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Elmar 135/4 on NEX?


IkarusJohn

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Has anyone tried the longer Leica lenses on a NEX 5n or NEX 7?

 

I've been offered a Leica Elmar-M 135/4 (Mandler lens from 1960) for USD 500.00 and I'm tempted. Condition looks good (from what I can tell).

 

I'm unlikely to use it with my M9, as I'm not really into telephoto on that camera. But for kitesurfing and other action situations, a longer lens would be useful on the NEX. The effective field of view would be just under 210 mm, and with focus peaking, I should be able to get reasonably sharp images.

 

Cheers

John

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I have just received my Nex 7 and find it to be a great alternative for my Leica lenses. Focusing is very accurate with both magified view and peaking available. I have used the 135 tele-elmar and focusing and especially framing is fantastic. I have briefly mounted the Nex on the back of my 280mm telyt for a 420mm effective focal length lens...great fun.

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Has anyone tried the longer Leica lenses on a NEX 5n or NEX 7?

 

I've been offered a Leica Elmar-M 135/4 (Mandler lens from 1960) for USD 500.00 and I'm tempted. Condition looks good (from what I can tell).

 

I'm unlikely to use it with my M9, as I'm not really into telephoto on that camera. But for kitesurfing and other action situations, a longer lens would be useful on the NEX. The effective field of view would be just under 210 mm, and with focus peaking, I should be able to get reasonably sharp images.

 

Cheers

John

 

 

Hi John,

 

I have been using Leica V, M, and R lenses on my NEX-5N, all the way from 65mm to 560mm, and with several extenders to an equivalent virtual focal length of 4704 mm with a magnification of 94.08x, Saint Peter Dome Watchtower ...: Leica Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review.

 

The Elmar 135/4 is indeed an exceptional performer, according to Erwin Puts http://www.google.com/url?url=http://en.leica-camera.com/assets/file/download.php%3Ffilename%3Dfile_1750.pdf&rct=j&sa=U&ei=OD86T93UE6Ti2gWY1ZGhCg&ved=0CDEQFjAA&sig2=-W0RQ1b7sKzQwngp_PzQSw&q=Leica+M-Lenses+Their+soul+and+secrets+by+Erwin+Puts&usg=AFQjCNGGV4c7ha2_MR9vD4nc5YpsTC9Vmw and Ken Rockwell LEICA ELMAR 135mm f/4 (1960-1965).

 

The Tele-Elmar 135/4 is one of my all-time favorite Leitz/Leica lenses for landscape photography. According to Puts, stopped down to f/5.6 this lens performs at its top. That's how I typically use it. One really has to look at full resolution images to appreciate the stunning lens performance of the Tele-Elmar 135/4. According to the above references the Elmar 135/4 performs equally well, but weighs less.

 

Here are 2 example shot with my lens

2011.02.10 Bandelier from above - winklers' Photos,

2011.03.29-30 Views from Hill - winklers' Photos.

 

With regards to focusing the NEX-5N I have tried the following: Leitz Visoflex !!!, Sony OLED Electronic Viewfinder, LCD panel. The latter 2 with and without focus peaking, 1x, 4.8x, and 9.5x magnification. I even used with success a magnifying glass to look at the LCD display, http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/220600-santa-fe-ski-area.html. The LCD display is really that great.

 

Depending on the situation, any of the focusing methods can be best. However, for your intended use focus peaking should work well - provided there are sharp edges or large contrast differences for the focus to peak off.

 

Best, K-H.

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Thanks K-H!

 

I'll give it a try. The focus peaking is really very good - I can watch the depth of field move across objects as I focus, and it will pick up kite and paraglider lines. The focus magnifier also works very well. The OLED is a bit tricky in daylight, though.

 

Cheers

John

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I use the R 135 2.8. and have used an early 1960's Summicron 90 on the front as well, but I prefer the 90 Elmart.

 

nex135.jpg

 

The R is ALMOST too big on the form factor, especially if you're using the screen at arms length to focus, but the image quality is pretty stunning. You may be able to find a real stunner R for less than the M mount.

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