the center area if used with a decent (Leitax) adapter. Extreme corners are on a soft side though. New Leica lens profiles from Adobe ARC 7.3 beta version may address some of Cron's geometric imperfections.
I am not sure what to do. A couple of days ago as many of you know I took receipt of one of the very expensive f4 280mm Apo Telyt lenses. It was marked as M for the glass which it is and the lens appears to be cosmetically in close to M- condition. I have run some preliminary tests and the lens appears to be performing exceptionally well on my Lumix G1 camera for digital tests.
The issue is that the paper work that came with the lens and the case definitely have a musty probably moldy/mildew odor like in my basement. The lens has a bit of odor to it that may be a little like that of the the case (which otherwise is in fine condition) but not nearly as strong. The glass all looks mint and very clean. I can see no problems inside on the optics when I view through the lens toward a light source. The focus of the lens is smooth and everything is as it should be, It is possible that the lens may have picked up a little of the smell being packed in the case being shipped from Poland.
So, what do you think, should I keep the lens or should I send it back to the seller?
1- Try the usual test of shining a torch at angles in case you can spot any Fungus or debris..etc.
Which you seems you already did?
2- Try shining a Black light (preferably long wave as Short wave is rather harmful to the eyes) to reveal any fungus or bacteria or maybe glue separation.....etc.
3- Take the lens out and place wide open with no caps in a well tight plastic container with an open small jar filled with Sodium bicarbonate. Keep the container closed for few days and check for smell and renew the Bicarb.
This will get rid of the smell and do the same in a different container for the paper work, strap, case...etc.
4- Last resort, send back to Solms for a CLA.
Whatever you do, keep the lens and all paper, case....etc VERY SEPARATE from your other lenses.
In the mean time, inform the seller of the situation and that you are considering sending the lens back pending your tests.
Good Luck.
N.B. Please be very careful when you use Black Light. I take no responsibility for this procedure and is entirely at your own risk.
