Leica 2x APO Extender

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Own a Leica R7, considering purchase of Leica R 2x APO extender. Have old 135mmR 2.8, 50mmR 2.0, and 35-70mmR 3.5 lenses so far. Anyone have any feedback, info., comments on Leica's 2x extender. Anyone use one? Appreciate any advice. Don't know too many Leica R users. (I also own an M6 which is quickly becoming my camera of choice except for closeup and dista

-- Debby Dion (dkdion@home.com), July 21, 1999

Answers

I have the Extender-R 2X (non APO) and I love it. I'd be pretty sure that the APO version is at least twice as good!

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), July 21, 1999.

Debbie I read with interest your comments about the M6 gradually becoming your first choice camera. Up until last year I was running both R & M cameras and eventually decided to sell all my R equipment since I was hardly ever using it. The M6 was the camera I was using all the time, however the capability I missed with the R series was for close-up work. To give me some close-up capability with the M6 I purchased a Leitz copying stand code name "beoon" or code No 16511.This is used with the 50mm Summicron and gives close-up ratios of 1:1, 1:1.5,1:2 & 1:3. I read about this Leitz equipment from an interesting article in the LHSA. It will never replace the full close-up capability of the R series but I have found this equipment really usefull and it is available at reasonable prices second hand.

-- Alan Stokes (beoon@lineone.net), July 25, 1999.

Debby

The 2x Apo ?

Sounds like you are planning on owning Apo lenses in the future. A little pricey but a solid performer if coupled with an Apo lens. I use it with 70-180 Apo zoom, and the combination is sharp as heck (picture wise and not look wise.) I can make out very sharp and brightly a woodpecker perched on a tree branch across the street at max setting with the doubler.

But the combination is very heavy on the wrist, just can't be handheld anymore, you gonna need at minimum a monopod with a fast film (at 360 mm (2x180) the minimum required shutter speed is 500th to 1000th of a sec. with a heavy and steady tripod's help.)

I also use M6 for handheld candids, but so far I can't get rid of the R system because their lenses ar very compelling for my purposes. My other R lens is the 15 mm super wide job. Whew what a sight, with it I can focus down to an inch in front of the glass and still looking at the scenes clear and yes ... super wide. It's so funky and a blast.

Good luck to you.

-- Robert S (rvrcity@erols.com), August 01, 2000.


The 2x extender is a great piece of equipment. I've used it with everything from 24mm to 70-21 Zoom and it works well with everything. A really excellent piece of Leitz glass. Don't worry about the APO unless you are desperate for Colour accuracy.

-- Tony Brookes (gdz00@lineone.net), January 12, 2002.

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