CL telephoto options

[jpreisch]

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I'm thinking of obtaining a telephoto lens for my CL.  I'm considering the Vario elmar tl 55-135, the panasonic lumix 70-200 f4 and the panasonic lumix 70-200 f2.8.  What do you think?  Any experience with these lenses on the CL? 

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[wda]

I have the Varo-Elmar and it is superb. Many users would agree. As an alternative you might consider a fixed 135mm such as the f/4 Elmar I discussed here https://www.macfilos.com/2020/05/13/leica-135mm-f4-elmar-bargain-telephoto-for-the-m/ or the later Tele-Elmar or current Apo-Telyt. They are manual focus and would require the M to L adapter. Auto-focus alternatives are quite limited, but members here have reported their experiences and preferences. It would be worth searching the forum for earier threads.

[Gregm61]

There's a good user review of the Panasonic 70-200mm f4 OIS used on a CL over on the B&H website. Sounds like an excellent combination.

I currently use the 55-135mm f3.5-4.5 on my CL and think the combination is quite good. I use it with auto ISO with 4x focal length shutter speed selection in Aperture Priority mode to offset no stabilization. The excellent performance up to ISO 6400 makes this workaround a very valid option.The 11-23 and 55-135mm zooms are my two main lenses with the CL, with the 35mm f1.4 filling the gap.

[nicci78]

Just wait for the new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sport (New optical formulae for mirrorless only) It should be better than Panasonic offering and cheaper than LUMIX S 70-200mm f/4 

Sigma promised it for early this year. But Coronavirus seems to delayed everything 

It will be part of the new DG DN family designed for full frame L-mount and FE mount : 14-28mm f/2.8 ; 35mm f/1.2 ; 45mm f/2.8 ; 24-70mm f/2.8 

Edited May 14, 2020 by nicci78

[Boojay]

3 hours ago, nicci78 said:

Just wait for the new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sport (New optical formulae for mirrorless only) It should be better than Panasonic offering and cheaper than LUMIX S 70-200mm f/4 

Sigma promised it for early this year. But Coronavirus seems to delayed everything 

It will be part of the new DG DN family designed for full frame L-mount and FE mount : 14-28mm f/2.8 ; 35mm f/1.2 ; 45mm f/2.8 ; 24-70mm f/2.8 

I would not be as sure that the Sigma will be better, but one thing I am pretty sure about is it will be twice the weight of the f/4 Lumix, however if 2.8 is a necessity and you can wait,  it's probably good advice.  I feel the larger heavier lenses are just too much on the CL body, unless you are happy with monopod or tripod, or just much better than me at handholding.

The f/4 Lumix  (985 grams) performs well and feels handleable on the CL (with grip and thumbie).   I am more than happy with the image quality.

The 55-135 Vario Elmar (500 grams) is as said above superb.  

Just down to whether you want 70-200 or 100-300 equivalent, and are happy with the extra bulk of the Lumix.  

 

 

 

[nicci78]

According to the latest guide of optics by Le monde de la photo a french photo magazine : Leica L-mount lenses are a little bit better than Sigma's which are a little bit better than Lumix S one. 

So in a nutshell, Lumix S are way too expensive for their performance against newest made for mirrorless Sigma DG DN lenses. Even some older DG HSM lenses are better than Panasonic one. 

Of course it is only a trend and we have to wait for real reviews. But keep in mind that Panasonic (even with Leica branding) never been the best in class in optics. With Olympus often beating them in m4/3 space. 

At least we can be sure that the price of Sigma will be way lower than Panasonic for at least the same performance. 

Edited May 14, 2020 by nicci78

[Gregm61]

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My whole reason for going with the CL and starting to do away with my heavier Olympus f2.8 zoom lens system outfit is just that, the weight of the CL (lack thereof) means anything heavier than the 55-135mm f3.5-4.5, for me, is a non-starter, even at the cost of no stabilization. It's simply not been an issue.

If the CL's higher ISO performance was not any better than the current Olympus bodies that could be a different story the way I use the 55-135, but that's not the case.

