Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/07/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]seungmin@luxmail.luxcom.com wrote: > > Hi Patrick, > > I tried it on my SL and R4 last night in success. I thought it > should have the same kind of mount as the other R lenses. The lens > was lighter than I thought. I think I really like it if the glass > quality is excellent enough. > > Thanks, > David > The 400mm 6.8R lens has an excellent optic that is comprised of 2 achromat elements cemented together. According the Leitz, both the 560mm and 400mm lenses are deliberately designed not to produce a flat field. Around the edges of the frame there is a slight bias toward the foreground. This is particularly useful in nature photography where the lens will render a sharp animal and with the lens' bias, the foreground will morely likely be in focus than with a conventional flat field lens. When I travel, I carry both the 400 and 560 heads and use the rear tube interchangably. I truly like the slide focusing of the lenses. It is extremely fast and accurate - particularly for handheld shots with a shoulder support. The 560 lens is front heavy when mounted on a tripod. Through Really Right Stuff in California, I purchased an adapter plate that permits the lens to be centered on an Arca-Swiss head, thus minimizing the possibility of a catastrophe in the heat of a shoot. Finally, to clean the glass in both the 400 and 506 heads, simply unscrew it from the front of the lens. Initially, I hesitated to do this but a Leica representative demonstrated the procedure and it is incredibly simple. Bill Christensen