Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In recent weeks several LUGgers have contacted me privately for my opinion of these two lenses. So that I can get the exchange in to the archives here's my take on the subject: I haven't used the 350, but I know Jim Brick has one and if I'm reading his posts correctly it's "'til death do us part" for its optical qualities. My opinion of the 400 f/6.8 is the same, for its hand-holdability and quick handling. Obviously it's a personal choice and will depend on personal working style rather than which lens is "better". The only person I know of who has used both lenses is Gary Hanlon, who has no e-mail and no permanent address. He's presently working for the Park Service in Kings Canyon National Park, east of Fresno in California. He prefers the 400 for it's faster focussing action. I like the 400's sliding-focus action when used hand-held but IMHO it's not as convenient on a tripod as the older Televit lenses or a more conventional concentric-ring focus like the 350 has. The 350 isn't quite an internal-focus design, and not quite conventional; it allows a very close minimum focus distance with a relatively short-throw focus ring. The later version of the 250 f/4 Telyt is a similar design and in my experience is very convenient in field use. The 400 f/6.8 is a very simple 2-element acromat at the end of a hollow aluminum tube. It can be dis-assembled in the field for cleaning or repairs with no more tools than an ordinary screwdriver. It can produce extremely sharp images with saturated colors, a pleasant bokeh and little tendancy to flare, but has a slight field curvature typical of this optical design. Typical eBay selling prices for this lens are around $500 or $600 with the shoulder stock. The 350 is much more scarce and usually sells for at least twice as much as a 400 f/6.8 in comparable condition. Jim, can you add anything to this? Doug Herr Sacramento http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/telyt ___________________________________________________ The ALL NEW CS2000 from CompuServe Better! Faster! More Powerful! 250 FREE hours! Sign-on Now! http://www.compuserve.com/trycsrv/cs2000/webmail/