Leica Telyt R 400 / 560 or others - experiences?

[CharlesDAMorgan]

In my new location, one of the UKs main naval bases and busy harbour, I like to do ship spotting. Having way more time on my hands at present, I'm rather taken with the shoulder stock and pistol grip Telyts that Leica made for the R series. Sadly the APO ones are out of my price range for the time being, but the standard Telyts are reasonably inexpensive. Anyone had fun with these before, and are they fit for purpose?

(Fortunately the dealer I know who has a set of 400 and 560s with everything for not a lot is currently closed by the plague so I have managed to hold off to date!).

 

[Vince Lupo]

Charles, I just sold off both my 400/5.6 and 560/5.6 Telyt-M with the Televits on both (no shoulder stock though). Surprisingly the Televit focus arrangement is pretty quick, but of course no match for the AF of today. The 400 is much easier to carry around than the 560 -- the 560 definitely needs a tripod. I sold mine because I was getting better results from my 200-500/5.6 Nikon lens on my Z7, as it has AF, image stabilization that integrates with the camera body, as well as better/current optics (plus it's a lot easier to carry around and use hand-held). But maybe for ship-spotting on a tripod you might be okay with them. One thing is for sure - they're well-priced right now! One thing to remember is that they're both pre-set apertures, but you'll likely be shooting wide open most of the time anyways, so it might not matter.

Having said all that, you should check out the work of Douglas Herr -- he has done some beautiful work with his Telyt lenses on Leica R.

Here's my 560 on my Leica M-D with the Visoflex III. It's a monster!


560 Telyt by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Phwoar!

(takes cold shower)

I have the Fuji XH1 with image stabilisation and I was certainly thinking of a tripod to ease the holding. Of course the Fuji, but means I get another 25% more focal length.

I'll check Douglas Herr out, thanks for all that Vince!

 

[Vince Lupo]

Phwoar!

(takes cold shower)

I have the Fuji XH1 with image stabilisation and I was certainly thinking of a tripod to ease the holding. Of course the Fuji, but means I get another 25% more focal length.

I'll check Douglas Herr out, thanks for all that Vince!

Yeah if you're looking for a little 'compensation', this lens will surely do it 🙂

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Yeah if you're looking for a little 'compensation', this lens will surely do it 🙂

My Nikon 500m mirror lens just gets laughed at 😱

 

[Vince Lupo]

Charles here is Douglas Herr's website: http://www.wildlightphoto.com/

As you can see from his profile photo in the 'about' section, he uses Leica R (not sure if all his photos are with Leica R though). Actually, if you Google those Telyt lenses, you'll see that he weighs in on the pros and cons of the various Telyt lenses on a few photo forums.

 

[Dralowid]

I used to use a 560 Telyt with SL and shoulder stock. Balanced quite well. Later tried it with a Nex 6. Almost impossible.

It is a fantastic thing and was very cheap at the time but I have to say that the novelty wore off after a while...seemed like a good idea but there are a limited number of applications and my attempts to use it on a boat were not that successful.

(By the way, it has a little roller wheel that holds the weight of the lens head when focussing. Needs to be set up right to take the weight otherwise focussing is not smooth, it is underneath.

Do not, under any circumstances, take it anywhere near an airport.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Fortunately, or not if you need to get here quickly, there is no airport now in the vicinity. Although the occasional military helicopter comes flying along, when they can afford the fuel (and if on cue, one appears - I suspect assisting the civil power in suppressing inessential Creme Egg purchasing).

Thank you for the review. I don't work well in boats either.

 

[analoged]

I have both, but use the 560 most. My example is a very late possibly the last run, serial # starting with 34xxxxx and with the newer font. Some examples...

 

[analoged]

 

[analoged]

 

[analoged]

Sorry for the dust on this batch! Also this was my first time using the 560 with my R6.2 and motor drive. The combo itself felt great but I had the standard screen in it and was experiencing some black out of the rangefinder patch. I have since got the correct screen which resembles the one found in my Leicaflex SL.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Thanks analoged - I'll most probably use it with my SL2 or R8, but probably less frequently than digital Fuji.

It does produce very Leica images!

 

[analoged]

I can see using it with the R8 and motor winder, along with the electric cable release that nicely fits in the handle of the shoulder stock. I'll probably never use these Telyts with my Leicaflex's.