Re: [Leica] RE: Pitfalls of 400 6.8 R

[tedgrant@islandnet.com (Ted Grant)]

>I used a 400 6.8 for a couple days and hated it.  I couldn't get used to
>the sliding focus mechanism and worse yet was having to focus it while the
>lens is stopped down to the working aperture or changing it back and forth
>since it does not open and close automatically to the working aperture
>like normal lenses do.>>>>

Hi Duane,

Too bad mon ami! I worked with one for quite a few years along with the 560
and most of the time I shot wide open. Yep the sliding focus barrel took a
bit of time to get onto, but I bet I could outfocus any autofocus gear
onthe block today with it once I got the hang of it! :)

Actually I've been sorry on many occaision since that I sold them after
buying the Apo 280 2.8. The 400 was light and lightning fast to focus and
as I said, I used them both most of the time wide open or maybe 1 stop
down.  They were only good for outdoor shooting. No they didn't create the
snap of the Apo 280, but they sure cut sharp images when I needed it.

A shame you let it go before really getting the feel of it.:(

One photograph I shot using the 560 was the fingertips of the 8 mens
hundred meter finalist at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics just as they were
setting their fingers to the track for the start.

Twenty years later at the Barcelona Summer Olymics in the Main Press Centre
Kodak lab,  they had the picture up as a duratran about 4' X 6'. So you
never know how good a lens can make you look after twenty years!:)

ted