Leica MATE on M9

[René@NL]

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Hello,

I am in a decission process regarding a Leica Tri Elmar 28-35-50 lens. Since I am mainly interested in landscape photography, would this lens do the job ? I am bothering about the f/4: will in cause problems in suboptimal light conditons, or would a tripod compensate enough ?

Many thankd for your opinions !

Regards, René

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[stunsworth]

Rene, you need to think about the light levels you are expecting to take the shots in. It could be argued that you need a tripod regardless of shutter speed to get the best results. Personally I think that mitigates against one of the reasons for owning a Leica in the first place, namely the small size of the camera.

 

Once the shutter speed starts to get below say 1/125 then you may need a tripod for the landscape work. A lot will depend on how steady your hands are.

 

Be aware that the weakest of the focal lengths is 28mm which shows some geometric distortion. This may or may not be important to you.

 

I owned a Tri-Elmar and sold it. Mainly because it took up roughly the same size as a 35 and 50 Summicron, and personally I valued the speed of those lenses over the convenience of having them both in a single lens.

[archi4]

Since I live in Hilversum, if you give me your address I can put a number of DNG files taken with my MATE and M9 on a card and mail it to you.

I sold the lens to by a s'lux 35 asph, but am seriously thinking of getting ia MATE again

maurice

[AlanJW]

The MATE is very good, but as you note is is a bit slow at f/4. I had one. It was one of the first lenses I ever had with an M (film to start), but like others felt limited by the f/4, and sold it in favor of a 35 Summilux and a 50 Summilux, and then later on got a 24 Summilux.

 

But my work is not limited to landscapes and for interiors the f/4 was limiting and I also wanted something wider than 28mm.

 

This is a personal decision I'm afraid and what suits someone else cannot be assumed will suit you.

[Beyder28]

I read these two terms, mate and wate and wold like to know what they mean?

[AlanJW]

I read these two terms, mate and wate and wold like to know what they mean?

 

They are both Tri-Elmars. Mate = medium angle (28/35/50) Medium Angle Tri-Elmar

WATE = wide angle (16/18/21) Wide Angle Tri-Elmar

[Robert_M]

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I bought a tri-elmar ver 2 (it was referred to as the 3E in those days) about 10 years ago and used it for many years on my CL. On the CL, the lens size dominated the package. I now have a M9 and find it a great match to that camera as well. I'm so happy I acquired it when it was affordable! Is it for you? Well, that depends on the use. I use it mainly for a travel lens in daylight and in ever changing, often urban, conditions. It is wonderful for getting the rough framing right without having to change lenses. That is a virtue for travel/tourist conditions. Yes, it is good for landscapes also. I can't see needing the selective focus conditions of a faster lens for landscape.

 

Is f/4 a constraint? Well, not for me. But then I started photography with Kodacrome ASA12 slide film as a child (and a $10 camera with a slow lens). Since I come from a slide film mind frame, getting the framing more accurate at exposure has always been important to me. The MATE helps with that.

 

Downside? Well, believe it or not, the size now feels large on the M9. And that surprises me. I really never complained on the CL. Funny how one's perception changes. If I go out for a casual walk with the camera, I'll slap on the old, trusty 40mm summicron-c lens and the size of the entire package is great for all conditions. If I'm expecting some serious photo opportunities and tourist sights, I'll put on the MATE during the day.

 

Bottom line: Depends on your application. For my use, it is a great all around lens.

 

RM

[sblutter]

I sold my MATE off pretty quickly

 

Too slow and too heavy

 

For landscape I'd start just by looking through the viewfinder at 28mm. If its wide enough get a used prime 28 / 2.0 - or the latest if you can afford it.

 

If you need a little more - its pretty easy to stitch

[brill64]

there are two versions of the 28-35-50 tri-elmar..i've read that the v2 is the better of the two and has depth of field scale markings on the barrel. the v1 has no depth of field scale. it's becoming harder and harder to find this lens and the price has shot up in the last year only. if you have found a copy in good condition, with full packing and certificates at a reasonable price and you can afford it, i wouldn't hesitate for too long. the value will hold and continue to creep up. there is also a lens hood available separately and you may also want to find this, especially for landscape.

