Images from Canon 135mm f/3.5 LTM

[bennyng]

Hi guys,

I actually got the black version of this lens quite a while ago, but never took it out as I usually prefer shorter focal lengths. Anyway, took my 135mm out today and tried it. Quite surprised with the results. Nothing special, just shots out of my balcony as the light was lovely.



This one is shot a f/8.0 on the Epson R-D1. Focusing was not a problem as this was shot at infinity. Perhaps I will do another set at minimum focusing distance when I have the chance. The results seems to be fairly sharp and the resolution is relatively high. Contrast is also high too. Not surprising as this is one of Canon's later offerings.

Click on the picture and you can actually see how many shirts are hung out on the balcony!

A few other test photos here.. Shot either at f/3.5 or at f/8.0.

Given the prices that they go for, I think it's quite good value. I wonder how the chrome version or the f/4 version differ from this one. Anyone has a comparison of the 3 types or experiences with the other two to share?

Cheers,

 

[charjohncarter]

Those look great, I have a 100mm Serenar that surprised me too. It is older, about 1950, but is sharp. I think you'll see that it isn't quit as high contrast as you think when you try it with film. At least that is what I found with mine.

 

[bennyng]

Those look great, I have a 100mm Serenar that surprised me too. It is older, about 1950, but is sharp. I think you'll see that it isn't quit as high contrast as you think when you try it with film. At least that is what I found with mine.

Thanks!

The 100 mm you are referring to would be the full chrome Serenar 100mm f/4? That looks interesting and I would love to have a go at it too. I like the black and chrome 100 mm f/3.5 very much too as I find it to be quite sharp with good contrast. Here are some images from it.

I do agree that with certain types of film, the contrast may drop a bit. So far, Fujicolor Superia seems to be pretty good for high contrast color shooting.

Cheers,

 

[Bill Snell]

The 135 is a good lens in either version. Heavy in the chrome version and as long as the rangefinder can handle. Couple of tests attached with pic of outfit. We should both use them more often!! No skyscrapers in this neck of the woods (bottom of New Zealand).

 

[raid]

Benny,
The photos look great.

I sold my black Canon 135mm/3.5 a few months ago. It was an excellent lens for me, but I rarely use 135mm anymore, and I still have a few other lenses in this focal length.

 

[Erik L]

The 135 is a good lens in either version. Heavy in the chrome version and as long as the rangefinder can handle. Couple of tests attached with pic of outfit. We should both use them more often!! No skyscrapers in this neck of the woods (bottom of New Zealand).

i agree, my chrome one is a pig. photos are good from it, i like the 100mm version's signature more (higher contrast)

 

[M like Leica M6]

The 3.5/135 is really a bargain for the quality. I have one, it's much better than average and munch underestimated.

 

[Brian Legge]

Shot more or less directly into extremely bright light; the sun is just out of the frame. Film resolution - with acros - and a shutter speed of 1/250 or so was more limiting than the lens itself from the looks of it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/6168421067

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/6168421219

I took this lens on a recent trip. The decision to take it was largely a whim; the idea that I may want to shoot a few photos beyond 50mm. A decent number of my favorites were shot with this lens in hindsight. I'm glad I picked it up! The results are constantly solid.

 

[Brian Legge]

On Tri X this time or it would be sharper. Not that I'm complaining.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/6174478054

 

[uhoh7]

last nite:

and a few nites earlier:

 

[goamules]

My daughter in college practically begged me for my Canon 135/3.5 so I sent it to her. After using several Leica, Fed, and other super long lenses, I started to realize none stood up to the Canon. So I bought another, mint with a leather case. Shooting it against a Leica 90mm Elmar this weekend, it's just so much sharper. I'm telling you, this is one of the best long lenses ever made.

On G1, then cropped.

 

[bennyng]

Revisiting an old thread..

Some great images here and I'm glad to see there are some 135mm users here.

Anyone else played with this lens recently?

Cheers,

 

[mdarnton]

I used to have one, and just bought another recently. It's a good neutral lens, as are most of the black/chrome aluminum mounted Canon lenses of the period.

Neither of mine focused right, which is a common problem with the 135. I think I just got it zeroed in this last week, but now we have to see if pictures confirm that.

I've probably shot three 135mm pictures in my life, but that length is cheap enough to own, just in case the need comes along.

 

[goamules]

I shoot mine often, for nature, sports, kids school performances, they're great. Very, very sharp. Mine have focused fine.

 

[bennyng]

I shoot mine often, for nature, sports, kids school performances, they're great. Very, very sharp. Mine have focused fine.

Garrett,

Your image above is really sharp! Comparable with a lot of the modern offering costing quite a fair bit more.

To be honest, I don't really have a focus problem with this lens and I do have a few copies to compare. Perhaps I've been lucky as they all worked as they should when I received them.

Cheers,

 

[peterm1]

I had both the chrome and the black/chrome versions but because of the chrome one's considerable weight it was not being used much and got sold. both are fantastic lenses. Only small gripes (1) because of the crop factor you need a 180mm finder - which is hard to locate and (2) the lens has a looooooong throw - so is slow to focus (but accurate). Apart from those minor quibbles these are fantastic lenses.

 

[krötenblender]

Long time no new pictures in this thread... I currently search for an affordable copy of this lens to get rid of my Elmarit-M (latest version) with goggles. Great lens but just too heavy. Especially together with the M240 it would probably attract some orbiting moons if thrown into space. It's just too much...

Now I like to see more pictures from the Canon. It seems to be a great lens, but not much used around here. No love for the Canon 135mm?

 

[goamules]

They are very good lenses, the sharpest in that focal length I've ever seen. Good for birds too:

 

[kuuan]

just have taken very few photos with it, and none yet with a FF camera but with the APS-C Ricoh GXR M. I liked the results very much, again reason why I have used it little is that I hardly use long lenses


Untitled by andreas, on Flickr


Wehranlage Greinsfurth by andreas, on Flickr

 

[uhoh7]

Those are excellent, Andreas 🙂

DDD and the mountain Elmar shooters like Krukenhauser appreciated the 135 on RF. But as all the long glass shooting was taken up by first SLR and then DSLR, 135 has become almost a lost art on the RF bodies. I see you are shooting it on the GXR, which is making the lens look very strong.

Looks like you were stopped down to f/8 or f/11 on the last, no? Love it.