Leica Telephoto 135mm f/3.4 APO Telyt-M Lens

[Telyt2003]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The often recommended need to stop down an Apo-Telyt or a Tele-Elmar on an digital M 'at least to 4-5.6 to get accurate focusing' is probably a myth.

 

Sorry, the above cited aperture is not correct. I wanted to say the following:

 

The often recommended need to stop down an Apo-Telyt or a Tele-Elmar on an digital M 'at least to 5.6-8 [!] to get accurate focusing' is probably a myth.

[Double Negative]

I heard from one dealer last week that there's something like a 2-year wait on a 2/90 right now...

[Guest mc_k]

I heard from one dealer last week that there's something like a 2-year wait on a 2/90 right now...

 

yes I was wondering if wondering if some were buying 135s in lieu of the 90/2.

[Julian Thompson]

I absolutely love my 135/3.4 - as Chris says it really works well with a 35 or 50 as a 'cover most things' pairing.

 

The only thing I do have to say is that I find the 135 easier to use on the M7 than the M9 - this is for 2 reasons - firstly because my M7 has the 0.85 finder which is (IMHO) better than the M9 finder+magnifier and secondly just because film is definitely more forgiving of focus error than digital, especially when you're really at those wider apertures.

 

But other than that the 135 rocks - especially with 18 megapixels. Go for it!

[mustafasoleiman]

I have a 135/3.4 which I love and use with an m8, but I find a bit clunky to use in this combination.

Now my question is: does anybody use or has used another non leica body with it?

Like an 4/3rds camera or else...

I'm looking for a third body to use it with.

 

Or should I simply get a Nikon d90 with a long lens (which one?) on it to take over the long end?

 

Any experience would be welcome, thanks.

[BRJR]

yes I was wondering if wondering if some were buying 135s in lieu of the 90/2.

I am so glad that I now have both of these lenses (Leica 135mm f/3.4 & the Leica 90mm f/2.0 Cron), as neither of these lenses are currently in-stock at major retailers in the USA (including Adorama & B&H Photo). IMHO, the Leica 135mm f/3.4 lens, is going to remain in high demand, as more M9 owners learn of this lens --- I am having absolutely none of the problems I had heard about this lens; and, it focuses well at open apertures and throughout it's aperture range, and in my case without any special viewfinder or a magnifier --- and, as has already been said in Forum Posts about this lens, yes it's sharp and has good colors/contrast throughout its aperture range, and I have even less need to carry my DSLR gear now (and, I am even questioning why I still need some of it ---- as my M9 and Leica lenses can do much of what I need, and in a far lighter-weight and easier to carry package.

[menos I M6]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have a 135/3.4 which I love and use with an m8, but I find a bit clunky to use in this combination.

Now my question is: does anybody use or has used another non leica body with it?

Like an 4/3rds camera or else...

I'm looking for a third body to use it with.

 

Or should I simply get a Nikon d90 with a long lens (which one?) on it to take over the long end?

 

Any experience would be welcome, thanks.

 

A SLR for telephoto is hard to beat - as much, as I love my Telyt on the M8.2.

I use a Nikon DSLR with 70-200 and a 300 f2.8 lens + tele converters, if needed for anything longer.

 

Nikon has some things coming out this year, one being rumored, to be a follow up to the D90 with die casting body, higher pixel count and improved AF system.

 

Actually, I am having an eye on the new D3100, if it is any good for adding to my D3 for a light and compact high MP crop body for tele shooting.

For the price of an D3100 body, you can't do much wrong.

Generally the Nikon consumer tele zooms are no slouches either (besides being slow at the long end).

 

So for less than half the price of a APO Telyt, you could get a Nikon starter kit up to 200mm ;-)

[chris_tribble]

 

So for less than half the price of a APO Telyt, you could get a Nikon starter kit up to 200mm ;-)

 

True - but if I'm travelling / trekking I don't want to carry two systems (and for the latter I wouldn't want to carry a DSLR system anyway!). I use Canon 5D2 + long lenses for concert / event work where I can't get close and I have no plans to get rid of these (though I don't use them daily). But I've found nothing that beats an M9 + 28 / 135 as a two lens travel kit. The set here was made last week with just these two lenses:

The English Seaside - August 2010

[Chistoso]

Chris

I love the timelessness of those photos. You can get lost in them. And the type of lens seems not to be the main point.

[chris_tribble]

Chistoso - many thanks for the kind comment - though there is the issue that the 135 Apo-Telyt gives you a field of view + contrast and resolution that you I don't think you can get (on a range-finder) with any other lens. The debate around the relative advantages of 21/24/28/35 come down to preference I think - but the 135 is in a field of its own in the RF world...

[neli]

i picked up my 135/3.4 second hand for a good price and i have to say it draws very beautifully. i haven't had any problems focussing it. next to my 50 lux asph it's my most used lens. my travel kits are 50/135 or 35/75 depending on my mood. rarely 35/135. i feel naked without a 50 or 75 in the bag.

[lars_bergquist]

Chistoso - many thanks for the kind comment - though there is the issue that the 135 Apo-Telyt gives you a field of view + contrast and resolution that you I don't think you can get (on a range-finder) with any other lens. The debate around the relative advantages of 21/24/28/35 come down to preference I think - but the 135 is in a field of its own in the RF world...

Beautiful, moody pictures, Chris. Very well and very deliberately composed and exposed. And completely static. Typical SLR images, in fact.

 

To me, the M is very much an action camera -- though I too occasionally take very well and very deliberately composed and exposed, and completely static, pictures. So my minimum 'moving around in the Great Outdoors kit' would be 50 + 135mm, a combination that worked well up in Arctic Lapland (think of it as Scotland with reindeer). In urban environments I do much prefer 35 + 90mm, though I like to keep a real wide angle lens in the kit somewhere.

 

I am of course an ex-SLR, ex-TLR, ex-press camera, ex-roll film folder photographer -- as well as an ex-all-sorts-of-RF-camera photographer. Horses for courses and scratches for itches, I say.

 

The old man from the Age of the Olympus OM-1

[chris_tribble]

Lars - an interesting comment re static images. You're absolutely right - and of course it's a function of the focal length you're working with. Up close and personal, the M9 + 28 cron asph works beautifully for me. Put distance between yourself and the object you're framing and there's a stillness which is best captured with the longer lens like the 135.

[jaapv]

I wish I could find a used one

[scott kirkpatrick]

I wish I could find a used one

 

I did. but the cost of sending it in to Solms to get it focusing accurately used up a big portion of the savings. I'm happy now.

 

scott

[haat01]

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

SARAH DAWN FINER