135mm f2.8 on M8

[Eric T]

I am travelling to Hawaii soon with an M8 (to be purchased soon) and an assortment of old screw mount Leica lenses (35mm f3.5, 90mm f4.0, and 135mm f4.5) and new Voigtlander lenses (35mm f1.7 and 50mm f1.5). I have just purchased a 135mm f2.8 Leica lens (with "eyes") for more speed on the telephoto.
Do any of you have experience with the 135mm f2.8 on an M8? This should give me the equivalent of a 175mm lens given the crop factor of the Kodak sensor, but I wonder what the viewfinder will show me?
Thanks.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

The viewfinder will show you the 90mm framelines to be used with the goggles (that's the design of this lens), so this is not a problem with the M8.

The problem, however, is that it doesn't perfectly line up with the rangefinder focusing window (if you're confused by this statement, I apologize), and it blocks the "blue dot" which is actually the White Balance assist sensor.

So, you can use it. Whether you find that it's not worth the disclaimers on the M8 is up to you.

I'm sure this is going to confuse a lot of people. But I say you really can't make that call until you try it yourself. It is not "perfect" on the M8, but it can be used on it, and the framelines isn't the issue.

 

[Eric T]

White balance sensor

White balance sensor

Gabriel,
So what are the effects of blocking the white balance sensor? That sounds as though it could cause significant tinting problems. But can they just be fixed in post-processing?
Eric

 

[kbg32]

The 135 Elmarit works fine on the M8. I love it's sharpness and contrast. It's a superb lens though heavy. Here's an example.

 

[zeitz]

I, too, have used this lens extensively. It works fine. The second version can be 6-bit encoded. The first version cannot as I found after sending the lens to Leica USA and having it returned. (The lens list of encodable lenses is wrong.) The code only matters when flash is used because the "eyes" block the flash sensor, so the camera calculates flash differently for the 135 2.8.

 

[jaapv]

The first version can be encoded as well, not that that is needed for long lenses, I would never go to the expense for a 135. This is a lens I bought and sold three times now over the last thirty years, the last time a few months ago on the M8. I dislike the cramped viewfinder window (it extends only slightly beyond the 90 mm frame), I am not quite happy with the contrast,although it is sharp enough at 5.6 or 8.0, and it is too much of a brick in the camera case. I have the 4.0 now and find it far superior. I bring up the 90 mm lines on the M8 by pressing the lens release button and rotating it a fraction more, and that is fine for framing. The optical quality has been described as "near-apo". That is true. I will take it any time over the 2.8.

 

[zeitz]

Jaap,

I'ld sure like to know if you have another source of information on encoding the first series lens. I talked to Leica USA repair department on the phone, after sending them my lens. They confirmed the first serial number that could be done. (I wish I had written it down.) It was about 1968, not 1963, as in the listing. I had a free encoding certificate for the lens, so it wouldn't have cost me anything. B+W can supply the series 7 486 filter. If the conversions are being done in Europe on the first series lenses, I guess I have about two weeks left to use the certificate.

 

[jaapv]

I had I first series lens (sold now, but an early number), sent it to Solms last summer and got it back coded. However, any competent workshop should be able to make the indentations for you. But why go to the expense? The only thing it does is bring up the focal length in EXIF....

 

[boilerdoc2]

I can't seem to locate a Series VII 486 IR filter for this lens. B&H no help. Popflash - none. Anyone know of a source in the US? Thanks

 

[jaapv]

Not in the US. But Foto Huppert will send you one.

 

[zeitz]

Jaap,

What do you think changed between last summer and last month? Perhaps they ran out of parts and don't want to make any more. Perhaps Solms has parts they don't send to the US. There would be no expense for the conversion because I have two free conversion certificates that I have no other use for.

I think I'll contact Leica service in Solms.

 

[jaapv]

I think they did understimate the demand and are generally understaffed. When backlogs start they have a habit of increasing exponentially.

 

[terrycioni]

Hi,

Shooting with the 135 F2.8 with goggles works amazingly well on the M8 with a little metal modification you can compensate for the crop factor with a bit of practise. These are from my first outting with it....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/streetfusion/sets/72157594479726960/

Cheers. Terry.