Long Range Kit

StevenS

Active Member
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There does not seem to be a lot of long range photography here, and I haven't done any for decades.

Anyway, I have a trip or two coming up and wanted to get in to it, and the kit seems to be incredibly heavy and unmanageable. I also don't trust auto-focus and don't like zoom lenses. I suppose it's all the motors and electronics that make them heavy and fragile.

I cogitated for about a year and came up with the idea of a Sony a7r, the second hand prices being very good when the a7rII came out. I looked at some Sony and Canon lenses and almost broke my wrist. The slightly bizarre thing I've come up with is a newly rebuilt 1991 Leica 180 Telyt R (with new front element - the filters had a habit of degrading) and a 2x converter. Two mount adapters are needed, Sony E to Leica M and Leica M to R. This is also handy as I use M lenses and they work well on the Sony.

The lens gives me f3/4 to f22 so the relatively good ISO performance of the a7r gives me good DoF options in decent light.

The only bit that is new is the M to R adapter, but it has the tripod mount, which is very handy and can be easily removed.

This seems to work because the focus peaking on the Sony is so fast and effective. In fact, it's a joy to use.

Here is an image of the contraption, total weight 1.6kg. The hood is shown extended, it just slides back. More importantly, I can get it and a rangefinder in a standard Hadley bag.
IMG_0011.JPG
 
One aspect of our forum that doesn't receive much coverage is wildlife and the natural world so you could be a first with this set up. My longest lens is a Nikon 300mm f4 D Series which is a cracker, just a bit big and heavy but it is some 25-30 years old and still looks like new.
Regards,
Alan
 
One aspect of our forum that doesn't receive much coverage is wildlife and the natural world so you could be a first with this set up. My longest lens is a Nikon 300mm f4 D Series which is a cracker, just a bit big and heavy but it is some 25-30 years old and still looks like new.
Regards,
Alan

It's the big and heavy I have an issue with.

I did a few searches and it seems these R lenses are very popular, lots of them on Nikon, Sony etc. Their current popularity is due their going very well on the new Leica SL mirrorless camera. I saw one this weekend, something north of £5,000 and they are on back-order. My Sony a7r was £700, which seems a no-brainer compared to the X-Pro2 at £1,350.
 
I used this kit in safari recently and it worked very well. Have to keep it rock steady due to lack of IS. All in colour, mind you.

I also dunked my Leica M Monochrom in the Indian Ocean. Killed it. First time for me, not for the lack of trying. Miss it already, neither my Leica Q or Sony a7r can get anywhere close in black and white. Waiting for a payout to get another one.
 
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