"Bargain" M system lens at KEH

[thawkins]

I am looking for additional lens for my M3. I have a 50mm F2 DR Summicron but have the need for a 90 MM AND A 135 MM. Keh's information on the 135 F2.8 Elmarit (with goggles) state the goggled lens when used on the M3 increase the magnification by 1.4. But will the image still be in the 135 frameline? Can the goggles be removed from this lens? Has anyone used the 135mm F4 Elmar or the 90mm F4 Elmar? Are these lens coated? All replies and information is apprecited.

Tom

 

[erikhaugsby]

From what I know the goggled 135mm lenses magnify the 50mm (or maybe the 90mm...?) frameline, not the 135mm. They will work on all M bodies, including the M3, but it should be noted that the goggles introduce some minor distortion and loss of VF brightness.

The M-mount 135mm f/4 Elmar and 90mm f/4 Elmar lenses are coated.

Incidentally, I've got a 90mm f/2.8 Elmarit (first version) that I've been looking to sell. I'm a bit biased in saying it's a nice vintage performer, but Stephen Gandy had a nice write-up of it on CameraQuest. Send me a line if you want to see more pictures.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I am looking for additional lens for my M3. I have a 50mm F2 DR Summicron but have the need for a 90 MM AND A 135 MM. Keh's information on the 135 F2.8 Elmarit (with goggles) state the goggled lens when used on the M3 increase the magnification by 1.4. But will the image still be in the 135 frameline? Can the goggles be removed from this lens? Has anyone used the 135mm F4 Elmar or the 90mm F4 Elmar? Are these lens coated? All replies and information is apprecited.

Tom

The goggled 135mm Elmarit brings up the 90mm framelines on any Leica M camera - not just the M3 (the exception, of course, is the CL/CLE). The goggles enlarge and magnify these lines for the 135mm FOV.

Beware tough, regardless of the vintage, this lens weighs a ton.

The goggles cannot, nor are they designed to, be removed.

 

[Laforet]

I have had the googled 135/2.8 for a while. The googles magnify the 90mm so making it usable on a M2 or any 0.58x finder. However it does convert your finder into more or less of a peep hole with minimal peripheral vision, which may be more ideal than a tiny 135mm framline in a 0.72x finder but I know some people will think the contray. It is hefty compared to most M lenses, and with the despised series filter mount it is a real pain to find good filters for it.

I have bought BGN grade lenses from Keh, mostly manual Nikon lenses and they all turned out fine. I have not got any early M lens in BGN grade and refrained from doing so because of the concerns with haze, as BGN is classified as "maybe have scratches and haze that does not affect image quality" but again with Leica glass it could well be permanent. If you are really tempted and resides in the states, fell free to try it because they will offer you a refund with no question asked.

Do stay away from the UG stuff unless you are buying for parts or some trivial accessory, those will be bashed beyond the point of recognition.

 

[Richie]

I have bought many BGN graded Leica M and R lenses from KEH.com. I had to return only one. The rest were in very good condition.

 

[John Elder]

The goggled 135 works best on the M3, since the finder has a greater magnification of .91. As stated above this lens brings up th 90 frames which are relatively large on the M3. The 90 elmar is definetly coated if it is a chrome lens. If it is the earliar black lens, I am not sure. I have good examples of both of these lens and will give you a better price than KEH. My 135 was calibtated for focus by Dag within the last year.

 

[thawkins]

Thanks for everone's reply. I think I will go with the Elmars. I would prefer a faster lens but the prices are right.

Thawkins