sblutter Posted March 25, 2014 Share #1 Posted March 25, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Anyone have any experience with this combo? Focus issues? All good? Thanks for your comments in advance - I've always wanted this lens from film days, a few are avail on Ebay. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Hi sblutter, Take a look here M9 - 135mm ELMARIT f2.8 with eyes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
haroldp Posted March 26, 2014 Share #2 Posted March 26, 2014 Anyone have any experience with this combo? Focus issues? All good? Thanks for your comments in advance - I've always wanted this lens from film days, a few are avail on Ebay. Thanks! I have used this combo successfully. Focus at f2.8 is critical as dog is paper thin. Regards ... H Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Michel Posted March 26, 2014 Share #3 Posted March 26, 2014 I have this lens. There are a few threads in the forum, as late as in the last couple of weeks, so scroll down and check those out. I have owned this lens for a few decades and use it occasionally only; I wish that I had not sold my f/4 Tel-Elmar lens as I think that it is a better lens than the f/2.8 Elmarit. But then again, the Elmarit works fine if you are careful with it; focussing accurately wide-open can be a bit of hit and miss. Today, if I was looking for a 135 lens for my M9, I would not get the Elmarit, even with it's usually low purchase price. Jean-Michel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick in CO Posted March 26, 2014 Share #4 Posted March 26, 2014 Anyone have any experience with this combo? Focus issues? All good? Thanks for your comments in advance - I've always wanted this lens from film days, a few are avail on Ebay. Thanks! I have tried three different 135 Elmarits, all of which showed varying degrees of mis-focus on my M9. Finally sent the best one into Leica NJ for adjustment to "digital specifications". Came back spot on! I think a lot of the complaints about the "softness" of this lens relates to it not being properly adjusted for the flatter digital sensor. I compared the Elmarit to a couple of Tele Elmars and found no real difference at f4 in prints up to 13x19 (admittedly not a significant sample size). The Elmarit gives you f2.8 which is not absolutely sharp, but quite good, especially for portraits and wedding groups. In addition, the Elmarit has a more neutral color cast, the Tele Elmar has a greenish tint especially noticeable with fluorescent lighting. If I bought on the cheap, like on eBay, I would do so only with the caveat of probably having to spend another $300-350 to have it adjusted to digital specs. If buying from a camera store, get a return promise and check it out for proper focus. I sometimes use mine with the 1.4X magnifier, gives a tunnel vision magnification. Sharpest when used on a tripod, but I've had good luck hand-held as well, both with and without the eyepiece magnifier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted March 26, 2014 Share #5 Posted March 26, 2014 Hi, I have an Elmarit with focus issues. First of all the lens back focuses as it is stopped down. Secondly the lens is out of adjustment. At 2 meters to get consistantly in focus images I would need to unscrew the head (mine is a version I) by 1/2 turn, at 5 meters just 1/4 turn and it is fine at infinity. I got intouch with Leica in Germany and they say they do not have parts to repair the lens. Next week it will be going on its holidays to Malcom Taylor in the UK to get adjusted. As a side note I just got the APO version secondhand and it is the polor opposite. Pin sharp at 2 and 5 meters for front focusing at infinity. AHHHHH! So between the two lenses I have all distances covered. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick in CO Posted March 27, 2014 Share #6 Posted March 27, 2014 Hi, I have an Elmarit with focus issues. First of all the lens back focuses as it is stopped down. Secondly the lens is out of adjustment. At 2 meters to get consistantly in focus images I would need to unscrew the head (mine is a version I) by 1/2 turn, at 5 meters just 1/4 turn and it is fine at infinity. I got intouch with Leica in Germany and they say they do not have parts to repair the lens. Next week it will be going on its holidays to Malcom Taylor in the UK to get adjusted. As a side note I just got the APO version secondhand and it is the polor opposite. Pin sharp at 2 and 5 meters for front focusing at infinity. AHHHHH! So between the two lenses I have all distances covered. Interesting. Leica New Jersey "fixed" mine without hesitation: "repair focusing mount", "adjust focus", "CLA", "repair aperture assembly", "align bug eye mount", "MTF"?, "test shots with digital M to confirm focus accuracy". I guess no new parts were used, looks as new. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Michel Posted March 27, 2014 Share #7 Posted March 27, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Interesting. Leica New Jersey "fixed" mine without hesitation: "repair focusing mount", "adjust focus", "CLA", "repair aperture assembly", "align bug eye mount", "MTF"?, "test shots with digital M to confirm focus accuracy". I guess no new parts were used, looks as new. Same here. Leica NJ made the same adjustment on my lens, no parts needed Jean-Michel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted March 27, 2014 Share #8 Posted March 27, 2014 Thanks a million. I'll give Leica in NJ a miss as I am in Europe, so I will try Malcom Taylor as he seems to get great reports from this site. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted March 27, 2014 Share #9 Posted March 27, 2014 I have had good results shooting school rugby matches with this combination, despite the narrow depth of field. Otherwise it's bigger than I like M lenses to be and I don't use it much for that reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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