135mm f/2.8 Elmarit On M8

[andit]

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Hi everyone,

 

This has probably been discussed elsewhere here on the forum. I have the possibility to get a 135mm f/2.8 lens with "gogles" at a reasonable price. Does anyone here use this combination (given that this is a FOV of 180mm), how are the results and are there any difficulties (aside from the fact that 135mm framelines are not present in the M8)?. I was thinking of using the rangefinder field in the center of the viewfinder as a framing guide. Any comments and suggestions would be welcomed.

 

Andreas

[jaapv]

The lens brings up the 90 mm framelines, which are corrected to the 135 FOV by the goggles. I have the lens, it is not bad, a bit low on contrasts and obviously not as razor-sharp as the apo 3.4, but still, pretty good.

[Shootist]

I have this lens also and it does work on the M8 but with mine it either back or front focuses a little, can't remember which so every time I use it I take some tet shots first and then adjust the focus to compensate. Because if this F/B focus it is hard to get a clean crisp shot with it so I tend not to use it as much as I like to.

[dspeltz]

I use the 135 withiout goggles. The frame is about the same size as the focus patch. No goggles needed.

[lars_bergquist]

There are in fact two different versions of the 135 Elmarit. These correspond optically to the two versions of the R-system Elmarits. The second optical version is considerably better wide open, while both are about equal at mid-apertures. You want the second computation of course.

 

The first mount version, with the scalloped focusing ring and provision for series filters, is always the first computation. (The second type mount has even knurling and uses 55 mm filters.) It is not certain however that the change-over in mounts was exactly contemporaneous with the optical change. Some new-style mounts may have the old optics. There is uncertainty about the serial no. at which the change was made. My specimen, No. 2789xxx (that would make 1976) is no slouch optically, in any case, though it must be one of the first with the new mount.

 

Minor differences in general contrast are not a major issue in digital photography. There is something called PhotoShop ...

 

The old man from the Age of Prime Lenses

[terrycioni]

I have shot extensively with the 135 Elmarit and goggles.. works just fine if not a bit heavy. Just so that I don't get shot at, yes it is a 180mm lens and that needs to be considered even with the goggles.

 

Here are a few on my flickr site;

 

Shooting Long - Leica M8 - a photoset on Flickr

 

If you have one - have fun with it. If not they can be found readily and for the most part relatively inexpensive.

 

Cheers. Terry.

[Giulio Zanni]

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I am having a lot of fun with it!

 

Giulio

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[jaapv]

There are in fact two different versions of the 135 Elmarit. These correspond optically to the two versions of the R-system Elmarits. The second optical version is considerably better wide open, while both are about equal at mid-apertures. You want the second computation of course.

Although this is basically true, there is a point to consider for use on the M8. The second version improved in the field and the corners at a slight cost in quality in the center. The M8 , by cropping, evens the quality difference between the versions to practically nil.

There seems to be btw, a small run of pre-first version ones made in Wetzlar. All others, call it version 1a and 2 are built in Canada.

[mike prevette]

I've got a late 135mm 2.8 w/eyes. It works great. It's a huge lens, and so I'ts a little weird to get used to it on the M* but very usable. I also use a 1.25magnifier to enhance the the focusing.

 

_mike

[bradreiman]

i have the first version 2.8 and think its great on the m8. goggles+1.25 mag make it simple to focus. This shot is at 2.8 with low sharpening (in camera only) jpeg. Just a fencepost but it shows the sharpness, contrast, color and bokeh. some may find any of these traits lacking but i like the signature....b

 

 

 

PS-the two thin vertical lines don't exist in the original?!?!

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