PLW Posted February 15, 2022 Share #1 Posted February 15, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Last year I bought the M10R for my travel photography and also bought 21mm Super Elmar, 35mm Summicron, and 50mm Summilux Leica lenses. And the Q2M. Previously I was using a Sony A7Riii and several prime lenses (25, 35, 55, 135) for my travel photography (leaving my clunky Nikon DSLR at home.) Last Fall I went to Italy and France and got wonderful results with the Leica system. But occasionally I missed having a longer lens, typically for people shots. For example, shooting older folks hanging out on balconies looking at the street below, people working in fields, etc. I am now looking ahead to a trip to Europe in May, much of it will be on an organized bike trip. The bikes generally have a box that can hold the cameras and a few lenses. My question is: Should I get the Leica 135mm 3.4 lens and just change lenses when I need the longer lens, or bring a second body (Sony) with my existing AF 135mm lens (2.8 Batis; it's a good lens.) I have done some test shooting with the Leica 135. Not easy to focus but I generally did OK. The Visoflex would help. Tradeoffs (other than cost) include: Sony is easier to focus and avoids hassle of changing lenses vs. Going with the Leica would take up less space and be lighter overall. I'd be interested in others' experience using the Leica 135mm for street/travel photography. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 15, 2022 Posted February 15, 2022 Hi PLW, Take a look here Buy 135 3.4 lens or carry second body for travel/street photography?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted February 15, 2022 Share #2 Posted February 15, 2022 If you bike with an M be sure to provide some padding to avoid vibrations and bouncing around. The RF perhaps requires more care than your Sony. But if you did this successfully on your prior trip, I guess you know the routine. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted February 15, 2022 Share #3 Posted February 15, 2022 Get the 135 rather than a 2nd camera. You'll know when you need it so shouldn't be frequently changing back and forth. There are plenty of older 135 lenses which do a fine job and can be quite inexpensive. I've used a 135 off and on since the first one I got in 1969 to shoot the Apollo 11 astronaut recovery. I rarely use a 135 these days, but I always keep one handy for special situations. I prefer the older ones as the head is removable for use with a Visoflex and/or on the bellows for macro work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted February 15, 2022 Share #4 Posted February 15, 2022 I took an old 135 Tele Elmar on safari and got great results. Best $500 I ever spent on Leica gear. https://tomniblick.photoshelter.com/portfolio/G00009EbeW3q7djQ 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ko.Fe. Posted February 15, 2022 Share #5 Posted February 15, 2022 IMHO, here is something odd in long tele shots of people on the streets and else. Kind of dishonest. Leica was always about been close to people, IMO. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 16, 2022 Share #6 Posted February 16, 2022 9 minutes ago, Ko.Fe. said: Leica was always about been close to people, IMO. Kertesz, one of the greatest (Leica) photographers... https://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/andr-kertsz-watching-from-above/ Jeff 2 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robb Posted February 16, 2022 Share #7 Posted February 16, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I will be adding a 135 M Apo in the near future. Perfect add for a Leica lighter weight, longer lens for travel. So it gets my vote. Robb Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 16, 2022 Share #8 Posted February 16, 2022 (edited) 17 hours ago, PLW said: ...Tradeoffs (other than cost...) About cost... I have both the current APO 135 (bought used, but from a well known Forum Member... 🙂) and the old Tele Elmar... well. at f stops in the middle range - normal for street - the difference is really minimal... and it costs much less, even factoring into a good CLA. I admit that (apart for the pleasure of having an APO 😁) the feature I appreciate most is the built in - retractable - efficient hood... the one for the TE135 isn't pleasant to carry. mount etc... Edited February 16, 2022 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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