[tommonego@gmail.com]

I have 3 off beat options.

200 f4 Telyt, nice lens, a little heavy with a TZOON adapter, but I like the results.

400 f5.6 Telyt, Televit I like the results from this lens, unloved lens in the Leica community, I can hand hold it at a 500th of a second using a Leica table top tripod on my shoulder (thanks Bags27 for the tip). Too heavy for my Manfroto BeFree tripod, so I need my bigger tripod with it.

135 f4 Tele Xenon, Retina Schneider, I don't really like this lens much, while images are good but the minimum focus is 12 ft. Not the best for someone who likes macro.

All are manual focus. 

[bags27]

I was out yesterday with the R 135/2.8 II with the x2 APO, giving effectively 400mm. Naturally, I spotted a spectacular blue heron that was just beyond the kit's best reach. But otherwise, I was really pleased with the results. I had forgot had lovely that very inexpensive Mandler lens renders. But autofocus would have given me a decent chance at the osprey flying overhead with a fish in his talons. 

[jpreisch]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.  I just purchased a Vario-Elmar TL 55-135 from Leica Miami.

[wda]

41 minutes ago, jpreisch said:

Thanks to everyone for your replies.  I just purchased a Vario-Elmar TL 55-135 from Leica Miami.

Jim,  a well-proven and popular choice.  Enjoy!

[bags27]

1 hour ago, jpreisch said:

Thanks to everyone for your replies.  I just purchased a Vario-Elmar TL 55-135 from Leica Miami.

Excellent choice! Make sure you set focus to multiple, rather than single point. Otherwise it'll hunt a lot.

Macro tip: the Marumi macro filter is excellent (as good as the Elpro at 1/4 the price) and great at the wider focal lengths; tends to get a little weird around the 135 length.

[jaapv]

Or an old type Elpro 3. It is a 55 mm thread, so you need a step ring, but it will not vignette and is optically. superb - and cheap.

[pebbles]

Has anyone tried a Zeiss 50mm Contax Planar on the CL and found an acceptable profile ?  I have one spare and would like to ry it.

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4 hours ago, pebbles said:

Has anyone tried a Zeiss 50mm Contax Planar on the CL and found an acceptable profile ?  I have one spare and would like to ry it.

Just buy a cheap adapter and try it. I would not worry about the profile. This lens should not need one. Adapting all kinds of lenses to the CL is part of the fun.

[jaapv]

5 hours ago, pebbles said:

Has anyone tried a Zeiss 50mm Contax Planar on the CL and found an acceptable profile ?  I have one spare and would like to ry it.

What profile do you want? These are not hybrid design ones that need digital integration - they did quite fine on film without.

[HuntingSand]

Am 14.5.2020 um 13:41 schrieb jpreisch:

Thanks to everyone for your replies.  I just purchased a Vario-Elmar TL 55-135 from Leica Miami.

Congratulations on the new lens. What use have you been able to make of the Vario-Elmar APO so far? Mine will arrive later this week, to be used on my TL2.

[AdHox]

On 5/15/2020 at 6:41 AM, jpreisch said:

Thanks to everyone for your replies.  I just purchased a Vario-Elmar TL 55-135 from Leica Miami.

I made the same decision for my CL kit. I considered the 70-200 lenses, but don’t need the extra bulk. If I need longer than 135mm/APSC, then I have longer lenses in other systems with faster AF. The 55-135 is reasonably compact for travel and provides enough length.

Due to COVID isolation and lockdown I’ve had no opportunity to give it a decent workout - there’s only so much I can do with the magpie that visits my backyard. But slowly things are opening up here - and some places closing again due to excess demand - so come the weekend I hope to get out and have some fun.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Einst_Stein]

I have used M Elmar 135mm/f4 and R 80-200mm/f4. Both are superb. No AF of course.

That was before I got the 55-135mm. Now I use only TL55-135mm. Th convenience means a lot to me. IQ? I don't even bother to compare. 

Hey, it is CL, APS/C.

[tom0511]

in my experience the 55-135 is a very good lens. it also works well for portrait, and it is quite compact. IS would be nice though.