Sharp and compact 135-150mm for M mount

[wolan]

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Hi,

I am looking for a lens for my Leica M10 with the following characteristics to use mostly for landscape photography, but not only:

• very sharp
• as compact and light as it goes
• do not mind f4 bit not slower
• possibly with a pleasant bokeh
• M mount but I can adapt the lens if needed.

The Jupiter 11 is a good candidate, though not super sharp.

What is your suggestion?

Thank you

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[ralf3]

Apo Telyt 135mm

[Ecar]

By ascending price on the used market (for the Canon and Nikon, you want the last, black versions - these are lighter/smaller):

Canon 135/3.5 LTM

Nikkor QC 135/3.5 LTM

Tele-Elmar-M 135/4

...and of course the Apo-Telyt if budget allows.

Any of the above is a better choice than the J-11 IMHO.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Ecar

[wda]

Taking your J-11 as a price benchmark,  consider a Leica-M Elmar 135mm f/4. Google the forum for performance examples. Or, if budget allows, its successor  the Tele-Elmar.

[spydrxx]

+1 - Used the Elmar and Tele-Elmar for many years. You can't go wrong with either.

[luigi bertolotti]

You can't go wrong with a Tele Elmar in fine condition : not too costly, btw

[BrianS]

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I have a ridiculous number of 135's in Leica mount.

 

Agree with Ecar for the late version Canon 135/3.5 Black version that takes 48mm filters and hoods. Small, light, compact.

The late Black Nikkor 13.5cm F3.5 is lighter than the chrome versions, very sharp, but heavier and longer than the Canon.

The Arco 13.5cm F3.8 Tele-Colinar that I picked up for under $30 is very good, small and compact.

I adapted a CZJ 13.5cm F4 Sonnar to Leica mount using a J-11: uncoated optics, beautiful colors.

 

For The J-11, I have a 1952 KMZ J-11 with German Glass- very good.

I also have 135's from Komura, Minolta Chiyoko, Schacht, Steinheil, and others. 

Also have the Leica 135/4.5 Hektor and 135/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. Not small or light.

Edited October 17, 2020 by BrianS

[Stuart Richardson]

I agree with the others with respect to the Tele Elmar. I have the 135mm Tele Elmar in a later body shell (46mm). It is still a very very sharp lens, even on 50mp like the SL2 or Sony A7R bodies. There can be slight CA and a bit of softness at the edges at f4, but by 5.6 it is extremely good. It is a very compact and light lens for its focal length...any SLR lens is going to be bigger if only because of the size of the mount.