I think is was Doug Herr who said, "Life begins at 400mm.' What he didn't mention is that sometimes Life DEPENDS on 400mm!

Wheee!

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 11, 2002

Answers

SHeesh. Wrong LINK! Try THIS

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 11, 2002.

..400 f/6.8 Telyt....

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 11, 2002.

Way to go, Andy. Do you find the f/6.8 lens fast enough for handholding and/or for medium-speed films?

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 12, 2002.

Purrr-fect Andy!

-- Bert Keuken (bkkn@wanadoo.nl), March 12, 2002.

Andy, I thought we'd all agreed not to post pet photographs on this forum? I'll leave it to Jacques to give you the tonguelashing you deserve.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), March 12, 2002.

Really great picture. a. was it captive? b. what happens if you photoshop out the twigs... In any case, nice one.

-- Steve Jones (stephenjjones@btopenworld.com), March 12, 2002.

if your pictures aren't good, you're not close enough. try that with a 35mm and you're my hero!

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), March 12, 2002.

Perfect situation for the voigtlander 12/5.6, IMO.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), March 12, 2002.

if Andy tries that with the 12mm lens, we'll probably see the lion's throat. ouch!

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

Andy,

Pardon my ignorance, but did you use a Viso?

Even if you didn't it made me "hook-up" my Viso III acquired as part of a kit with a 200 1:4.0. It's built like a tank.

Any helpful hints to speed up meter/framing operation?

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), March 12, 2002.

I believe the M7 mated with a VisoIII would speed up metering with the 400 6.8 telyt. The combination would be quite interesting as I prefer to use the viso over the R4.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), March 12, 2002.

Mark,

I'm SURE the Viso III (I have) will NOT fit on a TTL or M7. The prism comes VERY close to the top plate of my M6 Wetzler.

BTW, do YOU have any Viso tips just in case Andy doesn't answer?

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), March 12, 2002.

Mark,

Viso III WILL fit on the M7. The one I have, II or IIA (still don't know) will not. Sorry for the misinformation.

I still need tips though. Maybe I'll just do more searching or start another thread, since this is off-topic.

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), March 12, 2002.

Mark,

The Viso III will fit on the TTL or M7, if you have the correct Viso III 4x eyelevel finder.

The 4x eyelevel finder that came with the Viso II will mate with a Viso III properly, but it's shape will not allow clearance with the top cover of either of these bodies.

The proper finder for the Viso III is flat on the bottom, while the Viso II finder is "stepped" slightly. You can also leave the finder on the Viso III while mounting and dismounting, as it does not rotate to release. Rather, you rotate the bayonet attachment.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerry Pfile (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 12, 2002.

No Viso - Leica SL body. No Heliar 12mm either (Phew!) Captive (Zoo) from about 60 feet.

Bob: I use a monopod, mostly so that I can concentrate the use of my hands on focusing instead of holding, and just so that I can rest the lens on something between shots (it's fairly light but it ain't no 35 Summicron-M!). This shot was Pan F at EI 80 - f/6.8 @ 1/500. I've generally gotten good results at 1/250 (Velvia in sunlight) handheld. But focusing is definitely easier when your hands don't have to carry the weight as well.

The shoulder stock might help, too, but in this day and age I just don't feel comfortable waving something that looks like an TOW missile launcher around a zoo full of children. (sigh)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 12, 2002.

A Viso would have scared the lion. Hell, it alarms me too - reminds me of late victorian plumbing (Viso, not the lion). ;-)

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), March 12, 2002.

Chris Chen:

I attempted to reply to you and it came back as a bad e-mail address.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), March 12, 2002.