Vintage Digital Posted July 29, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 29, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Ladies and Gents, This is my first post as a newly-minted owner of the Leica T. I'm hoping you can help me sort out a future lens purchase. I picked up the T, along with the 23mm F2.0 Summicron and the M adapter, mostly for travel. I also own a Ricoh GR with the 21mm adapter. With the GR and the T my wide-angle (35mm, 28mm, and 21mm) shooting needs are covered for now, but I'm planning to take a close look at the Leica 11-23mm F3.5-4.5 once released. I also have a Leica M3 with the 50 F2.0 Jahre Anniversary Summicron. I'm shooting less film nowadays - roughly 80/20% digital to film - so the 50mm is used primarily on the T with the adapter, which makes it a perfect portrait lens with an effective focal length of 75mm. This travel set-up gives me everything I need except for a long, fast telephoto (something around the 200mm mark). So I'm looking at two lenses: 1) the Leica 135 F3.4 APO Telyt and 2) the Zeiss 135mm F2 APO Sonnar (ZF.2) with a Novaflex adapter. I like that the Telyt is reasonably fast, can be easily affixed via the M adapter, and would make for a relatively compact package. I don't like that the Telyt costs nearly $4000K. I like that the Sonnar is very fast, has a unique signature, and costs less than $2500K with the adapter. I don't like having to stack adapters and the size/weight is a real concern, not having held this lens in person. I'd very much appreciate any and all feedback. Does anyone have experience with either of these lenses on the T or another mirrorless camera to share? Any general thoughts on the two options? Any other recommendations? Regards, Vintage Digital Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 Hi Vintage Digital, Take a look here Leica T - Let's Talk Telephoto. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
thighslapper Posted July 29, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 29, 2014 (edited) Get a 2nd hand 135/3.4 ...... it's been around for years and as most people use it infrequently so you could pick up a good used one quite economically .... or one of it's 135/4 predecessors which are all surprisingly good Like most lenses ....the more inconvenient to use and the more trouble to lug about .... the more it gets left at home ..... The other alternative if you can overcome the issues about size/weight is an R series ....... and why not get a zoom such as the 80-200 f4 ? I am sure Novoflex will eventually make a T-R direct adapter so the pain of stacked adapters would probably be temporary .... I think that long.... fast .... high quality ..... cheap ..... and small are an impossible combination due to the laws of optics,physics and manufacturing..... so you are going to have to compromise .... Edited July 29, 2014 by thighslapper 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted July 30, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 30, 2014 I don't have T but you can probably use my experience with NEX6 (crop sensor) for long lens. I have 135 Tele-Elmar f4 (prev version of APO telyt 3.4 that you are considering) and 80-200 f4 R both (as suggested above). I started using the 80-200 since it gives me more flexibility but over time I have realized that 135 is better option due to compactness and less weight. I am not a serious shooter therefore I can crop 135 to get longer equivalent if needed. Another thing to consider is that do you really need that long a lens? My 90mm gets used more than 135 and for travel I have started carrying only 90 as longest and my 90mm tele-elmarit 2.8 is very light and compact. It all depends on one's shooting need. The prev setup doesn't allow me any wild life shooting but if I need to shoot wild life then I need longer than 200 even with crop sensor. I use 400mm for birds etc. Therefore my 80-200, however flexible, it is being neglected now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted July 30, 2014 Share #4 Posted July 30, 2014 yes ........ 90 gives you 135 on the T which for most thing is more than enough..... and the 90/2.8 gives great results .... as does the collapsible 90/4 which is an even more compact solution ..... and can double as a good macro lens with an OUFRO or similar spacer ....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted July 30, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 30, 2014 The AA Summicron 90 is relatively compact (compared to the alternatives), and is a reasonable package with the T. For real telephoto (wildlife, sports and the like), I'm waiting for the NIK/LEM converter from Novoflex. I will then try my 80-400 Nikkor zoom. That will give me a range of roughly 120-600 mm. Even with vibration reduction in the lens, we're well into tripod territory. I'm coming to the view that adapters are a better option than duplicating focal lengths in different systems. My D800E is a little stranded with only a zoom and 80 mm macro, but then that is why I bought it. Cheers John Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 30, 2014 Share #6 Posted July 30, 2014 The AA Summicron 90 is relatively compact (compared to the alternatives), and is a reasonable package with the T. For real telephoto (wildlife, sports and the like), I'm waiting for the NIK/LEM converter from Novoflex. I will then try my 80-400 Nikkor zoom. That will give me a range of roughly 120-600 mm. Even with vibration reduction in the lens, we're well into tripod territory. I'm coming to the view that adapters are a better option than duplicating focal lengths in different systems. My D800E is a little stranded with only a zoom and 80 mm macro, but then that is why I bought it. Cheers John VR works so well on the 80-400 II lens and D800E that I can easily handhold the system for birding shots, like taking pictures of hummingbirds. Here is my question, how do you get VR to work for that lens when adapted to the T? I don't think one can. So indeed for 400 mm on the T one better uses a tripod. