luther_berry

Thomas,

 

I have two Kirk BH-3 ball heads and like them very much. I use them on Gitzo 1224 and 1340 tripods with no problems. The ball head weighs 20 oz and will hold my Leica R8 with Leica 280/f4 lens plus 2X extender at any angle without slipping. This is a heavy lens and camera. Check the Leica website for exact weights. LB

Well, the results are finally in on my first test roll with new

R90/f2 APO lens. All images made using Gitzo 1224 tripod; slides

projected onto 6 foot screen using Leica projector.

 

a) Comparison with older R90/f2, indoors with flash, subject = pg 48-

49 of Erwin Puts Leica Lens Compendium book at 2 feet. Older lens:

at f/2, can read words on page but text is noticeably soft around

edges. At f/5.6, image is much sharper, easily read. New lens: at

f/2, can read words on page easily, text is as sharp as with older

lens at f/5.6. At f/5.6, new lens image text is SHARP! No softness

around edges.

 

b) New lens outdoors, natural light, subjects = bee, moth, leaves,

small flowers. At 2 feet using f/2, subjects are very sharp but

naturally with a narrow plane of focus.

 

c) New lens outdoors with Leica 2X APO extender, subject = moth. At

2 feet using f/5.6 indicated, image is still SHARP. Can see

unbelievable details in the wings, no fuzziness observed.

 

d) New lens indoors with flash, head and shoulder portraits. Images

show ALL skin blemishes, freckles, etc. Extreme details visible in

the eyes, eye lashes, eyebrows, etc., again very sharp!

 

Summary: The new lens is indeed great but the cost is much more than

older lens. Question now becomes, which lens to keep and which lens

to sell. LB

Dan, sounds like fun. Wish I could be there and take some more pictures with my new R90 lens. Unfortunately, previous plans will keep me in Houston this weekend. Lots of luck! If you start seeing little green men, it is time to leave the Flying Saucer! LB

Haven't managed to get the projector and screen set up to view test slides of new R90 APO but preliminary examination using magnified viewer indicate the lens is doing its job well. Exposures made using f/2 at close range on tripod show razor sharp image in the narrow plane of focus. More later when slides are viewed on screen. LB

Grant,

I have one of the new R90/f2 APO lenses and just picked up my first roll of test slides today. Will advise results as soon as I can set up the projector and screen for viewing. May be delayed with Halloween coming up. (My young grandson takes precedence even over Leica toys!) Stay tuned for further info. LB

Robin,

 

The normal price quoted for the USA version of the R90/f2 APO is $2095 from two different sources. I was told that these lenses would not be discounted for Leica Days anytime soon. I found a sample of the lens at Photovillage and bought it for a couple of upcoming trips in Nov/Dec. LB

The Leica R users on this forum may be interested to know that Santa

Claus is coming early to my house this year. I have just purchased a

new Leica R 90/f2 APO lens with US warranty which is supposed to be

in my eager hands in two days. Now must try to pick subjects for a

good test this weekend using Kodachrome 64 and Gitzo 1224 tripod. If

this new lens sample is as sharp as expected, I will probably sell my

older version R90/f2 lens. Sweaty palms waiting for delivery on Wed.

Wonder what this lens will cost me for Mama's Christmas gift? LB

Wallace,

 

Absolutely. We have checked on the dates for this festival and are planning our trip for the week following that. LB

My apologies to Dirk for mistyping his name as Dick. My fingers must be getting sleepy. :>) LB

Robert,

 

There are actually two new Leica forums. One is at www.leicainfo.com and is maintained by Dick Seffern who replied above. The other "new" forum is at www.leica-camera.com and is maintained by Leica Camera. For this site, the enrolment procedure does work as advertised. I was able to enrol, receive my authentication number, use it to log in to the forum, and post messages. Format of the forum is very different than this one. Will take some getting used to. Good luck. LB

Thanks to all for the specific suggestions for locations/shots. Will give them a try. I also prefer natural settings and unpenned wildlife. Have visited Texas wildlife/birding areas many times (Aransas Pass, Brazos Bend, Anahuac, Atascosa, Sabal Palms, etc.). But the opportunity to photograph many species in the SDM is too good to pass up when our time in AZ is limited. We will also check out Saguaro and Madera Canyon to scout them for a possible future visit in more depth. Nice shots, Richard. LB

