yst Posted July 20, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 20, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Greetings! Wondering if there are enough of the "135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M" users on this forum to provide some feedback and feel of this lens? Particularly used with the current only available 0.68x low magnification of the M9 finder. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 20, 2012 Posted July 20, 2012 Hi yst, Take a look here 135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M user feedback & recommendation?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bocaburger Posted July 20, 2012 Share #2 Posted July 20, 2012 I've owned the lens and the camera, but not at the same time. The APO-Telyt was one of the lenses (along with 21, 35, and 90 ASPH) I bought under the influence of Internet Koolaid, but then sold when the effects wore off Mind you it was a spectacular lens, and maybe on paper superior in some parameter to the Tele-Elmar, but I prefer the latter for a few reasons. That said, the biggest variable affecting performance of any 135mm lens on an M9 is how precisely it is adjusted to focus tolerances. The next biggest variable is the ability of the user to focus the rangefinder sharply. At the distance one would stand to get a head-and-shoulders shot in the 135 frame, seeing images of the subject's eye coincide in the rangefinder patch is not that easy for everyone. And the magnifiers make the image darker and less contrasty as well, so I never found them as huge a boon as I hoped. Once I adjusted my Tele-Elmar to focus perfectly on the M9, it was once again the amazing lens it had been on film. So I can only extrapolate to say that if properly adjusted, an APO-Telyt would be even a tiny bit better in some way or other. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted July 20, 2012 Share #3 Posted July 20, 2012 Nice lens, great images, no focussing issues, even wide open.... but a magnifier helps. Although not heavy it does take up a bit of space to carry so I hardly ever take it with me these days. I tend to take the 90/4 macro .... which gives super results and you have the bonus of some close up functionality. Small and handy wins over big and better every time with me these days.... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 20, 2012 Share #4 Posted July 20, 2012 Suoerb lens, works well on the M9 and even M8, fits exactly into the Billingham Leica-bag sidebag. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 21, 2012 Share #5 Posted July 21, 2012 I have both. I agree with Jaap. It is one of the very best, and weighs in at about 100 grams less than the dear old Tele-Elmar. I have had less trouble focusing it than the Elmarit-M 2.8/90mm, even though that lens has been adjusted to my M9 by Will van Manen. The attached photo was taken at 5.6, but the hit percentage is very good at 3.4 too. The old man from the 135mm Age 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! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/184038-135mm-f34-apo-telyt-m-user-feedback-recommendation/?do=findComment&comment=2068045'>More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted July 21, 2012 Share #6 Posted July 21, 2012 (edited) Great lens which I use a lot. Perfect combination with a 35mm summicron asph for trekking. Focusing is fine - even without a monopod. re viewfinder, the correct diopter is better for me than a magnifier (sold mine). A lot of the images in this set were with this combination. http://www.ctribble.co.uk/_gallery/The_English_Seaside_Suffolk/index.html Edited July 21, 2012 by chris_tribble 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest snowboarder Posted July 22, 2012 Share #7 Posted July 22, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have both 135 Telyt and 90 APO and they are very similar IMO. Like them both, but clearly use my 135 more. Also for some reason the DOF of the 135 wide open is much shallower than I thought it should be 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted July 22, 2012 Share #8 Posted July 22, 2012 I have both 135 Telyt and 90 APO and they are very similar IMO.Like them both, but clearly use my 135 more. Also for some reason the DOF of the 135 wide open is much shallower than I thought it should be Yes - worth commenting that I use my 135 AT more than the 90 Apo. I seem to not need the lengths above 50 until I want something really long. NB - I'll still keep the 90 as when I do use it, it's invaluable... I suppose you just never sell a Leica lens unless you're really pushed financially. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell Posted July 22, 2012 Share #9 Posted July 22, 2012 I seem to not need the lengths above 50 until I want something really long.That's the rub. I like my 90mm Macro Elmar but when I pull it out usually I would have been happier with an even longer focal length. And 90mm isn't enough different from 50mm. So I've bought a 135mm Tele-Elmar to try it out. The downside will be the extra weight. Let's see if I revert back to the MEM after awhile... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted July 22, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 22, 2012 According to Leica, the 90 A Cron is 500 gms and the 135 AT is 450gms - so that solves the weight problem with the lenses I own ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm23221 Posted July 23, 2012 Share #11 Posted July 23, 2012 The optics is excellent. If you want your focus to be accurate you must use a magnifier. Except for its size, I'm not sure why many Leicaholics don't use this lens very much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 23, 2012 Share #12 Posted July 23, 2012 It is fine if you feel you need a magnifier, that is why Leica sells them, but many users don't. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell Posted July 23, 2012 Share #13 Posted July 23, 2012 According to Leica, the 90 A Cron is 500 gms and the 135 AT is 450gms - so that solves the weight problem with the lenses I own ... Which is one major reason why the 90mm MEM is so attractive. It's around 223g.So really the trade off (for me) is between more reach or less weight. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 23, 2012 Share #14 Posted July 23, 2012 If weight is the issue, consider the 135 f/4 Elmar (not Tele-Elmar). Physically longer (it's a long-focus lens, not a true telephoto) but noticeably lighter than the T-E or APO-Telyt, and surprisingly excellent performance (much better than the Hektor, and almost as good as T-E). I picked one up while I was searching for a T-E, turned out the Elmar was spot-on adjusted with my M9 but it took me two samples and finally milling the lens head to get a T-E to that point. I decided to keep the Elmar also, as it had cost me all of $225. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 23, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 23, 2012 It is fine if you feel you need a magnifier, that is why Leica sells them, but many users don't. I don't. I find that a magnifier does actually lower my otherwise excellent hit probability with this lens, by lowering the finder contrast. The old man from the Hektorian Age 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yst Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted July 23, 2012 If judging from the constantly "not in stock" status, this (135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M) lens/focal length seems still to be in demand...? and I find any lens 50mm and up are excellent to be on my 0.85x HM M6 TTL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell Posted July 23, 2012 Share #17 Posted July 23, 2012 I find that a magnifier does actually lower my otherwise excellent hit probability with this lens, by lowering the finder contrast.I have the x1.4 magnifier. The verdict is still out. However, I wouldn't say it lowers finder contrast. I just don't see the problems other people have mentioned: contrast, dim, etc... For me the trick is that it's hard to see the shutter speed LED and that you have to view it straight on. Anything off axis and it's problematic. So it might not be the best to improve focus. However, I think it aids in framing the composition due to the enlargement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 23, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 23, 2012 For framing I really like the old Leitz BL finder. Life-size magnification (can keep both eyes open and the frame seems to float in air), calibrated for framing at longer distances ( with marks for closer distances, plus a mechanical parallax adjustment). Great except for quick focus-and-shoot situations, and the regular finder frames are always there for those. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm23221 Posted July 24, 2012 Share #19 Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) I find that a magnifier does actually lower my otherwise excellent hit probability with this lens, by lowering the finder contrast. Are you using Leica's magnifier or a cheap knock-off? The enlargement of the patch should offset any contrast loss. Edited July 24, 2012 by jaapv repair quote Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 24, 2012 Share #20 Posted July 24, 2012 I find that a magnifier does actually lower my otherwise excellent hit probability with this lens, by lowering the finder contrast./QUOTE] Are you using Leica's magnifier or a cheap knock-off? The enlargement of the patch should offset any contrast loss. I tried the Leica 1.4x unit, and sold it. The contrast loss is real – the same image is streched out more – and for me this breaks the deal. The old man with his old eyes Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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