Leica SL 601 / Novoflex Noflexar 'T' 400mm f5.6 / Novoflex 'squeeze trigger' follow focus mount / Leitz R bellows / Leitz R APO 2x extender / Novoflex R to SL adapter / small Gitzo tripod / Novoflex fork mount . The plywood board enables placing the tripod as close to the pond edge as possible - thus enabling closer focus on the middle of pond flora and insects. The mating Blue-tailed Damselflies were perched on a reed approx 1.75m to the left of the plywood board
1/250sec, approx effective aperture f11, ISO 1600
The Noflexar 'T' 400mm is a 50 years young 3 element achromat 'telescope lens' … as distinct from telephoto lens. Designed by Novoflex, manufactured by Staeble Optic Altenstadt near Schongau, Bavaria c.1969.
It's possible to buy the Noflexar T 400mm secondhand on eBay for less than $100; it's a superb optic and recommended by Doug Herr - the Birdman of Sacramento. Novoflex still supply adapters for their follow focus mounts enabling fitting to most modern cameras.
The camera body is shown perched on the 'seat' of my Eckla Multi-Rolly trolley seat. The apparatus is quite heavy especially when using the plywood board - and it's a long walk from the car park to the reserve's ponds. The indispensable Eckla trolley makes light work of the bulky apparatus. - but it's a bumpy ride - so any lens heads are carried separately in a shoulder bag to avoid shaking the optics.
To illustrate the Eckla trolley seat in use at Swaddywell Pit Reserve … photo taken earlier in the year by my friend and forum member barnack-bill (Mike J)
Best wishes
dunk
EDIT: Originally and erroneously titled 'Mating Common Blue Damselflies' … now amended to 'Mating Blue-tailed Damselflies' … apologies for any confusion.
