Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>> Being totally ignorant of past Telyts, I need to ask the following: Do they all have the focus handle? Does the handle mount on the tripod or is there a separate mount? Which would be the better choice in the 400-600mm range from the standpoint of performance vs. price? <<< Joe, By far the best performance/price ratio is the 400mm f/6.8 Telyt, next would be the 560 f/6.8. I'm not sure what you mean by "focus handle". Both of the f/6.8 Telyts have a trombone-like sliding focus grip which IMHO is very easy to use, more so hand-held than on a tripod. The grip/shoulder stock detaches, revealing a standard tripod socket. On the used market (the only place you'll find these gems) the lens is sometimes sold separately from the shoulder stock. Be sure you get the shoulder stock if you intend to use the lens hand-held. I've also begun to use the older 400mm f/5.6 Telyt, which is focussed with a thumbwheel on the handgrip. There is also a 560mm f/5.6 Telyt that uses the same Televit focus grip. The handgrip is permanently attached. IMHO the f/5.6 Telyts are better suited to tripod work than the f/6.8 Telyts, but may be priced more for collectors than for users. If you want to use the lens hand-held the f/6.8 Telyts are the way to go. Doug Herr Sacramento Telyt photos at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/telyt