Re: [Leica] 2.8/100 APO R+APO Ext R 2x

[Richard Clompus <rclompus@voicenet.com>]

Roger wrote:

<snip>Based on this input, a friend acquired a new APO Extender R 2x from
another vendor. He was not impressed with the results. Apparently, there
was a good deal of sharpness fall off both in center and edges. 
<snip>

I use the 100/2.8 Apo with the 2X Apo extender.  I acquired the 2X extender
so that I could get the 1:1 magnification with the macro lens.  In reading
Leica's literature, the BAS report for the 100 macro apo and the apo
extender was "in a class by itself."  I have also used the 2x apo extender
with the 70-200 Leica R zoom.

My results (mainly from examination of slides)indicate that the combination
works best when the prime lens is stopped down two stops.  This would make
using the 100 apo lens more like a maximum aperture of f11.  The results
with this combination have been very good.  Extra care should be taken to
focus as critically as possible.  The results aren't that bad with the
70-200 zoom - changing this into a 140-400 zoom.  This combination has only
been used on a tripod with the aperture at least two stops from maximum.
My only complaint about the 2X extender with the 70-200 zoom is that it is
very heavy and a tripod adapter is needed for this combination of optics.
Interesting that Leica makes a tripod adapter for the 100/2.8 macro apo but
not for any of their heavier zoom lenses.  

I have not used the special ?Elpro front lens for the 100/2.8 macro lens.
This may be a better combination for getting to 1.1:1 reproduction ratio as
this special lens was made just for the apo macro lens.

Happy shooting,

Richard
- ---------------------
Richard Clompus, OD
West Chester, PA, USA

 

>The lens, by itself, spoils you and you look for similar performance 
>with the extender. Though I didn't see the results, my friend has a 
>keen eye and his word was good enough for me.
>
>Anyone else with experience with this combination? The two sides of the 
>issue are rather far apart. I suspect that if it were not for the fact 
>that we are discussing an acknowledged "champ" in Leica's stable of 
>lenses, used with their APO Extender, we might be better able to accept 
>the usual degradation in performance using extenders.
>
>
>
>--
>Roger Beamon  
>       Naturalist & Photographer
>       mailto:roger@beamon.org
>          
>          Thought for the day:
>      It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
>
>
>