TELYT R 350mm F4.8
A review and Photo example of the TELYT-R 350mm F4.8 with the HASSELBLAD X1DII-50c.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Sample photo taken with the X1DII.
Review
1．Overview
The Terito R 350mm was a telephoto lens released in 1979. According to the Wiki information on the overseas Leica-Forum, 2,650 units were produced by 1993. The main specifications are a lens configuration of 7 elements in 5 groups, a minimum shooting distance of 3m, and 8 aperture blades.
2．Usability
The barrel shape of the Terito R 350mm is a neat design seen in the later Leica R lenses.
The image quality is typical of old telephoto lenses, and the number of lens elements is small, so the image quality is clear, but false colors can appear around the subject. The minimum shooting distance is 3m, so you can’t get very close, but since it’s a telephoto lens, this is probably a normal specification.
In terms of operability, the focus ring is wide and easy to turn. The aperture ring is attached to the lens and is solidly built so that it won’t rotate unintentionally.
It weighs just under 2kg, but it doesn’t feel that heavy because it’s long and slender. Since the lens is 29cm long, it may not fit in your camera bag when attached to the camera. The hood is a retractable type, and the hood is long enough to be reassuring when outdoors.
This lens is sometimes seen on the market, but the price varies greatly. The one I own was slightly cloudy and I bought it for several tens of thousands of yen. The lens is probably in good condition, but I have seen it priced at around 150,000 yen.
There are German (ELW) and Canadian (ELC) versions, but I have only seen the German version (ELW).
Using the x2 APO-EXTENDER and x2-EXTENDER, it can be used as a 700mm F11 lens.
Due to the position of the rear lens, it seems that the x1.4 APO-EXTENDER can also be used, but I have not tested it in person so I am not sure.
All Leica telephoto lenses have a wide image circle, and this lens covers the 44 x 33 mm sensor of the X1DII-50c, so there is no vignetting in the corners. When using the electronic shutter of the X1DII, care must be taken to avoid image distortion caused by subject movement, but it is more resistant to camera shake than a mechanical shutter.
Of course, it can be used with the EOS-1DsMKIII without any problems, but since it has a long focal length of 350mm, there is a high risk of camera shake due to the shutter mechanism of a single-lens reflex camera. I envy recent cameras that have an in-body image stabilization mechanism.
There is also the Terito R 250mm F4, which has the same shape as this lens but a slightly shorter focal length.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the Terito R 350mm, it is a long lens for its focal length and is not easy to handle.
False colors can appear around the subject, and chromatic aberration can be bothersome.
Specification
| Item | TELYT 350 (11915) | TELYT 250 (11925) |
| focal length(mm) | 350 | 250 |
| Maximum aperture | 4.8 | 4 |
| Minimum aperture | 22 | 22 |
| Lens configuration | 8 | 8 |
| Leaf blade | 7 elements in 5 groups | 7 elements in 6 groups |
| Minimum distance(m) | 3.0 | 1.7 |
| Lens length(mm) | 286 | 195 |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 83.5 | 75 |
| Filter type | 77 | 67 |
| Weight(g) | 1,820 | 1,230 |
| Hood | Build in | Build in |
| Lens mount | LEICA R | LEICA R |
| Release date | 1979-1993 | 1980-1993 |
| Production numbers | 2,650 | 3,663 |
Reference links
- Japanese books：All about the R-type Leica/Author: Shinichi Nakamura/Edited by Asahi Sonorama Ads by Amazon japan
- TELYT-R 4.8/350 Leica wiki
- LELYT-R 4.8/350 Detailed Report
Update history
- 2024.03.03:Update article
- 2022.02.27:First draft
Affiliate links
- Leica Lens・Ads by Amazon
- Leica Books・Ads by Amazon
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