 

most people here on the forum that own one have commented favorably on it's versatility and being an especially useful lens when traveling and for landscape work. as an elmar it's going to be a very sharp little lens stopped down. I'm not a landscapist but i doubt you will be doing much at f2 or f1.4 so f4 is not a bad starting point. for critical street work in low light, you may wish to follow mister blutter's advice an pick a faster cron at f2 or 1.4 but in addition rather than instead. of course this depends on you and what you personally will be using it for. besides, you'd always use a tripod for critical work. some have experienced problems with flare at the 50 focal length because of a faulty front glass element in some copies but i think this was rectified in the version 2 or can be fixed by leica and you can read more about it by doing a search here on the forum. perhaps look for this when testing it.

 

i own a 16-18-21 wate and this is one of my most used lens. i'm so glad i bought it before the price rocketed because i doubt i could afford it now. based on this, i'm still looking for my copy of the v2 mate...

[steve_l]

V2 of this lens is not "better" - the optics are the same. I have the V1 lens, and prefer it - the lens shade is built in and makes the lens smaller when mounted than the V2 with separate shade...and that also makes the lens smaller in the bag...it is great walk-around lens and also a great "bring one more lens just in case" lens. If you need depth of field markings because you will shoot at f4 a lot, then the V2 is better for you...

 

I believe that some early V1 lenses has looser linkages without a clear click stop for the focal length - mine is fine.

[algrove]

I have a V2 that I bought used with lens shade #12450. Does anyone know of another shade that fits the E49 V2 with less cutouts than the shade I own?

 

I have tried the Lens hood #12592 which Leica states on the box fits the Elmarit-M 2.8/21 and 24 ASPH and also the Tri-Elmar-M 4/28-35-50 ASPH. This hood will not fit my MATE S/N 3948xxx. It is too large therefore it must fit the V1 MATE is all I can assume.

 

Any suggestions for a more closed hood?

[Alnitak]

V2 of this lens is not "better" - the optics are the same. I have the V1 lens, and prefer it - the lens shade is built in and makes the lens smaller when mounted than the V2 with separate shade...and that also makes the lens smaller in the bag...it is great walk-around lens and also a great "bring one more lens just in case" lens. If you need depth of field markings because you will shoot at f4 a lot, then the V2 is better for you...

 

I believe that some early V1 lenses has looser linkages without a clear click stop for the focal length - mine is fine.

 

The V1 was prone to some odd veiling flare at some focal lengths as well; there were some adjustments to correct that as well. Otherwise, they are the same optical arrangement.

 

Jeff

[Ecar]

The V1 was prone to some odd veiling flare at some focal lengths as well; there were some adjustments to correct that as well

So is the V2 at 50mm. Less pronounced, but still there in high contrast situations. Great all-rounder and travel lens, though. Would never sell it.

However, for landscape photography, I'd probably get a fixed focal lens (or two) for slightly better IQ and low-light capabilities (with or without tripod).

[michali]

I have a V2 that I bought used with lens shade #12450. Does anyone know of another shade that fits the E49 V2 with less cutouts than the shade I own?

 

I have tried the Lens hood #12592 which Leica states on the box fits the Elmarit-M 2.8/21 and 24 ASPH and also the Tri-Elmar-M 4/28-35-50 ASPH. This hood will not fit my MATE S/N 3948xxx. It is too large therefore it must fit the V1 MATE is all I can assume.

 

Any suggestions for a more closed hood?

 

Try this hood from Heavystar: New Metal Wide Angle 49mm Screw-in Lens Hood + Cap | eBay

 

I've bought a number of their W (wide series) metal hoods which are well made and am very happy with, the lens caps are shitty but I use the Leica caps.

 

I use the Heavystar hoods on the following lenses:

24mm Elmarit ASPH, 28mm Summicron ASPH, 35mm Summilux ASPH, 35 Summarit & 40mm Summicron. I've binned the Leica hoods they're cumbersome and clunky.

 

I have a Vers. 1 Tri-Elmar, it's a great travel lens and as I spend 6 months of the year on the road it's probably my most used lens. I don't use the hood as the front element on the Vers.1 is farily well recessed. The image quality of this lens is pretty close to the primes, (which I own as well), the point being that I've been able to make comparisons between the MATE and the primes.

With the ability to bump up ISO on the M9, the f4 max. aperture is a non issue IMO.

[swamiji]

For me the purpose of the MATE is the fact it's all in one lens, not three. There are many events that taking the time to switch lenses is out. Luckily for me, most of the events for me are out side. Like yesterday was Tomb cleaning day, where we clean the family shrine, and offer our ancestors things for the coming year. I cannot rummage my bag to find a lens, and I certainly cannot switch lenses, as the smoke will cause me to be cleaning my sensor for weeks. So I am pretty much stuck with only one lens... That is when the MATE pays for it's self. So I keep it around for travel and special event photography.