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted July 31, 2014 Share #7 Posted July 31, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) VR works so well on the 80-400 II lens and D800E that I can easily handhold the system for birding shots, like taking pictures of hummingbirds. Here is my question, how do you get VR to work for that lens when adapted to the T? I don't think one can. So indeed for 400 mm on the T one better uses a tripod. I assumed that the VR function was lens specific and unaffected by the camera (based purely on the switch being on the lens barrel rather than an in camera setting). There's clearly more to this than I thought. I don't think VR will be critical, as hand holding an effective focal length of 600mm with the Leica T is hard to imagine without a tripod! Cheers John Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Digital Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks so much for the quick replies! Today I met up with a friend who has the 135mm Sonnar and it’s far too big for my travel needs. I’m looking to throw the T, the GR, a couple of lenses, and a few odds and ends in a messenger bag and go. I think the Sonnar would feel like lugging around a brick after awhile. That probably rules out the 80-200 F4 R and most other long SLR lenses. I’m a little hesitant to go the secondhand route on a 135mm APO Telyt or similar. I was recently burned on a used M lens that ended up having haze and fungus. The 90mm F2.8 Elmarit looks like a sharp, affordable option. Too bad it’s discontinued. Maybe I could keep an eye on reputable sites like KEH/Tamarkin. The 90mm F4 Macro-Elmar looks really sharp, albeit more expensive. I tend to gravitate toward faster lenses that give me flexibility, though. Perhaps it might make sense to wait and checkout the upcoming Leica 55-135 T, which is of a similar speed. Has anyone use the Macro-Elmar for low-light shooting? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted July 31, 2014 Share #9 Posted July 31, 2014 I assumed that the VR function was lens specific and unaffected by the camera (based purely on the switch being on the lens barrel rather than an in camera setting). There's clearly more to this than I thought. I don't think VR will be critical, as hand holding an effective focal length of 600mm with the Leica T is hard to imagine without a tripod! Cheers John No, the VR won't work away from a Nikon body. For a start you would need a power source to power the motor.... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted July 31, 2014 Share #10 Posted July 31, 2014 Has anyone use the Macro-Elmar for low-light shooting? Yes - you need to set the longest exposure correctly in the Auto ISO settings, but it works quite well. With the macro adapter M this lens gives you a lot of flexibility (and the adapter would be good with your 50 as well). The 90 macro elmar is a really sharp lens - and it's tiny, so it fulfuls all your requirements . . . except for economy. The 135 APO telyt isn't too big, but somehow mine also stays at home. On the other hand it does produce excellent results on the T. euph - not much help I'm afraid! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 31, 2014 Share #11 Posted July 31, 2014 Don't rule out the current 90 Summarit, one of four very fine Summarits. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timde Posted July 31, 2014 Share #12 Posted July 31, 2014 I have similar requirements and am looking at the new 90 f4 Macro, light weight and small. Currently I have the 90mm f2.8, its nice but only useful some of the time and thus tends to get left at home. I think the 90 with Macro adapter will be more versatile, and the adapter can be left at home or in the hotel room. Between f2.8 and f4 is one stop of light, for me its an OK tradeoff, all things considered. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted July 31, 2014 Share #13 Posted July 31, 2014 You might also consider a teleconvertor in preference to a long lens if size is a concern. Komura produced a 2x for M lenses and they occasionally pop up for sale on eBay and other sites. You'd also need to take into account the affect on image quality and maximum aperture of course. The APO extender for R lenses is exceptionally good although I expect that might be a bridge too far for you with T-M adaptor + M-R adaptor + APO 2x + R lens. Pete. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 31, 2014 Share #14 Posted July 31, 2014 You might also consider a teleconvertor in preference to a long lens if size is a concern. Komura produced a 2x for M lenses and they occasionally pop up for sale on eBay and other sites. You'd also need to take into account the affect on image quality and maximum aperture of course. The APO extender for R lenses is exceptionally good although I expect that might be a bridge too far for you with T-M adaptor + M-R adaptor + APO 2x + R lens. Pete. Wonderful! You could also add a few more extenders! Your avatar seems to be in sink with your humor! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted August 1, 2014 Share #15 Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) .... T-M adaptor + M-R adaptor + APO 2x + R lens. Pete. This one is fun... blast from the past. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-r-leica-flex/253892-stacking-2x-apo-extenders-2.html#post2172544 Now I just need to get 14127 + 16464 Edited August 1, 2014 by jmahto 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted August 15, 2014 Share #16 Posted August 15, 2014 Bought (14127, 16464 ) to be used with 135 head (already have APO 2x) and 16471 extension tube for macro. Thanks k-hawinkler for the idea.... Now looking out of the window for the delivery guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 15, 2014 Share #17 Posted August 15, 2014 Bought (14127, 16464 ) to be used with 135 head (already have APO 2x) and 16471 extension tube for macro. Thanks k-hawinkler for the idea.... Now looking out of the window for the delivery guy I take it that you already have a T to R adaptor? Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted August 15, 2014 Share #18 Posted August 15, 2014 (edited) I take it that you already have a T to R adaptor? Pete. Right now I am doing all this experiment with NEX6. On the fence on T. My post #3 above gives more background of my experience with long lenses. Edited August 15, 2014 by jmahto 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted August 16, 2014 Share #19 Posted August 16, 2014 I take it that you already have a T to R adaptor? Pete. I've got three different ones 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
suey11 Posted August 16, 2014 Share #20 Posted August 16, 2014 I've got three different ones Sorry if I've missed something or this is all tongue in cheek. Is there a T to R adapter? TIA Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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