135mm elmar and tele elmar lenses for Digital M cameras

[Nick_S]

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I read a couple of threads here concerning how hit and miss it is getting the focussing correctly calibrated of 135mm lenses for Digital M camera bodies (which often seem to front focus). I would ideally like to obtain a 39mm filter thread version of a 135mm lens for use on my Monochrom body.

 

Have Leica sorted out their ability to correct these calibration issues or are the 135 lenses still problematic? I don't mind using an eyepiece magnifier (I have the angled one from the 90mm MEM), but I want to be able to focus a 135mm lens accurately at f4.

 

Nick

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[UliWer]

I am not sure what you read about calibration of 135mm lenses. Though I think, there is no real calibration problem, it's just the rangefinder and/or the eyes.

 

For 135mm the measurement basis and normal magnification of an M-rangefinder gives you less precisison than with a SLR camera - at all shorter focal lengthes the M rangefinder is much more precise. Therefore Leica recommends to use 135mm at f/5.6 or smaller - more DOFcompensates for lack of precision. Or you use a magnifier.

 

I think this caveat by Leica is right - if you have just mortal eyes. Though there are some eagle-eyed people around - a lot of them gathering in this forum - who will tell you, that Leica is telling stories and there is no problem to use a 135mm at f/4 or f/3.4 without a magnifier.

[jankap]

If you have a M(240), you can switch to live view in the case of the 135.

With life view the 135 works fine.

 

The M3 had a view finder with a magnification of 0.9 and was intended for lenses from 50mm and up. After the M3 the cameras were designed more with focus on wide angles, with a lower magnification. At cost of the 135ers.

 

Important is the distance between the rangefinder windows multiplicated by the view finder magnification.

Jan

[lct]

...I want to be able to focus a 135mm lens accurately at f4...

No problem with full frame Ms normally but some magnification may help.

The Elmar 135/4 (# 11850) is a very good lens and has a 39mm filter thread. It is a tall lens though but deliciously retro if you like that. Its "head" may be screwed in a short mount (# 14071) for use on Visoflex I and (with OUBIO adapter) Visoflex II.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Elmar_1:4_/_135mm

[Nick_S]

I am not sure what you read about calibration of 135mm lenses. Though I think, there is no real calibration problem, it's just the rangefinder and/or the eyes.

 

Here, are the earlier threads referring to mechanical calibration issues in the lenses themselves (as opposed to focussing difficulties arising from the range finder base with a 0.68x magnification viewfinder):

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/217566-adjusting-tele-elmar-4-135-m9.html

 

and

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/52757-focus-tele-elmar-135-4-a.html

 

Nick

[jankap]

That would be a one-time problem.

Of course it is not nice to send your stuff to Solms. But then the problem is solved.

Jan

[UliWer]

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Solms doesn't repair the 4/135 Elmar (built before 1966) any more, but the Tele-Elmar should be repared still.

 

For the old Elmar you have to be sure that the tube has the same serial number as the lens-head, otherwise you will never be able to get it right. The serial number should be scratched in the tube or there should be a little sticker.

[Nick_S]

Solms doesn't repair the 4/135 Elmar (built before 1966) any more, but the Tele-Elmar should be repared still

I am surprised about the lack of servicing for the Elmar. I guess that leaves the tele elmar as an option, but the mixed experiences reported of Leica's success in getting these set-up properly for digital use remain a concern for me.

 

Nick

[lct]

I would not worry too much about those rumors. I have not the Tele-Elmar, only Elmarit and Elmar, but i use the latters the same way on digital as film. Matter of luck as well as any second hand lens may need some adjustment anyway.

[jaapv]

The lenses are still serviced by independents like DAG or Will van Manen,

I have the Hector, Elmar (twice),Tele-Elmar and Apo and they are all excellent lenses which function perfectly on the digital Ms.

Will adjusted my Tele-Elmar with success.

I think my real favorite is the Tele-Elmar, but the Apo is of course the highest resolving one.

[C_R]

My Elmar from 1962 works fine on the Monochrom, but focus is indeed tricky. I have good eyesight (with glasses for myopia), but I Need a magnifier. I bought the 1,4 Version, and was not happy because I had to use my reading glasses, 1 Diopter undercorrected, to see really sharp enough for focussing with the magnifier. So I had to order a +1 diopter to countercorrect the -0.5 Diopter of the viewfinder, plus the -0.5 Diopter of the magnifier...

 

Some shots with MM and the Elmar

My flickr tagged with Elmar

 

Carsten

[Bill W]

I had concerns about my ability to focus a 135 but found it was a lot easier than I read. I bought a coded 135 APO and find it is a superb, sharp and easy to focus lens. I am happy I finally bought one.

[lct]

You mean a new coded 135/3.4 on a M240 i guess right?

[Bill W]

You mean a new coded 135/3.4 on a M240 i guess right?

Nope, on my MM or M9. I am not an owner of the M240.