 

I have the 24 Lux, 35 Lux, and the f/1 Nocti, So I have the fast lenses, but there are times when the MATE is a better choice. Especially now the LR has much better noise reduction, so it's slower speed is less of an issue, so I just bump the ISO...

[marknorton]

I have both versions and simply use a Heavystar screw in lens hood with cap. The "official" Leica solutions are either clunky (21/24 Elmarits) or hugely expensive (vented V2 hood) which run the risk of damaging the lens barrel when installing/removing them. Further, there's no lens cap for the V2 hood and even an aftermarket one lets dust in through the hood vents.

 

The MATE has the most complex mount of any Leica lens and it doesn't take much to damage it. I dropped mine 18 inches inside a well padded bag and the rebuild cost was £350. Be especially careful when turning the focal length ring. There are myriad nylon rollers all waiting to pop out of place and spoil your day.

 

For landscape, a pair of 28/50 Summicrons makes more sense. For me, the MATE is now more of a curiosity.

[SJP]

The MATE (I have v2) is an incredible lens, with sharpness and all the other features that can make an image 'pop'.

 

The main concerns for me are:

slight distortion at 28mm

contrast is not as good as with a single focal length prime, needs more PP work

slightly 'springy' focus action, probably due to the complexity of the thing

f/4 but for daytime work it is very, very good

 

The MATE at 50 mm is very hard to beat.

 

It is a lens I will keep, especially for 'happy snapper, daytime' mode. Also good as an 'investment' although such is frowned upon here.

[thighslapper]

I have no problems at all with the image quality.

 

I have a MATE, WATE and 90/4 Macro ...... all f4 and the great advantages of versatility and compactness far outweigh the lack of fast aperture..... with this combo you have 8 lenses

 

As an everyday 'out for a walk' or single holiday lens, it is great.

 

It is not a substitute for a bag full of primes..... but a useful alternative if you want to travel light .....

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[wda]

Hello,

I am in a decission process regarding a Leica Tri Elmar 28-35-50 lens. Since I am mainly interested in landscape photography, would this lens do the job ? I am bothering about the f/4: will in cause problems in suboptimal light conditons, or would a tripod compensate enough ?

Many thankd for your opinions !

Regards, René

René, Welcome to the Forum!

I bought my MATE for use on an M6. More recently it has seen considerable use on M8 and M9 bodies. Quite simply, it is a superb lens, fully usable at f/4 indoors; mostly used at f/5.6-8 hand-held in travel mode.

 

35mm and 50mm are my most used focal lengths when travelling, So I treat mine as a Bi-Elmar to very good effect. (The 28mm setting is usable, particular for smaller size reproductions (up to A3))

 

Versions 1 and 2 are identical optically. V2 has more positive click-stop settings and depth of filed markings.

 

Costs have increased dramatically recently, reflecting the MATE's high value contribution to general M9 photography. While a Leica M camera is essentially a portable camera, don't eschew the use of a tripod for selective work. I often use one for interiors.

 

I can recommend the 28-35-50 Leica Tri-Elmar lens without reservation! It is a little masterpiece of optical and mechanical design and engineering!

[haroldp]

René, Welcome to the Forum!

I bought my MATE for use on an M6. More recently it has seen considerable use on M8 and M9 bodies. Quite simply, it is a superb lens, fully usable at f/4 indoors; mostly used at f/5.6-8 hand-held in travel mode.

 

35mm and 50mm are my most used focal lengths when travelling, So I treat mine as a Bi-Elmar to very good effect. (The 28mm setting is usable, particular for smaller size reproductions (up to A3))

 

Versions 1 and 2 are identical optically. V2 has more positive click-stop settings and depth of filed markings.

 

Costs have increased dramatically recently, reflecting the MATE's high value contribution to general M9 photography. While a Leica M camera is essentially a portable camera, don't eschew the use of a tripod for selective work. I often use one for interiors.

 

I can recommend the 28-35-50 Leica Tri-Elmar lens without reservation! It is a little masterpiece of optical and mechanical design and engineering!

 

I agree with this completely, except my MATE (V1, which I bought mid nineties for use on an M6) is very sharp at 28mm. In a device of such complexity, there may be some sample to sample variation.

 

While 'crons and lux's are slightly better (at f5.6 and 8 I cannot tell them apart) and faster, having the right length in your bag is not as good as having it on the camera.

 

Regards ... H