In praise of the 135 Tele-Elmar

[Dralowid]

Never hear much about the Tele Elmar these days and prices would suggest it is not loved by the cognoscenti...

However, I have just come back from a trip having taken only an Elmar M and the Tele Elmar with me.

All I can say is that I wish I had made more use of it in the past, it's a great bit of kit and the results are quite simply superb!

Has anyone found it useable on an M8?

Michael

 

[Vickko]

Yes, I use it on my M8, for my son's soccer games. Once in a while, I'll chop off my subject's head, but so far, so good.

 

[Innerimager]

It's a superb lens and probably the best value in the Leica line up imo....Peter

 

[tajart]

135 tele-elmar

135 tele-elmar

yes, it is an amazing lens. superb wide open.

 

[ferider]

A great lens and very nice to use on an M3. 50/135 is a classic combo, too 🙂

But the modern stereotype dictates that RFs and Teles don't go together :bang: Very wrong, IMO.

 

[JNewell]

It's a superb lens and probably the best value in the Leica line up imo....Peter

All that and, IMO, one of the easier lenses to use. Nice big focusing ring (in all variants), aperture easily found and set, great lens hood and lens hood storage, not too heavy...nothing not to like.

 

[waileong]

It's a great lens which I don't use enough of. Extremely sharp.

 

[kbg32]

I much prefer the Elmarit. Great lens.

 

[Sjixxxy]

I only have the non-tele 135mm Elmer. Either way, I find it fun as hell to use, and find the results to be very nice.

Plus I think it looks funny.

 

[jbh]

Don't do this! GAS attack! <g>

 

[JNewell]

I much prefer the Elmarit. Great lens.

It's a trade-off. I've owned both and I really liked focusing and composing with the goggles on the Elmarit. