Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank Filippone wrote: > I would like to understand the Telyt lenses for the Visoflex.... They were > made for a long time, and there seem to be many versions.... Which are the > really great lenses in this mount? > > Frank Filippone > red735i@earthlink.net > A better question is which ones were NOT really great. The ones I've used that were available with Visoflex mount are the late 280 f/4.8, 400 f/6.8, 560 f/6.8 and 400 f/5.6. These are all excellent lenses. The 560 f/5.6 and 400mm f/5.0 are also very fine optics, as well as the gigantic and superb 800mm f/6.3, which was available as a Viso lens. The 400 f/5.0 is a very old lens made with thread mount in several variations. Optically it's quite good but I bet you'd get better contrast by stopping it down some. It also has a fine-pitch focussing helix that makes quick focus impossible but fine focus easy. Minimum focus is rather long. The 400 and 560 f/5.6 lenses were made for the Televit rapid-focus mount, which was available either as R or Viso. My experience with the 400 is that it can be focussed quickly and accurately but it's unwieldy as a hand-held lens so the inclusion of a shoulder stock with the Televit is misleading. I like it better on a tripod. I'm working on getting teh Televit set up with shoulder stock and monopod for a good compromise between mobility and stability. This combination works GREAT with the f/6.8 Telyts and the late model 250-R (IMHO). The f/6.8 lenses are better hand-held or monopodded than on a tripod IMHO especially the 560 because it's so front-heavy. Optically they're great, aside from some field curvature. I use mine at full aperture (numerous examples at URL below). I've only used the late version of the 280 f/4.8, 2 samples. The detail rendition is excellent, b*k*h is very smooth and easy on the eyes, but it's more succeptible to flare than the late 250 R or f/6.8 Telyts. Keep the front element shaded from direct sunlight and it's not a problem. The standard focussing helix is slow and has a minimum focus distance of 11.5 feet or so which was a problem for me. The one I have now is on the Televit, so I get quick, accurate focus and a minimum focus distance of just over 6'. Gotta work out the monopod thang, though. I know nothing of the Viso lenses shorter than the 280. Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://www.wildlightphoto.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html