Experiences with the 135mm Tele-Elmar on M8

[simonpg]

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I wondered if many M8 users are using their 135mm Leica M lenses?.

 

Of course there are no framelines for it, but it's not too hard to get it right (enough).

 

I added the Tele-Elmar version 135mm lens to my M7 kit a few years ago (the owner had never used it!!!) - same lens as the Tele-Emar-M version in the current barrel design before the Telyt version was released. And it is a stellar performer on the M7 (even if the old barrel design makes it look rather odd).

 

So, I've been playing with it on the M8 and am really enjoying it. So, it made me wonder if others here are using 135mm lenses on their M8 cameras?

 

Cheers.

[brucek]

I use mine but need a 1.2X magnifier and I sometimes get frustrated by the lack of frame lines. But I do indeed use it from time to time.

[jaapv]

Framelines: overrotate and use the 90 mm ones - close enough on the M8, just frame loosely.

[luigi bertolotti]

Yes, use it regularly - excellent lens and a real tele on M8.

[simonpg]

Thanks gentlemen. Yes the Tele-Elmar is a fantastic lens. All the shots with the M8 highlight how good it is just as with film in the M7.

 

After shooting a dozen or so images it is not hard to guess the image "boundaries" despite having no framelines.

 

I haven't had issues focusing it yet, but plan on getting a 1.25x magnifier anyway - I feel the viewfinder magnification being less than 0.72 is not enough for me and the widest lens I'll put on it will be a 28mm (currently my widest is 35mm), so that won't cause a big problem either

[epand56]

Simon, I have the TE 135 as well and use it quite often, it is a lens I really love in spite of being quite demanding to be framed and focused. But when you nail the subject it is an incredibly sharp lens. It is one of those lenses, IMO, that given the low cost has an outstanding performance.

[simonpg]

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Yes, Enrico, because the one I bought was the pre-current barrel design but the exact same optics as the Tele-Elmar in the "modern barrel" design, it cost me very little money - huge "bang for bucks"!

 

I recall Erwin Puts referred to it as being near perfect wide open at f4 and needing no closing down to optimise image quality - one of Leica's very best lens designs ever.

 

I got lucky in that the owner had had it since new and had never used it!! I could not even find a finger print on the barrel and the original tube and boxes etc were as if it had ever been taken off the shop shelf!

 

It does look a little funny with that small 39mm front filter thread and the hood in place!

 

135mm has always been a favourite focal length to me since my first camera (Minolta SRT 101) when I was 16!

[kdemas]

Just today I actually shot with a 135mm on my M8. It was an Angenieux 135//3.5 that I got from my Dad before he passes on. It just got back from a CLA and it works beautifully and has a extra something for me when I use it.

 

I enjoy shooting 135s and 90s on the M8, always interesting and framing becomes second nature after only a short time using either length.

 

Enjoy your Tele-Elmar, nice lens.

 

Kent

[epand56]

I got lucky in that the owner had had it since new and had never used it!!

 

Same here, Simon, mine's coming from a private collection. Clear glass and not even the slightest sign on the barrel.

It is very sharp at any aperture and quite easy to focus in very good light conditions.

Problems arise when shooting time is slow and the risk of blur is high. Unless you have a very firm hand.

Anyway a great and amusing lens.

[DBAUDUI1]

I am using a tele-elmar 135 mm and also a elmar 135 f4 with great success on a M8

The Tele Elmar gives more contrasty pictures than the Elmar, but both are sharp and pleasant to use. I have no problem focusing or framingthem. You can also quickly check the result on the screen. The Tele _Elmar is the best of the two, but teh Elmar is interersting, when you are looking for a bit softer image, whith less colour saturation.