- Telyt 180 APO 3.4 vs Elmarit 180 2.8 (non-apo)

[a.noctilux]

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Tony,

If you don't mind more weight (though gaining aperture), think of buying cheap in Leica world,

2.8/135 or as here we are talking about one of the best IQ for money Apo-Telyt-R 3.4/180.

[davidmknoble]

Since we are talking 180’s, and we all know the APO R 180mm f/2.8 is incredibly sharp (but also more expensive), another alternative is the R 80-200 f/4. Zoom. The 100-130 range is the sharpest, and not as sharp as the 180 f/3.4 at infinity, but a very strong and versatile lens at a reasonable cost.  I use this a lot on the Sl2-S when traveling.

[Tpau17]

I use the 180 / 3.4 with my SL601 and it's a create lense, very sharp and the colors really good! Here is an interesting article about the 180erAPO:

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

it's in Italian, but with google-translate it's quick converted 😉 

 

 

[bherman01545]

On 4/2/2022 at 9:35 AM, Jox said:

Hello,
I am interested in the 180 R and more precisely in 2 versions:
- Telyt 180 APO 3.4
- Elmarit 180 2.8 (non-apo)
For frequent use with a doubler, which model would make it possible to obtain the best renderings and the finest details with an M10?
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.
best regards,

The APO Telyt-R 180mm F/3.4 was originally developed at the Leitz, Midland, Ontario plant in Canada in the early 1970's for the US Navy whose requirement was for a small format, high resolution camera system based on the Leicaflex SL for reconnaissance missions. This is a Dr. Walter Mandler designed lens and was Leica's first APO lens and is still considered, (even by today's standards) an exotic piece of glass and a great lens, especially at distances. 

By the way, Ernst Leitz Canada LTD was the center for Leica lens development for several decades, so whether the lens is made in Canada, Portugal or Germany, you can be assured of superb Leica quality.

[Henkr]

Any differences in the APO 180 3.4 between the early and the late E60 versions?

[wizard]

Am 19.12.2022 um 03:05 schrieb Henkr:

Any differences in the APO 180 3.4 between the early and the late E60 versions?

No, the optics were unchanged throughout the entire production period.

[rsolomon]

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On 12/18/2022 at 9:05 PM, Henkr said:

Any differences in the APO 180 3.4 between the early and the late E60 versions?

Hi,

How can I tell what size filter for my (new to me) 180 3.4 APO takes .... Serial number is 29470xx

BTW if earlier version do I need a retaining ring ? 

[a.noctilux]

On 4/14/2023 at 3:04 AM, rsolomon said:

Hi,

How can I tell what size filter for my (new to me) 180 3.4 APO takes .... Serial number is 29470xx

BTW if earlier version do I need a retaining ring ? 

A bit late, from my Pocket Book, the E60 filter size from serial num. 2947024 up, so you can see by yourself, just look at the "...xx" of yours.

Before that the filter size is odd Serie 7.5 retaining ring required, but many can have been modified to E60.

[a.noctilux]

Found some images with 3.4/180 mounted on M8 !

(2009 files converted to b&w + boost contrast a bit)

 

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[a.noctilux]

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commercial flight over Spain

Edited July 28, 2024 by a.noctilux

[Tirpitz666]

Just ordered a 3cam Elmarit 180 2.8, since I'm planning to use it mainly for portraiture, thought that it's supposedly "gentler" rendering and softer bokeh would be more important to me than pinsharp acutance at infinity (curious anyway to see how "bad" the Elmarit is in that regard, especially stopped down one/two stops).

[algrove]

OP you might better acquaint yourself with R lenses before buying one. Such as , be careful about which lenses can use a 1.4x and a 2.0 x. 

Leica APO lenses are truly APO lenses so I would generally suggest getting an APO lens. However, taking a 3.4 lens and upping it by 2 f stops can be tedious. I have owned just about every R lens known and if you want long reach on an M try a Mamiya 645  300mm f5.6 lens with adapter which can rival an M 135mm APO lens since it uses only the center part of the optic which is the best part of any optic generally.

[Tirpitz666]

I have that Mamiya tele lens which I use with my ZD and is indeed pretty sharp.