Leica Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8

[barnack]

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Does anyone know when production stopped on the Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8? Does anyone have any expereince using this lens on their M8. I would enjoy hearing your comments. Thanks

[Brian Bower]

A good lens, the second version from Sn 2656667 is definitely better than the first. It works well on the M8 (I had mine 6 bit coded which is useful). The Tele-Elmar is better optically and the Apo-Telyt superb but neither is easy to use on the M8 - although it is possible.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Brian Bower

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[Brian Bower]

Forgot to add, last date I believe was 1998.

[Shootist]

A much overlooked lens. Although the adjustment of the bug eyes is critical to get good results. I have both the first and second versions and see no real difference between them.

[Xmas]

Hi

 

Even the type I needs a monopod to do it justice, the type I can sometimes flare with light sources just outside frame, take lots of shots until you are familiar with effect, unless you have a DM and can chimp.

 

Noel

[jacarape]

I can't give you any advice on the specific use on an M8, but have you considered the crop factor?

 

The lens itself is well off anyone's radar, so it's incredibly inexpensive. It's criticized for being bug eyed and heavy, but hey, a 135/2.8 at 300 bucks? Who cares?

 

When I was looking for one I asked about teh lens and was given some great advice on the 90mm view. It's like looking at an old tele, almost. It works, so you can't really fault the lens for that.

 

Here is a view of the lens on an MP and a shot taken with it on K64. On a tripod at 2.8 at less then 10 feet. The OOF area is sweet.

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[H. James Wolf]

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I have one of these and use it consistently on an M8 as well as film Ms. On an M8, it gives the equivalent of about 180 mm and is perfectly usable. This is one of the less well loved Mandler lenses because it doesn't suit many people's image of a Leica lens. Sure, it's heavy, but it works well and it's the only game in town for a 135 of this speed on an M.

[MPWhite]

I use it with my M9 on a regular basis. Works perfectly. With a small dremel tool I added the 6bit code. Cannot understand why so many do not like to use a 135 with the M9.

[luigi bertolotti]

I agree it is globally an undervalued lens... but imho the reason can be trivial : I have both it and the TE 135 : use much more the TE for it is easier to carry... ...those useful goggles (and the larger diameter) make lot of difference both in "light-in pockets" and "bag" situations.

In the use , I find it even more comfortable than the TE... better balancing and better focus operation (the Elmar 135 "non TE" is someway even better, with its focus ring next to front)

Edited May 9, 2014 by luigi bertolotti

[swamiji]

I have used the 135 Elmarit on both film and digital M's. These days I use it mostly on the bellows. Great macro combo.

[jaapv]

Actually, I do not like the goggles at all as they create a tunnel vision through the viewfinder by masking everything outside the 90 mm framelines. I had quite an early version, I do not know whether later ones do this as well.

[swamiji]

Actually, I do not like the goggles at all as they create a tunnel vision through the viewfinder by masking everything outside the 90 mm framelines. I had quite an early version, I do not know whether later ones do this as well.

 

 

Your right, but there are so many ways to use this lens without the goggles. Visoflex, bellows, EVF. I keep it around for versatility.

[luigi bertolotti]

Actually, I do not like the goggles at all as they create a tunnel vision through the viewfinder by masking everything outside the 90 mm framelines. I had quite an early version, I do not know whether later ones do this as well.

 

It's someway "VF dependent".... not so annoying on M3, unpleasant in 28mm-wide VFs like M's.

[Rick in CO]

I used mine on the M8 and now on my M9. On the M8 it became an effective 180mm lens which was really nice - I miss it! I'm tempted to get another M8 (with prices dropping) to have that combo again. Talk about tunnel vision, try the 135 Elmarit on an M9 with the 1.4X eyepiece! Great for critical focus though.

[Ronazle]

The lens is large and capable of excellent, but below tele-Elmar qualitry photos. I have two: the conventional "eyes" model and a short mount version. The short mount is quite useful on a viso esp w/bellows. The "eyes" model is fine to use but a more or less nightmare to carry around. It just does not (to me) fit in neatly in a typical Leica scenario.

 

About the only time I use it (i.e., the "eyes" version) is on my own property when I start out with it mounted on an M8 or M9 for wildlife/nature photography. If I'm using a tripod, I'll probably avoid the Elmarit and mount a longer lens on a Viso. Regards, Ron

[jdsheepdog]

Here, for what it is worth is a very ordinary hand held shot with the 138 T Elmarit, goggles and all, followed by a very heavy crop, about as much as the M 240 will go to in camera.

 

These are small files, the larger files are significantly sharper, and also have less grain.

 

Not bad for an old lens!

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