Leica SL on Safari

ndwgolf

ndwgolf

Suspended / Banned
Messages
4,692
Name
Neil Williams
Edit My Images
No
In February I'm going back to Tanzania for my second Safari. I'm wondering if any of the members on here have taken there Leica SL's on Safari?
It might not be as crazy as it sounds. You see I'm taking my Nikon 600mm f4 and I will have the neverflex adapter so why not. I don't think AF will work and I'm not sure if I will loose some stops but there's one thing for sure if it's possible I'm up for it.
Next week I'm going on a 2 day birding trip and will take my SL with me and use it rather than the D5. If the pictures look dog sh!t then that will help me make my mind up if I want to take it on Safari.
Anyway let the banter begin and honest feedback would be much appreciated

Neil
 
I would suspect on Safari you want something that you can rely on 100% ... you don't want to be fiddling or worrying if it will work, you want to concentrate on the experience no being a photographer.

So unless its 100% reliable in all situations and all modes, then I'd say yes, you're crazy!
 
Eloise said:
I would suspect on Safari you want something that you can rely on 100% ... you don't want to be fiddling or worrying if it will work, you want to concentrate on the experience no being a photographer.

So unless its 100% reliable in all situations and all modes, then I'd say yes, you're crazy!
Click to expand...
Safari it is then :) :) :)
 
which lens are you taking, presumably all three, the 50mm, 24-90 and 90mm-280mm

The EVR is supposed to be good
 
Last edited:
The adaptor is full manual so you'll lose AF but you won't lose any stops because the aperture is still the same. Focal length will also be the same as your Nikon so I don't see any advantage other than the different sensor and having a shiny body attached to the lens? I'm a big fan of manual lenses on mirrorless but for I don't really see any benefit of using the 600 on the SL when you have the Nikon with you as well?
 
ndwgolf said:
I'm taking Nikon 600mm and Hasselblad 250mm to use on my Leica S........... that's all
Click to expand...

so you can use your 600mm f4 with an adapter and the SL

I found about 420mm VR was what I needed sitting in the back of a Landcruiser ........ but don't you stand up in the back and put the Camera on a big tripod, Neil

presumably you will use the 600mm for birds when you are not moving ........ I'm thinking about taking my 600mm in the New Year, but it is such a big thing to manhandle and I prefer the flexibility of the 300PF plus the 1,7 and 1,4 TC's

I always take my 300mm f2.8VR and I find it works well with all the 3 TC's when on a tripod ... most days the light is good
 
Last edited:
Bill
I'm taking D5 plus 600mm. I'm also taking Leica S007 with a manual Hasselblad 250mm lens.
My wife is taking D500 with 80/400 and 70/200mm. We will have a D810 as a back up.
I plan to use my D5 90% of the time and anything that comes close the Leica.
My Leica SL is just a conversation thing. I will try it on the 600mm next week and if it's crap it will stay at home.
We will be shooting off an open top landcruser and my 600mm will be on a wimberly head the same way I used it in January........ fantastic setup
 
ndwgolf said:
Bill
I'm taking D5 plus 600mm. I'm also taking Leica S007 with a manual Hasselblad 250mm lens.
My wife is taking D500 with 80/400 and 70/200mm. We will have a D810 as a back up.
I plan to use my D5 90% of the time and anything that comes close the Leica.
My Leica SL is just a conversation thing. I will try it on the 600mm next week and if it's crap it will stay at home.
We will be shooting off an open top landcruser and my 600mm will be on a wimberly head the same way I used it in January........ fantastic setup
Click to expand...

I always find a good compact handy (as well)

Nikon V1 + FT-1 and then you can stick your 600mm on the end with no aperture loss and be at 1200mm or 2000m at f5.6 ...... wonderful at not seeing anything through the "heat haze"
 
ndwgolf said:
Bill what's a V1 + FT1....... got a link
Click to expand...

Hi Neil

It is the first Nikon 1 camera - FT-1 is an adapter that allows you to use 90% of the Nikon lens with no lost of AF, (but only single cell) and no loss of aperture value

It is a small 10MP 1" sensor, but because of the "crop" you can fill the frame

It's small and good for just keeping with you

I use mine a lot for Dragonflies at the other end but if you cannot get near the are useful

I have a couple - now £100 to £150 used ........... new model have been introduced, the V3, but it is far too expense

The FT-1 is £200

google both

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikonv1j1
 
ndwgolf said:
Bill what's a V1 + FT1....... got a link
Click to expand...

