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.
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.