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The R 135 f 2.8, Overlooked and Underappreciated


holmes

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I have been looking for an R 135 f 2.8. I searched dealers I know are reputable and when they say an item is such and such they are generally under their own system. Anyway I finally found a late 55 size circular filter. So I ordered it and a 55 UV filter. It's Canadian but then so is my M 75 f 1.4. I never have understood how some people can have an attack if it is Canadian. But I was looking because the 135 fulfills a wide spot with in the R system. My zooms covered that area, particularly my 80-200 f 4. Now when I want to travel light, I can take R 35-70 f 4, my R 90 f 2, and now my R 135 f 2.8. Three lenses two with speed and a coverage from 35mm to 135mm. If I really wanted extra reach my R 180 f 4, is small and light weight with excellent qualities.

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I agree - a wonderful lens - one I had early last year, a single cam which I used with my Olympus digital was my first ever Leica lens - and a really badly neglected focal length. I now use a 3-cam with an R8, a lovely combination. Also somewhat of a bargain But no lightweight! A very useful FL after the 90.

Edited by photoeclipse
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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

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Now when I want to travel light, I can take R 35-70 f 4, my R 90 f 2, and now my R 135 f 2.8. Three lenses two with speed and a coverage from 35mm to 135mm.

 

I know what you mean. Actually I've just snatched and paid for a 90 F/2 online; 35-70 F/4 and R8 should be coming on Sept. 18th and the only variant is that I think to get the 50 F/2 before the 135.

Talk about when "less is better" :)

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Used both the first and second R editions. The second was outwardly the same size, redesigned optically and a bit better and started with number 2,300.000, the 135 is an excellent lens and as stated, definitely underused.

 

Great for portraits fairly close in, and landscape work as well. I'd like to try the M 135 apo.

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  • 2 years later...

Well, if you mean the Leica 135 f/2.8, (which is what this thread is about) - the lens hood is built-in in all versions (M + R), so there is no "separate" part with a number.

 

Same for the 135 f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M.

 

The only Leica 135s that take separate hoods are the Hektor, Elmar, and Tele-Elmar lenses (f/4.5 or f/4) - all of which should take the 12575/IUFOO hood.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/12575

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Does the clip on cap work on the series 7 filter since it doesn't have any thread? Sounds like I'm might be better off finding a 14089.

 

thanks all!!

 

I've got the first version (Leitz Wetzlar, later converted to 3 cam) which takes the series VII filter. It has a Leitz push-on lens cap. I tried my E55 clip-on cap from my 50 Summicron. With the Series VII filter ring in place it won't clip on at all. With the filter ring removed, it won't clip on properly at all. Don't know if this helps?

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  • 1 year later...
slightly off topic. Anyone that owns this lens can tell me what's the part number of the lens hood? I been searching all over the place and can't seem to find the part number or a replacement.

 

The cap for mine has14809M written on the back

I like the lens very much and use it a lot.

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I used my Leica 135mm f/2.8 together with the Leica R4 for wedding photography. It was especially good for photographs of wedding guests sitting at the dining table. I could thereby Work at distances of 10 meters from the guests and Work un-noticed. The 135mm was very good from f/4 and peaked around F/5.6 - all in all a good lens.

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Should take either the 55mm clip-on cap 14289 - Amazon.com: Leica 55mm Clip on Lens Cap E55 14289: Camera & Photo

 

or also an older rubbery-plastic slip-on cap. For which I don't have a number, but will check the one we have in the store next week......

 

 

The plastic cap on mine is marked 14089 and is about 65mm across. The lens is Made in Germany. I find it very useful.

Edited by Torquinian
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