tdxxas Posted January 29 Share #1 Posted January 29 Advertisement (gone after registration) I acquired a 2016 copy of this lens in what appears to be excellent condition, and I'm on the fence about keeping it. It performs well, but seems quite sensitive to veiling flare. It’s much more sensitive in this respect than my Zeiss Batis 135 (on Sony), or, for that matter, either of my Leica 90’s (current Macro Elmar and older Elmarit). In general, I rarely shoot toward the light, but even when there are light sources or even a bright areas of sky way off axis, I'm frequently getting image-killing flare. And here's an odd thing: the tendency toward flare increases as I stop down! Is this lens known for this problem? I’m wondering if a CLA is likely to improve it, in case, for example, there might be something amiss with an internal baffle or something like that. Since the lens was produced in 2016, it seems unlikely that there would be an improved version, since I believe 2018 was the last production run. It has been suggested that a supplementary lens hood might help, but from my experiments with a cardboard mockup, it doesn’t help much unless it’s long enough to vignette the corners. I tried using my hand, but found that typically didn't work. I wondered if the earlier, but still (apparently) excellent Elmar and Tele-Elmars might be less flare prone, but I gather they are if anything more so. I should mention I'm using this for suburban landscapes, typically but not always on a tripod, with an M11M + Visoflex 2. I’m not even trying to make it work with the rangefinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 29 Posted January 29 Hi tdxxas, Take a look here 135 Apo Telyt and veiling flare. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lct Posted January 29 Share #2 Posted January 29 Can happen when the sun is just outside the frame. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418925-135-apo-telyt-and-veiling-flare/?do=findComment&comment=5748415'>More sharing options...
adan Posted January 30 Share #3 Posted January 30 (edited) 1) I know about it, since one of my main gigs is using the 135 APO for performance photography, in an art gallery with about 100 high-intensity LED spotlights pointing in all directions!. 🤬 (lighting situation shown with 21mm lens - which also flares on occasion) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! (Nevertheless I keep on using it for its light weight, 6-bit coding and effective T/stop speed (21s-century coatings, thin elements).) The basic source of the flare is very little internal baffling of the 135's barrel, and light sources that are just outside the image area (as lct notes). Look at how the inside of the lens, behind the glass, is lit up! And note that the lens is NOT pointed at the lights themselves, but well below them. And the built-in hood is extended....but. Leica really could have done better. 🤪 Usually, since I know about it, I just keep checking my lighting angles as I pursue pictures. But sometimes I forget - or misjudge while in "hot pursuit"..... Then again, if I AM paying attention to my work, it is no issue. About 99 pictures out of 100 don't show any flare. As to the other 135s, the TELE-Elmar in its various iterations is generally less flare-prone - even the ones from c. 1964. Just has to do wth the internal construction and spacing. I used a TE for about 3 years in this same venue before getting the APO. But heavier, and noticably darker as to effective aperture and brightness. Edited January 30 by adan 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! (Nevertheless I keep on using it for its light weight, 6-bit coding and effective T/stop speed (21s-century coatings, thin elements).) The basic source of the flare is very little internal baffling of the 135's barrel, and light sources that are just outside the image area (as lct notes). Look at how the inside of the lens, behind the glass, is lit up! And note that the lens is NOT pointed at the lights themselves, but well below them. And the built-in hood is extended....but. Leica really could have done better. 🤪 Usually, since I know about it, I just keep checking my lighting angles as I pursue pictures. But sometimes I forget - or misjudge while in "hot pursuit"..... Then again, if I AM paying attention to my work, it is no issue. About 99 pictures out of 100 don't show any flare. As to the other 135s, the TELE-Elmar in its various iterations is generally less flare-prone - even the ones from c. 1964. Just has to do wth the internal construction and spacing. I used a TE for about 3 years in this same venue before getting the APO. But heavier, and noticably darker as to effective aperture and brightness. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418925-135-apo-telyt-and-veiling-flare/?do=findComment&comment=5748435'>More sharing options...
lct Posted January 30 Share #4 Posted January 30 +1 and no problem with the 135/3.4 when the sun is inside the frame. Now flare is not an issue in LV mode as usual. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418925-135-apo-telyt-and-veiling-flare/?do=findComment&comment=5748450'>More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted January 30 Share #5 Posted January 30 (edited) Yeah, it's common with the 135 APO. I shoot at horse shows sometimes where light comes in through slit windows around the top of the arena, and the first time I did I thought maybe the flare was the UV filter so I took it off (and then promptly scratched the front element putting it back in my bag). It wasn't the filter. It's just not a lens you can use with strong angled backlight (note the angled part, straight on is generally fine). It is a great lens otherwise.Sorry, I don't have a jpeg run off with the extreme flare as those were mostly unusable. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited January 30 by charlesphoto99 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418925-135-apo-telyt-and-veiling-flare/?do=findComment&comment=5748681'>More sharing options...
nykv Posted January 30 Share #6 Posted January 30 (edited) It defies the compact size of the lens, but custom made lens hoods for tele lenses can be very long before vignetting. I used a Canon 2/135 where the fifth no-name lens hood (identical to the Canon one) stuck into one another caused dark corners. With 4 lens hoods - no problem. Heliopan has tele screw-in lens hoods (= black anodised brass cylinders) also in 49mm. There are knockoffs on ebay, but they are not cylindrical + no female thread at the anterior end like the Heliopans, so they can't be stacked. You can try it first with a black carton cylinder. If obtaining these Heliopan articles where you are is too much of a hassle for you, the problem is upsetting enough for a thread here, but not stringent enough for a solution, imo. Edited January 30 by nykv 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted January 30 Share #7 Posted January 30 Advertisement (gone after registration) Here is an example with the M10M of the flare it produces, as well as how I would deal with it with some judicious brushes in Lightroom if I wanted to show the photo. Easier done with a Monochrom of course. The dehaze slider comes your best friend. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418925-135-apo-telyt-and-veiling-flare/?do=findComment&comment=5748933'>More sharing options...
MarkP Posted January 31 Share #8 Posted January 31 (edited) I bought a 3.4/135 APO-Telyt some years ago and and terrible problems with veiling flare, especially after a 6-bit flange was fitted - it had a steel inner . The flare does seem to be primarily due to internal light reflection within the barrel from and further in from the flange due to suboptial baffling as mentioned above. It was repainted with non-reflecting black paint and and a band of non-reflective black fabric/felt fitted. Done by Imaging by Design (Leica Ausralalia's authorised repairer). The lens now has minimal flare. Sorry for the poor quality iPhone pic but you can see the black fabric band just in from the end of the lens barrel/flange: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited January 31 by MarkP 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/418925-135-apo-telyt-and-veiling-flare/?do=findComment&comment=5749469'>More sharing options...
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