rsolomon Posted May 13, 2018 Share #1 Posted May 13, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have an m240 and the adapter to take R lenses and looking for a 135. I won’t use this focal length to often but debating on the 135 3.4 APO, designed for the M or the R 135 2.8. Thoughts on the 135 2.8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 13, 2018 Posted May 13, 2018 Hi rsolomon, Take a look here 135 f2.8. - any good ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
adan Posted May 13, 2018 Share #2 Posted May 13, 2018 (edited) The APO is technically the better lens, at least at wider apertures. So is the Tele-Elmar-M f/4 (predecessor to the APO). But the f/2.8 (which also comes in M-mount natively, with rangefinder goggles, as well as in R mount, and they were the same optics in either mount, throughout most of their life) is no slouch. I'd rate it as the second-best SLR-mount 135 f/2.8 ever made (after the Zeiss/Contax/Kyocera Sonnar MM 135 f/2.8, and not counting the Nikon/Canon/Zeiss f/2.0 135s, which are a whole different ball game). It is quite sharp, lower contrast than the APO 135-M or the Zeiss/Contax MM, with the family characteristics of the other Walter-Mandler-designed non-APO faster teles (75 Summilux, 90 Summicron, 180 Summicron-R f/2.8 or f/4, 250 f/4 Telyt-R, etc.) to a greater or lesser extent. Cooler color balance, nice bokeh at certain distances, a certain amount of chromatic aberration (color fringes around fine details wide-open). There were two R versions - 1964 design and 1968. The second version is marginally better (clarity and contrast) - but bottom line, is still a 1960s design (even if made in the 1990s). I tried the v.2 R version on a Canon 5D - very nice, but my native M 135 f/4 was even nicer, and weighed less as a package with an M camera, for about the same price - so I stayed with that choice. Edited May 13, 2018 by adan 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted May 13, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted May 13, 2018 Very helpful- Thankyou ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve McGarrett Posted May 13, 2018 Share #4 Posted May 13, 2018 The Apo-M is the technically better lens, no doubt about it (and priced accordingly, though) However, the Elmarit-R is a Mandler-style, wonderful lens, sharp wide open and great from f/4 on, and at that price tag it's an absolute bargain. No doubt it's a 60s design... just like other excellent 60s design such as Tele-Elmar-M 135, Summicron-R 50 v1, Summicron-M 50 rigid (v2), Elmarit-R 90 v1, and so on. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted May 13, 2018 Share #5 Posted May 13, 2018 At one time I had the 135/2.8 and used it in various configurations on film bodies and then on my Nikon DSLR. My overall feeling was that its size and weight overshadowed its added f/stop. I didn't have that issue with a Canon 135/2, and the Tele-Elmar 135/4 was such a good performer that I went back to it for my Leica (and much other work). I also tried the 135/3.4 APO, but it was too clinical, and as I recall the head wasn't removable, so I couldn't use it on my Nikon DSLR. As for your situation, I'd say first - determine if it is something you may be carrying for long periods or distances and whether you really need the extra f/stop. If those are issues for you, there are much better choices, IMHO. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted May 16, 2018 Share #6 Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) I have an original single cam 135/2.8 R lens c.1965 … used with my Leica T and bought from Ffordes for £95 … https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/276596-leica-t-budget-macro/?hl=lizards&do=findComment&comment=3354182 it's a superb lens and the final single lizard image recently won an an exhibition print award. dunk Edited May 16, 2018 by dkCambridgeshire 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musotographer Posted May 16, 2018 Share #7 Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I bought one (the R version) yesterday, and while it was a little more than £95 it was still VERY cheap for a Leica lens. I've only used it at the dealer's shop and around the house so far, but from what I've seen it's a splendid lens which I'm going to enjoy a lot. I do also have the Tele-Elmar-M, (also bought for a song, at a recent Photographica fair) but I bought the new lens for its extra stop for portraits, and as I shall mainly be using it for that purpose at home the considerable weight isn't really an issue. If I want a 135 to take out and about I can still use the excellent T-E-M. At f2.8 it definitely gives a more melting background if that's what one wants, apparently without being significantly less sharp than f4 where it matters. Edited May 16, 2018 by Musotographer 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted May 17, 2018 Share #8 Posted May 17, 2018 TL on tripood, self-timer 12 s, focus on the red brick building,which is distant 570 m. 135 af f/2.8 – 4. Fernando. 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 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/284528-135-f28-any-good/?do=findComment&comment=3520179'>More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted May 17, 2018 Share #9 Posted May 17, 2018 135/2.8 at 5.6, and 8. 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 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/284528-135-f28-any-good/?do=findComment&comment=3520181'>More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted May 17, 2018 Share #10 Posted May 17, 2018 135/2.8 at 11, and 16. 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 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/284528-135-f28-any-good/?do=findComment&comment=3520183'>More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted May 17, 2018 Share #11 Posted May 17, 2018 Finally, at 22. 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 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/284528-135-f28-any-good/?do=findComment&comment=3520184'>More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted May 17, 2018 Share #12 Posted May 17, 2018 Images are 100% crop, upper left corner. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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