Hi Marc, The Leica DMR was the last Leica camera I used. I still have the 180, 280 and 400 2.8 APO lenses but since making the switch to Olympus those lenses sit unused. I’ve been shooting with the OM-1 Mk2 and the 100-400 Olympus lens with and without the 1.4 and 2X teleconverters. It has completely transformed my photography as the results I’m getting are superior to anything I’ve ever seen from any camera system.

Being someone who shot and processed my own black and white and color film for more than 30 years, and printed Cibachromes with the Leica V35 Focomat enlarger, I am amazed at the results I’m getting when using extreme iso’s (as high as 25,600 iso) when processing the Raw files with Adobe Camera Raw.

Few subjects have detail as fine as a hummingbird feather, so being able to see no detail in an extremely high iso file completely transformed by Adobe Camera Raw is something I never expected to see in my life. Until now I only shot once at 3200 iso, fearing the loss of fine detail. Now I have no reservations at shooting images above 12,800 iso.

Thanks to your article on the Pistock-C I can now leave the tripod at home and be free to move around with the Pistock-C and a monopod when extreme focal lengths are used.

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You’re welcome, Leicaman! I’m guessing you’re now using the Telyts with a Leica SL camera? Either way, I wish you all the best with your new setup. Keep us updated on how things turn out after you’ve done your tests with the new gear.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!
Best regards,
Marc

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I have an ancient Novoflex shoulder stock that came with my Leica 400 and 560 Telyt lenses that I never used with the Telyts as I was using the Telyt’s while shooting film with Leica R cameras. And of course there was no such thing as in-body image stabilization with those cameras, so I always used a metal Gitzo Series 5 tripod with an Arca B1 ball head for stability.

The Pistock-C appears to be an improved design and more comfortable, so if this used Pistock-C has the threading it could be a practical solution. In any event, I can adapt my Novoflex shoulder mount to my monopod so I’ll do some tests with the 100-400 with the 1.4TC while shooting hummingbirds to see if this provides sharp results. I still shot with a tripod, so the shoulder mount will make it possible to move around without having to drag my carbon fiber tripod around.

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Hello Leicaman!
The screw at the bottom of the mounting plate does indeed have internal threading, though it’s 3/8″. Luckily, there are small adapters available that you can screw in to make it compatible. I’ve updated the article with three photos of the specific mounting plate—on the last one, you can clearly see the internal threading.

I hope this helps! If you’re considering purchasing the Pistock C, make sure your version has the same feature. Novoflex has produced several variations, and I’m not certain if they all include this design.

Thanks for your comment, and I hope to see you back here soon!

Best regards,
Marc

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Question regarding the round, knurled screw under the front of the Pistock-C: is there, by any chance, a 1/4-20 screw hole in this knurled screw? I ask because if there is a 1/4-20 threaded hole I could attach a monopod as additional support when using the 100-400 Olympus lens with the 2X teleconverter. With up to 1600mm of effective 35mm full frame equivalent focal length it would be nice to be able to attach a monopod under the Pistock-C for additional support.

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A bit more civilized over there. OK, a hell of a lot more…

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I understand your concerns, Ted. Here in Belgium, we generally don’t have those kind of issues, so I didn’t think about it actually.

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My only thought on this is could the setup be confused with a person having, and pointing, a rifle. That would not be good around here in some circumstances.

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Hey James,
It’s best to avoid photographing in such locations in the first place. A while ago, I almost lost my camera while taking pictures of old horse stables from the early 1900s, it turned out I was on military grounds by accident. Fortunately, I got away with just a warning.
Take care, and have a great weekend!
Marc

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Hey Ted, the pleasure is all mine. Ultimately, I do this for myself since I use it as well. It would be a missed opportunity not to share my experiences and insights, as it might help someone. All the best ! Marc.

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