Elmar 135

[egibaud]

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Hi,

 

I got the possibility to get an Elmar 135/4 + external finder. It is like new, I do not know which year yet, it has the removable hood not the colapsable.

 

The price is 350 Euros with finder. What do you think?

 

I would use it on my M8 for doing some portrait probably. I read about changing mount for 90mm and coding it too for the exif. Is this also possible for the 135/4 or just for the Elmarit.

 

I attach picture from seller.

 

Thanks for answering asap.

 

Eric

[marknorton]

Seems a reasonable price and good cosmetic condition, but what is that inside the lens? Oil/grease or corrosion? It could probably benefit from a CLA and you need to factor that into the cost.

[lars_bergquist]

You would buy a super lens. Optical performance is remarkable. It is practically as good wide open as stopped down. If the condition I can see in the pictures also apply to the mechanical functioning (focusing helical, aperture mechanism) and there is no fungus or other problem, then I would say that this would be a good buy.

—This said, there are some practical notes. Given the finder magnification of the M8, you will have to focus with great care, and a finder magnifier is a good idea, though not absolutely required. The external finder is of course no use on the M8, because the 135 on this camera has a field equivalent to 180mm on film. Some people just focus, and estimate the actual field. This can be done, approximately, with a bit of experience, and this is also what you would have to do if you decided to modify the lens with a 90mm bayonet. Here, the lens will take in less that what the frame says, but the frame will still be a kind of support, of course. The decision is yours. There is of course always the possibility that Leica will in the future (but certainly not in the close future!) come up with a digital full frame M. If you buy, I would advise you to get acquainted with the lens before you decide on the modification.

—You can email me at lbq@telia.com telling me the serial number, and I can tell you the age of the lens.

 

The old man from the Age of Flashpowder

[zeitz]

Also this lens is a Tele-Elmar, not an Elmar. The Tele-Elmar is a better lens.

[lars_bergquist]

Right. The 1:4 Elmar 135mm (not to be confused with the early 1930's 1:4.5 Elmar) was a long-focus lens, not a proper tele design, hence a little longer, but also quite a bit lighter, than the Tele-Elmar. It was not quite up to the remarkable performance of the Tele-Elmar, but it was still a very competent 135mm lens. It was available only 1960–64.

 

The old man from the Age of Flashpowder

[luigi bertolotti]

Eric, at 350 Euros, supposed glass is clean, is absolutely to buy : the Tele Elmar 135 (not Elmar, that is a previous and different lens) is one of the best oldies one can get for using on M8 ! IMHO, better than the Tele Elmarit 2,8 which is much less portable owing to the goggles. Of course, the VF is an add on that is not so useful : with M8 I prefer not to mount it, and guess the framing following the rule that it is a little more wider than the RF window: simple, and if you make the 90 frame to appear (there is a trick to do so, turning the lens a bit further the normal "click" on the mount) you get quickly accustomed to estimate very well the framing. And it's a SPLENDID lens for portait and other purposes; and the depicted lens has another value: it's of the version you can dismount the lens unit and use it on the Visoflex : having such a lens, it's a pity not to have a Viso, for it's one of the best Macro set you can enjoy on M8: you need (besides the Visoflex III, or even the II, but with the vertical viewer only) the focusing mount 16464 and the extending tubes 16471 and/or 16472 (can combine them for strong macro) : it can seem complicated, but these are components not difficult to find and of excellent mechanical quality. And I'd suggest you not to code it : Leica doesn't do the job, you had to go elsewhere... unless you like to do it yourself, spare the money and buy a Viso...

Here is an example of Macro with the above set TE135 head on Viso.. of course, tripod is mandatory...

 

[ATTACH]57612[/ATTACH]

 

And the described set (picture taken with phone...)

 

[ATTACH]57614[/ATTACH]

[Artichoke]

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which looks a newer version than mine (no scale on my barrel) and in fine condition

if the glass looks good, I would grab this in a heart beat

the lens is optically outstanding & superb for close in photography when coupled with a Viso and bellows, which is how I shoot mine ...yours looks like it is coming with a viewfinder as well as a case ...quite a bargain, I'd say, though I never use mine without the Viso

here is an example of this combination in action

 

[ATTACH]57620[/ATTACH]

 

a larger version can be found here dragonfly ndl 02 photo - Artichoke Vinagrette photos at pbase.com & is at full resolution and should be seen to appreciate the quality of this little lens ...the file is 2.25 MB in size, so beware

in the same gallery and in my florals I have many other examples from this fine lens

[egibaud]

Thank you all for help and advice.

 

I've bought it, I shall get it in about a week time.

 

:-)

 

Eric

[luigi bertolotti]

Thank you all for help and advice.

 

I've bought it, I shall get it in about a week time.

 

:-)

 

Eric

 

Well done Eric !!! enjoy it and don't forget the E39 UVIR and above all the Viso... ... prices are a little in upside for the Viso III (300-350 Euros with prism), thanks to all the posters in this forum that have discovered how it works fine with M8 (I have the long Telyts too... and a 280 or 400 or 560 in not so costly...)

[egibaud]

Thank you all for help and advice.

 

I've bought it, I shall get it in about a week time.

 

:-)

 

Eric