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Telephoto lenses for CL camera Vario-Elmar-TL 55-135mm VS. APO-Telyt-M 135mm f/3.4


eev776

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5 hours ago, ramarren said:

Since I own no TL series lenses and use only R and M lenses on my CL, I'm not in a position to compare the TL lenses against the M and R lenses. That said, in general the ergonomics of the R lenses is superior to that of the M lenses on the CL body, just as they work better for me on the SL body as well. I almost never used my M mount lenses on the SL body, where I do use them more often on the CL body; the smaller sized lenses do fit better along with the non-centered eyepiece for the EVF making them feel more at home.

I have 90mm and 135mm lenses in both M and R mounts, and I have the R180mm f/4 as well; not the specific ones you're talking about. To me, they all perform well but quite differently. To me, the R135 is delightful because not only can I use it on the CL for a nice-sized 200mm equivalent FoV, but it works beautifully on the Leica Focus Bellows-R as well for long lens macro work in much the way I used to use a MIcro-Nikkor 200mm f/4 ED-IF AIS with my Nikon SLR gear. My Elmar-R 180mm f/4 is only marginally larger (and actually a little lighter) than the Elmarit-R 135mm; it's a better pick for when I need reach of a lens closer to 300mm in FF equivalent FoV terms, and too long for many situations where the 135mm is ideal. 

While I tend to agree with the notion that the lenses designed for the camera are likely the best choice for general use and maximum body functionality, I'm not particularly comfortable with using zooms so I'd buy an R prime lens, or two,  that covers most of what I want over the TL zoom. That's my personal predilection; I'm skeptical about offering it as "advice".. :D

I like how you saying " I'm not particularly comfortable with using zooms so I'd buy an R prime lens, or two,  that covers most of what I want over the TL zoom".

So I'm pretty much doing the same, by covering it with M lenses. 

When I take a night shot of Downtown Los Angeles, I can see for sure, how crisp and detailed everything with APO M Summicron 90mm looks and how blurry elements can get with TL lens at 90mm focal, same other settings. So why using it?

Edited by eev776
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I'm the same: prefer manual focus primes to zooms and autofocus.

But the "secret" (for me, at least) of the TL 55-135 for quick autofocus at 135 focal is to be in multi-field focus. In single point focus, it just hunts too much. Once I figured that out, I've really liked the lens. I've thought of selling it because I have both the M and R 135 f/4 (the latter I can pair with the 2x APO), but for travel, the 55-135 also fills in at the lower focal lengths. It's just a really handy lens when you need exactly that.

Edited by bags27
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The 135mm f3.4 APO Telyt is a great lens.......on my M262. I sent the camera and lens to DAG, who adjusted the lens to focus perfectly on that body and it does, wide open and up close or any other distance or aperture, but I wouldn't use it on the CL. The 55-135 is just way too convenient, way, way more versatile and easier to use on the CL, and the sharpness seems every bit as good.

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I'm trying to get Leica R lens 180mm f3.4 Apo Telyt-R ROM E60 3680216

It be my first R lens, so I'm wondering about suggestions for the adapter to use on my Leica CL.

Leica R to L adapter costs $1,000 , is there is any other good alternatives, or that is the only one if I want lens to communicate with my camera?

Edited by eev776
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You can use the Leica M to L adapter stacked with a cheap "dumb" R to M adapter and save a few hundred $$. It won't transmit the focal length (about the only sensible thing the ROM does) but it will allow you to use the thumb wheel for magnification. And, if you consider that this will be your only R lens, the focal length in EXIF has not that much relevance. Additionally, you will be able to mount M lenses without further cost, if so desired.

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If I buy Leica R-M adapter, would I be able to see Exif and data using it stacked with my Leica M-L mount adapter that I already have?

Leica R-M adapter is $500 cheaper than R-L.

Edited by eev776
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1 hour ago, nicci78 said:

Yes you would. The Leica R-Adapter-M and the Novoflex (licenced by Leica) are 6-bit coded.

 You will get access to R lens selection menu = correct EXIF & automatic software corrections. 

Awesome, thanks for reply! 

I bought Leica R-Adapter-M from Adorama today and waiting to receive Leica APO-Telyt-R 180 mm f/3.4, from Leica San Francisco dealer, they say it's in E+ condition, it will be swapped with my 3 month old 55-135mm TL.

I wanna use this R lens on M camera that I'm planning to get later this year.

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Anybody can recommend where to find PDF brochure for Leica APO-Telyt-R 180 mm f/3.4 R ROM E60 version from 1994. 

All I found is this link below, but I'm looking for a copy of actual brochure/manual.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/180mm_f/3.4_APO-Telyt-R

Thanks!

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On 2/27/2020 at 9:15 AM, eev776 said:

Anybody can recommend where to find PDF brochure for Leica APO-Telyt-R 180 mm f/3.4 R ROM E60 version from 1994. 

All I found is this link below, but I'm looking for a copy of actual brochure/manual.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/180mm_f/3.4_APO-Telyt-R

Thanks!

Here is a PDF for APO-Elmarit 2,8/180mm: http://www.summilux.net/r_system/pdf/180apo_e.pdf

More info on 3,4/180mm: 

http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Leitz_Apo-Telyt_180mm_glass/00_pag.htm

https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-lens/leica-apo-telyt-r-180mm-34

Edited by J.Nordvik
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5 hours ago, J.Nordvik said:

Thank you, I seen those earlier. I contacted Leica and ask them to publish PDF on Leica website, they say they will.

I have old Leica Product Directory catalogs,  I scanned two pages first one from 1976 and second one from 1982. 

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Finally my Leica APO-Telyt-R 180 mm f/3.4 R ROM E60, version from 1994 arrived today!!!

I'm super happy it's in a mint condition, it apparently was boxed somewhere since 1994, waiting for me to be opened in 2020. I'm going to test it this weekend, can't wait to post those photos.

This lens feels build like a tank, a truly amazing quality and design of something incredible, I certainly won't regret TL 55-135mm, that did not feel right to me after 3 month of extensive use.

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It's also truly amazing to see that this lens was Made in Canada, I do trust Canadian quality!

Edited by eev776
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11 minutes ago, eev776 said:

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what are you suggesting? That it's in good condition or that it was made in Canada?

Edited by bags27
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12 minutes ago, eev776 said:

It's fantastic that it was Made in Canada, you misunderstood something :)))

I don't know what I misunderstood. This lens was ONLY made in Canada. IIRC, Mandler designed it originally as a spotting scope for the Canadian navy.

are you Canadian? or just don't like things made in Germany? 😀

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1 hour ago, bags27 said:

I don't know what I misunderstood. This lens was ONLY made in Canada. IIRC, Mandler designed it originally as a spotting scope for the Canadian navy.

are you Canadian? or just don't like things made in Germany? 😀

I don't think these questions related to this forum. 

However if you gear to know, I'm an American, German / Russian descend, my home is sunny California, but I lived in Canada for 7 years Toronto and Montreal.

Edited by eev776
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TL + APO Extender 2x + APO-Telyt 3,4/180mm

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A crop from the same:

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