Go Long: Tips for Long Lenses?

[nation_of_pomation]

I recently went out with a 135mm lens and tried some shooting with very poor results that I will assume for the sake of this thread are the result of user error. Does anyone have any tips for shooting long lenses (say 75mm and up) on a rangefinder, particularly for those of us using external viewfinders while shooting?

 

[S.H.]

Well, some tips I learned the hard way :
- check lens calibration (bad idea to mount an FSU 85 or 135 on a Leica without checking it, for example)
- check RF calibration
- re check RF calibration 😛
- use a magnifier (x1.25 or x1.4) : very useful!!
- use a speed > 1/250

I myself have had good results with a 90 f2 or 135 2.8, but often with a Visoflex. Without it, wide open and at short range the Leica RF is barely accurate enough, there are missed shots. So in some cases :
- take multiple shots with slight focus variations

 

[ruby.monkey]

Use an SLR. 😉

 

[Richard G]

90 is a standard Leica lens and while going out with just that makes for a different experience, that is just the way to learn to use an unfamiliar focal length. Keep the shutter speed high and if at maximum aperture, especially if bigger than f4, focus very carefully.

I revived my use of the 135 f4 Tele Elmar a few years ago by buying the 135 SHOOC finder and I use this whenever possible. It is great for framing and makes the whole experience much better. I have had pin sharp photos even from the M9 which Leica warns may not serve well at 135 focal length and maximum aperture.

While I like if possible to have the shutter speed denominator double the focal length or more, I have had some pleasing shots at 1/60s and even 1/30s when resting on something. Seeing things with the 135 focal length is a challenge and I haven't mastered that really, but one day I will go out to one of my favourite places in the city with just the 28 and the 135 and see how I go.

Good luck. Don't give up.


135 Tele Elmar f4 at f4 on an M9.


L1002052.jpg by Richard GM2, on Flickr

 

[rbelyell]

short answer is to use faster film.

longer answer is there are 3 issues that effect rf long lens performance: inability of rf cameras to accurately close focus, very shallow depth of field that radically reduces in focus areas, and low shutter speeds leading to appearance of misfocus.

to reduce problems stemming from 2&3 above one needs to shoot stopped down and at a decent shutter speed, like the fellow said above, 250 or so. these factors mean one must use a faster film in order to not compromise exposure.

in terms of close focusing a subject, you just cant. one needs to find the closest acceptable distance that your camera/lens combo can deliver. i start out about twice the closest focus distance the lens allows and take successive shots of the same static subject reducing the subject distance about a foot each time.

hope this helps.
tony

 

[icebear]

I recently went out with a 135mm lens and tried some shooting with very poor results ...

You didn't specify why poor : Is it plane of focus not where you focused the lens or are the shots unsharp due to camera shake?
But you already got a couple of answers for both issues.

...
135 Tele Elmar f4 at f4 on an M9.


L1002052.jpg by Richard GM2, on Flickr

Hello Richard,
I also have 4/135 and rarely use it. I will pick it up again thanks to this post.
Usually I don't like "cat shots" (or pet shots in general) but this one besides the technically impressive quality, also perfectly captured the expression of the cat, the staring is just wow.

 

[Eric T]

Long distance focusing just isn't the forte of rangefinders.
For telephoto shots, I use m4/3rds almost exclusively now. The gear is so much lighter.
I especially like the Panasonic 100-300mm lens.

 

[Don Parsons]

I agree with Ruby, use the right tool for job, an SLR.

 

[RAZOR]

The longest lens I am comfortable using on my M6 is a 90 tele elmarit. I think 135 is pushing it with the M system...That being said, I have also seen wonderful results with the 135.

 

[mervynyan]

stable tripod, mirror up and/or leaf shutter. rf is not very adapt in tele jobs

 

[nation_of_pomation]

You didn't specify why poor : Is it plane of focus not where you focused the lens or are the shots unsharp due to camera shake?
But you already got a couple of answers for both issues.

Sorry, the problem is missed focus. I definitely shot all of these at 1/250th or 1/500th. I'll include the samples in question at the bottom of this post. I also don't get why people are talking smack about rangefinders and long lenses. They wouldn't have made 135mm through 85mm lenses for every rangefinder system ever (I'm generalizing) if it weren't doable. I feel like SLR shooting is the easy way out for me, this is a matter of principle at this point. And RF adjustment might be in order, these were from the test roll on the Zorki-6 I just got. Some others in a different thread in the FSU boards suggested it might be a compatibility issue with the long Canon lenses using a tab to focus instead of a ring around the entire base of the lens, but that remains to be seen. Also, Richard, did you use a tripod for that shot of the cat if you remember? It is quite good. I'm not a total newcomer to RF shooting, just to trying lenses longer than 50mm and it's like learning to walk again. Per the compatibility issue, I'm going to try a Jupiter-11 on the Zorki-6 and I also got a good deal on a Jupiter-9, so maybe 85mm will be a better focal length to get comfortable with. Thank you for all the tips so far!

Here, I was aiming for the bit of the grass in the center of the photo.

Here, I was aiming for the weed growing in the middle and got the edge of the palette behind it.

Here, I was aiming for the knot in the middle and got the string off to the right in focus instead.

 

[taskoni]

Coud be that the focus is misaligned on your RF as noted above. Try to shoot from tripod at the minimal focus distance a newspaper and something at infinity and you'll know more.

 

[nation_of_pomation]

Coud be that the focus is misaligned on your RF as noted above. Try to shoot from tripod at the minimal focus distance a newspaper and something at infinity and you'll know more.

I think I'll do that shortly and get back to you guys about it! I've also got a Canon P coming back from being serviced by Youxin Ye in Massachusetts, so I might do them both with the Canon 135mm, or be patient and get a J-11 and test them both.