Good idea. Cool trick for bolting on extreme effective focal length, ie 1600mm f/4. I don't know how well it actually focuses with the 600/4, but it's your best bet and you might be pleasantly surprised (y)

Nikon-1 V3 is the top model, though you'll also need the optional-extra EVF.

V3 camera - https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-1-v3
FT1 - http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/acil/lenses/mount_adapter_ft1/index.htm
Lens compatibility - http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/acil/lenses/mount_adapter_ft1/compatibility.htm
 
Last edited:
V1 - cost me £100 + £150 for the FT-1 - versatile set up - I have a couple

very small camera - mirrorless so can use at low shutter speeds with electronic and mechanical shutter

V1 + FT-1 + Nikon 300mm f2.8 VR + x 2 TC
on tripod
1/100th sec - f8 - ISO 400

V1.jpg



a typical shot
straight OOC - jpeg - no processing
V1 + FT-1 + 600mm f4
1/125th sec - f8 - ISO 400

V1_2.jpg





V1 + FT-1 + 105mm f2.8VR
1/40th sec - f8 -ISO 200

V1_5.jpg






V1 + FT-1 + 300mm f4 AF-S D
1/500th sec - f9 - ISO 400
taken as jpeg

V1_4.jpg




V1 + KIT Lens = 10 30mm

Giraffe_6.jpg



cannot find the "bird" ones - on another computer in the UK
 
Last edited:
BillN_33 said:
I have a couple - now £100 to £150 used ........... new model have been introduced, the V3, but it is far too expense
Click to expand...

Neil bought a Leica SL as a conversation piece and to use as a spare for his Leica S, Nikon FF and Hasselblad film systems so I reckon his budget is above us mere mortals :0)
 
Last edited:
stevelmx5 said:
Neil bought a Leica SL as a conversation piece and to use as a spare for his Leica S, Nikon FF and Hasselblad film systems so I reckon his budget is above us mere mortals :0)
Click to expand...

It's good that someone buys Leica stuff to keep the brand going

I wouldn't worry about what people spend on gear ....... you need expensive specialised gear for certain types of photography, i.e. close ups of birds ........ but at the end of the day it's the images that you take that count

but for general stuff you don't need to spend money as cameras are so good these days

what is good about Africa .......... is that it is just so different, takes you a few stages back as far as nature is concerned and as far as people and culture are concerned ... it is very inspirational, we are off again for a couple of months in January

If you have not seen these images, taken on film, they are very interesting

put them on full screen, don't look at them on your phone or iPad ...... each is worth studying

http://inheritthedust.nickbrandt.com
 
Last edited:
There are some excellent images there, really work to convey their message. Does it say anywhere what film he shot those on? Im a big fan of analogue photography so always good to get ideas for different skin stock.
 
stevelmx5 said:
There are some excellent images there, really work to convey their message. Does it say anywhere what film he shot those on? Im a big fan of analogue photography so always good to get ideas for different skin stock.
Click to expand...

"Shot on medium format black and white film with a Mamiya RZ67 Pro II, the final panoramic image is constructed of several negatives to capture the wide field of vision, which were pieced together in photoshop"


not sure if this is the link, Steve

http://nickbrandtphotography.blogspot.fr
 
Thanks Bill. I'll have a read up to see if he shares the stock anywhere. Looks smooth like Acros but constrasty like TriX
 
ndwgolf said:
Well SL and Noctilux showed up today...... happy shooting
Click to expand...

Do you actually own this oil rig you work on Neil?! :D

Nice glass :thumbs:
 
[QUOTE="HoppyUK, post: 7660578, member:

Nice glass (y)[/QUOTE]
Yes the reason I bought the SL was to be able to buy and use a Noctilux again........... I missed having that lens very much
 
SL with a Noctilux? That's the way to do it. The SL will enable you to get the most out of a notoriously tricky lens. Looking forward to some amazingly focus-isolated lion and leopards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top