Jump to content

90mm & 135mm Difficulty in Use


dolina

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Jaapw

Early (film) VFs' are quite bright, and as long as the series M hotshot is the same distance from film plane as the series III a thru g, these 90 and 135 VFs are very efficient. (I run a Leica IIIf and have both dedicated VFs) granted, they don't magnify. Bit they are so bright, I don't find it matters.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest volker_m

 

Hi Henry,

 

thanks for posting pictures, but you might have missed my point. No doubt that Summicron 90 and Elmar 135 can be used wide open for web size pictures, or small paper prints. And of course, no issues when stopped down a bit.

 

I was talking about sharpness at original size (100% crop) when used wide open. Tripod or not, that is a challenge to focus accurately.

 

But of course, no issues when stopped down enough, and no issues wide open when looking at smaller picture sizes only. Something that looks blurred in 100% magnification might look just fine when reduced to 25% size (1500x1000 px) for the web.

 

BR,

Volker

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Henry,

 

thanks for posting pictures, but you might have missed my point. No doubt that Summicron 90 and Elmar 135 can be used wide open for web size pictures, or small paper prints. And of course, no issues when stopped down a bit.

 

I was talking about sharpness at original size (100% crop) when used wide open. Tripod or not, that is a challenge to focus accurately.

 

But of course, no issues when stopped down enough, and no issues wide open when looking at smaller picture sizes only. Something that looks blurred in 100% magnification might look just fine when reduced to 25% size (1500x1000 px) for the web.

 

BR,

Volker

Volker ,

Here a crop 100% at f:2 with Apo Summicron 90 Asph

Leica M9 320 Isos

 

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!

 

Best

Henry

I'll post crop 100% of 135 ApoTelyt :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

and the original picture

during my last humanitarian medical mission 2014

 

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!

 

Leica M9

Apo Summicron 90 Asph

without magnifier and without tripod

No correction

 

Best

Henry

Link to post
Share on other sites

My experience (with 135/4 and 90/2 on M8) is that it is possible to obtain accurate focus BUT....

 

Its 'on the edge'. Sometimes its simply isn't perfect ,despite me trying as hard as I can. It depends on good conditions, as soon as any factor such as low contrast, motion or even tiredness on my part, and the hit rate drops. So I'm intending(:eek:) to stick with 75/2 and 90/2.8 as my limits on the M9; sure I'd like longer/faster but the loss rate is frustrating even when it is low. I prefer to know that when I lose a shot due to mis-focus, its my fault rather than trying to push limits. And FWIW, yes, pixel peeping does reveal that digital is more unforgiving than film - but there again so do the large prints I occasionally get made;).

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest volker_m

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Volker ,

Here a crop 100% at f:2 with Apo Summicron 90 Asph

Leica M9 320 Isos

 

Henry,

 

sharp indeed. But your Summicron 90 must have a much larger DOF wide open than mine at the same distance. Or more likely, this wasn't shot at f/2.

 

Cheers,

Volker

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am wearing glasses and these are up-to-date, so I didn't see value in the diopter correction lens.

M cameras being set by default to -0.5 diopter, you may wish to make sure your eyeglasses are set to compensate for that. My eyeglasses are set to +1.5 diopters for instance but i use +2 diopters correction lenses on my Ms.

Link to post
Share on other sites

That dioptre is there for a reason. The projections in the viewfinder are set to 2 m virtual distance. Even if you correct, the result must still be -0.5 dioptre after correction for comfortable use. So do not compensate.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I used to use the same diopters as that of my glasses for my eyepiece correction lenses in the past but i was wrong. You may wish to take a look at what Leica says on this point:

Please note that the Leica M-Viewfinder is preset by default to -0.5 diopters, so anyone wearing glasses of 1 diopter strength would require a +1.5 diopters correction lens.

Correction lenses M // Viewfinder Accessories // Technical Equipment // Leica M // Photography - Leica Camera AG

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest volker_m
If i's good for Leica it is good for me.

 

Btw, I just found the advice from Leica CS on using Tele-Elmar-M 135/4 with the M9. This was part of the order confirmation when they did the focus adjustment.

