Experience and thoughts on the 135 Tele Elmarit

[kbg32]

Anyone have experience with the 135 f2.8 Tele Elmarit with eyes?

 

[Tom Diaz]

Anyone have experience with the 135 f2.8 Tele Elmarit with eyes?

Fine lens, and you can often find it for a very good price on ebay! Here's a picture taken with it:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=33733&cat=5950

Be advised that the eyes work only on genuine Leicas! The eyes do not match up with the rangefinder on my ZI or CV bodies. (I do not know about the forthcoming M8.)

I have used it in combination with the Leica motor (did on the above shot, in fact). However, that requires you to mount the lens first and then the motor. In short, you cannot change lenses in mid-roll if you use this combination!

The much newer (and superior) 135mm Apo-Telyt would avoid the limitations I mention here, but it is almost a stop slower and is much more expensive of course. I would miss the magnified RF image you get with the eyes. (If you consider this alternative you probably should also use either an auxiliary 135mm viewfinder or the Leica 1.25x eyepiece magnifier.)

The main thing that is really nice about the 135 is the eyes, though. For fast and accurate focusing and composing they are really nice! The extra weight of the lens is significant but does not bother me.

 

[Rafael]

Hi Keith,

I have the 135/2.8 Elmarit and I fully agree with Roland's assessment: nice lens but heavy. I have had some great results with the Elmarit but, on account of its weight, I now treat it essentially as a specialty lens. I take it out for specific applications. But I do not carry it as part of my regular kit. That said, it produces some really great results. And due to its relative unpopularity (on account of its weight I believe), the lens can be had for some very low prices.

 

[kbg32]

Thanks for your replies!

 

[Bobbo]

I have used it in combination with the Leica motor (did on the above shot, in fact). However, that requires you to mount the lens first and then the motor. In short, you cannot change lenses in mid-roll if you use this combination!

Sorry about a possible hijack Keith, but why can't you change lenses? That doesn't make any sense to me, but then again, I don't own one (was thinking of getting one on my way back from lunch today, though). Some pics might be helpful for understanding, or a link to some.

Thank you,
Bob

 

[Ken Ford]

I've been enjoying my 28-35-75 combination, but have been giving strong consideration to one of these 135s. I'd be set!

 

[jaapv]

Be advised that the eyes work only on genuine Leicas! The eyes do not match up with the rangefinder on my ZI or CV bodies. (I do not know about the forthcoming M8.)

The much newer (and superior) 135mm Apo-Telyt would avoid the limitations I mention here, but it is almost a stop slower and is much more expensive of course. I would miss the magnified RF image you get with the eyes. (If you consider this alternative you probably should also use either an auxiliary 135mm viewfinder or the Leica 1.25x eyepiece magnifier.)

As it matter of fact it is the only 135 that WILL work on the M8 and can be coded by Leica. Strangely enough they state explicitely that the magnificent 135 3.4 Apo, one of their signature lenses, will not work 😕 on the M8.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

As I said to you in PNet, Keith, the Elmarit is a good lens, and even better if you get one from the second version with 55mm filter size. Those who buy one should make sure the goggles are well lined up. I don't think it may cause focusing mistakes but then... who knows.

Good luck and have fun shopping! 🙂

 

[Tom Diaz]

As it matter of fact it is the only 135 that WILL work on the M8 and can be coded by Leica. Strangely enough they state explicitely that the magnificent 135 3.4 Apo, one of their signature lenses, will not work 😕 on the M8.

Fascinating. On closer inspection and recollection I think the Elmarit actually uses the 90mm frameline, which is then magnified by the eyes to be the equivalent of the 135mm frameline. And I also recall that the M8 is not going to have a 135mm frameline.

Maybe Mr. K will build a 135mm x 1.33 auxiliary viewfinder so the Apo-Telyt can be used. That is assuming there are lots of mutants out there who want to use such a long lens on a rangefinder.

 

[JimG]

As I said to you in PNet, Keith, the Elmarit is a good lens, and even better if you get one from the second version with 55mm filter size. Those who buy one should make sure the goggles are well lined up. I don't think it may cause focusing mistakes but then... who knows.

Good luck and have fun shopping! 🙂

I have the newest one, the 'eyes' and lens are one piece so that they will stay lined up for consistent focusing. I like this lens allot and I'm not bothered by the weight. (Using a fat Luigi neck strap is helpful.) Here's a photo. I payed $300 for it in mint condition, I don't know if that's a good price or not. Jim

 

[jaapv]

As I said to you in PNet, Keith, the Elmarit is a good lens, and even better if you get one from the second version with 55mm filter size. Those who buy one should make sure the goggles are well lined up. I don't think it may cause focusing mistakes but then... who knows.

Good luck and have fun shopping! 🙂

This is an interesting matter, Francisco. The versions are so mixed up, partly as the designs are identical to the R-version, but the times of introduction differ, that Erwin Puts gets it all wrong in his Leica lens compendium. There seems to be a third (early) version of the lens, built in Wetzlar, as well. Anyway, though your statement holds true for film bodies the better quality in the 2nd version is in the corners and to a lesser extent in the field. However, it came at a price and that was the lessening of contrast in the centre. That means that the first version may be the better one for the M8 and the second one for film bodies. But the differences are slight anyway. Btw, the filter size is not a reliable way to see the difference between the versions. Leica offered a conversion service for 54 mm lenses (still does as far as I know) and a considerable number of them has been converted to 55 mm. The only sure way is to look at the rear element which is flatter in the second version.