Jay,

 

Your constant negative comments regarding the Leica R8 are getting tiresome. By now, everyone knows your opinion on this subject. So why not restrain your sarcasm and let those of us who do like it have a little space on the forum? Thanks. LB

Wade,

 

I have never heard of this name before. Suspect it may be a private store brand or some such. What brand camera body is it supposed to fit? In any case, I would forget it and buy a known brand. A major brand (used) or even a third party brand would likely be better quality and more reliable. What brand/model camera do you have? LB

I would prefer a Summicron over an Elmarit if Leica made a new 24mm lens because I like maximum brightness for focus and low light level photography. Just my opinion. LB

I use only the R camera. The M camera just doesn't feel comfortable to me after using SLR's for 30 years and there are too many quirks with the focus, parallax, viewfinder alignment, viewfinder flare, etc. Also, my preference is for the longer lenses, i.e. 80 to 400mm, and I like to see the image as it appears thru the lens so the R8 is the natural choice for me. But I think your impression is correct. Most of the participants on this forum do seem to be M users. Good shooting with your choice, whether that be R or M. LB

Mike,

 

Thanks for the input. I have chosen to step down from the larger, heavier lenses due to a steady accumulation of age and decline in physical strength. These days I prefer to work within limitations of the 280/f4 + 2X (both APO). I was hoping that someone familiar with the refuge could suggest locations where the specified lenses could be used effectively. Good light to you! LB

Thanks for the info regarding museum/zoo. Current plans are to spend at least one full day at the zoo with option to return the next morning if more time is needed. I have checked the web site and found no information regarding use of tripods. Are there any restrictions on using tripods in the zoo?

 

Any other tips for zoo or refuge? I will be sure to post an update here in early Dec regarding latest conditions at both sites after our visit. LB

I'm planning a week long trip in late November to be split between

the Sonora Desert Museum in AZ and Bosque del Apache wildlife refuge

in NM. Will be using R80/f1.4, R180/f2.8, and R280/f4 + 2X APO

extender. Hope to get lots of photo opportunities of birds, animals,

and scenic landscapes. Any particular tips for specific photo

opportunities at either of these two spots? TIA. LB

Andy,

 

My R8 meter appears to be right on for both spot and center-weighted (averaging) modes. Have not tried matrix metering mode. I shoot K64 slides and any discrepancy would be quickly obvious. Of course any reflected light meter provides an exposure to "paint" the measured subject as medium color (medium gray, sometimes called 11% gray or 18% gray). I have also checked my R8 meter against my Sekonic L-408 in both reflected and incident modes. All readings agree within less than 0.2 stop with normal subjects. Sounds like your meter may need adjusting by Leica. Good luck. LB

Alfie/Albert,

 

The most significant detail of this exercise is that you think "overnight" is sufficient time to re-edit and re-compose a book which you hope to publish and sell for a not inconsiderable cost. To me, this displays a shallow level of thinking and inadequate skills. I admire your efforts but think you should take more time to learn the crafts of photography and publishing. Take off the rose colored glasses and look at your work with a much more critical eye. But don't lose your vision or ambition! LB

James,

 

Shoot a test roll with the camera mounted on a solid tripod using high speeds. Any fuzziness in pictures should then be due to focus problems with camera, lens, technique, or lab (if prints). Note particularly if the focus is consistently off in the same direction (front or behind) from desired point. Good luck. LB

I think this sort of publication is defined as "Vanity Press". LB

Reto,

 

While the R100/2.8, R180/2.0, and R180/2.8 are all VERY GOOD, I think the best corrected Leica R lens is the 280/4.0 APO.

LB

Mathew,

 

I had two Nikon F3HP's for 15-20 years and never had problems with either one. But anything electronic or mechanical can break. Try contacting Nikon USA for possible repairs. Good luck! LB

Andrew,

 

I think it was the externally supplied "shutter" (Not from Minolta) for the R6.2 that was no longer available and thus led Leica to discontinue the 6.2 camera.

LB