Leica Elmarit-R 135 2.8 with M10-P?

[maxfairclough]

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Hi guys! 
 

So a friend of mine recently picked up a Leica M10-P with a 28mm and 50mm lens. He’s also looking at picking up a vintage Leica Elmarit-R 135 2.8 lens that comes with goggles. He was wondering if this is compatible with the Leica M10-P? He had used this lenses on an older camera many years ago. 
 

I am new to the Leica system myself. I understand the M10 has a larger viewfinder than previous models. Would this effect anything? 

[maxfairclough]

Just to add I meant “M” mount not “R” mount. 

[a.noctilux]

Version III Elmarit-M 2.8/135mm

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I use this nice lens on my Leica M since long

It's heavy so I use most the Tele-Elmar 4/135,

but each time I use the Elmarit-M, the results are very pleasing and RF focussing/framing with Leica M is mush easier,

when use in closer range than 10m.

The clever design helps a lot, the correction lenses magnify the VF in x1.5 ratio to use the 90mm framelines.

So framing is more accurate (than the T-E 135), and focussing gain x1.5 lets the f/2.8 very usable when light is scarse.

[luigi bertolotti]

The last version (above depicted) is really excellent : the previous version (different lens schema) is less enjoyable both in contrast and sharpness.

It's not very popular, so that it's also a rather good buy… wasn'it so bulky to carry with you…   .. it's disturbing in any bag… and its case, though fine, pays its toll to the goggle unit…

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Edited October 17, 2019 by luigi bertolotti

[adan]

The 135 f/2.8 (any of the goggled M versions) will function on the M10 - or most any other M camera (including the M2, which has no native 135mm framelines).

For a given value of "function" - which is to say they have their issues on any M camera.

- large and heavy: 730-780 grams, heavier than the 50 f/0.95 or any other M lens except the new 75 APO-Noctilux.

- goggles are yet another link in the focusing chain that can separately get out of alignment/adjustment (in addition to the lens cam itself, or the camera RF)

- last updated optically about 1968, which means before APO/ED glass became generally available. Lots of color fringing at f/2.8. Not even close to today's Zeiss/Nikon/Canon 135 f/2s or the M APO-Telyt f/3.4. Stop it down to f/5.6 and it will just about equal the much-smaller Tele-Elmar at f/4 or the APO at f/3.4.

- framing (which uses the 90 mm framelines, filled with a magnified view of the world thanks to the goggles) is pretty rough, even for Leica Ms - one still gets a lot of excess in the final picture compared to the framing one saw in the finder, until one gets down to around 7 feet/2m subject distance. Wasted pixels.

Now, on the plus side, the Elmarits have more "Mandler look" than the slower lenses: lovely soft bokeh, greenish color rendering, etc. Pairs well with its contemporary pre-APO 90 Summicron or 180 Elmarit-Rs. Noticably better than a contemporary (1965-78) Nikkor or Canon 135 f/2.8 at f/2.8.

It led the pack - a long, long time ago.

NB - the R 135 f/2.8s are the exact same glass in a different mount. Can be adapted for M use, but require the add-on "Visoflex" accessory EVF. Which of course can also be used with the M versions.

On a personal note, I find the goggles always try to pinch my fingertips when mounting/unmounting the M version.