 

Translation:

 

"Use of 135mm lenses on the M9 is limited. Due to the particularly small depth of field at this focal length and the resulting need for accurate adjustment of the entire system, we recommend to stop down at least 2 stops."

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!

Edited by volker_m
translation amendment: adjustment
Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes Leica issued the same warning in their user's manuals if memory serves but they kept selling the Apo-Telyt-M 135/3.4 in the same time with DoF tables based on the 0.03mm CoC. All i can say is i have three 135mm lenses (135/4, 135/2.8 & 135/3.4) and i can focus them all at f/4 at least with good hit rate on the M240. Sample below at f/4 with my Elmar from 1961 (focus on the label of the last book). Now i'm just an old Leica user having nothing to sell needless to say so my best advice to you is to have your lenses calibrated if need be and to order a diopter correction lens of the same correction as your eyeglasses + 0.5 diopter. FWIW.

http://tinyurl.com/msyg4rk (13 MB file)

Link to post
Share on other sites

I used to use the same diopters as that of my glasses for my eyepiece correction lenses in the past but i was wrong. You may wish to take a look at what Leica says on this point:

 

Correction lenses M // Viewfinder Accessories // Technical Equipment // Leica M // Photography - Leica Camera AG

Which begs the question: why set it to -0.5 when it needs to be corrected?:confused:
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

In my case I use 1.35x with 135mm APO.

 

Somewhat strange, but I don't have any issues when subject is anything from 1.5m to 20-30m.

 

For me the problem begins in those distances where the lens has to be focused between 20 and infinity. One gets rather quickly from 20m to infinity sign on the lens, and I am never 100% sure I hit the focus correctly.

Than again, it might be I am not so steady and 135mm lens and long distance subject reveal this.

 

My workaround is to set it to f/5.6 ant longer distances. This one was shot at 25m distance and cropped.

 

The second one is some 45m and f/4.6, and one can see the focus is behind the player.

 

It is a bit troublesome, and as if the lens is a bit back focusing, but I checked this via display and it's not. Although most of the "wrong focus" images appear to be back focused in my library.

Anyhow, I really like 135mm.

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!

Edited by mirekti
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

In 135mm, I have both the old Elmar 4.0 and newer Tele-Elmarit 4.0, ser #2459xxx

 

Even on a tripod (with a cable release and 2 sec. self-timer) stopped down to f:8 (1/90) on an M240 I can't pull great focus in LV @ 10x from 15' away (let's call it 'party distance') - which is of course the same as the disappointing capture.  Acceptable?  Not to me if I'm doing architecture etc.  Both a bit low in contrast as well.

 

All other lenses tack sharp from 21 to 90 up & down the dial

 

Is it the case that we just can't expect much from these lenses?  My 90's are terrific performers, even the C (Tried the old 2.0 90.  Sold after 1 week of frustration - too heavy anyway.)

 

Of interest, the old & new lens perform nearly identically

 

Any reccs for alternate 135's?  I don't need one often but when I do, its got to be usable @ at least 5.6.  The 'eyes' version to me is a wish that didn't come true.

 

Thanks all!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I use a lot Tele Elmar 135...typically at f8, and with the usual focus with RF the rate of success is high (STABLE situations... I have never learned how to manage moving targets with 135... but someone knows how) ;

Recently I picked up again my Tele Elmarit 135 ("goggled") ... well, wasn't for its size/shape I would ALWAYS use it... mounting and looking in the finder is superpleasant in comparision with the miserable standard frame of 135... If you aren't too worried about carrying it (NOT pocketable, definitely.. :() I would warmly encourage you towards this fine lens... the last items are excellent performers and even not too costly, being an "odd but no rare" item.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Just spent time looking at results of old LTM 135mm lenses.  Jupiter & Canon pics look terrific - and are very affordable on Ebay.  After a bit more looking will pick one up.  The Leica ones I have are sadly useless

 

I've great success with non Leica lenses for yrs. 

 

Zeiss 21 & 50 (1.5)

 

Voight 35 2.5 pancake (tiny!) & 75 (my go-to portrait lens)

 

Leitz - too many to list.  My daily shooters are Summi 50 ver 4, most recent Elmar collapsible 50 or Summi 35 2.0 ASPH

 

No one other than a geek or snob cares about lens brand when they experience a photograph that touches them

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...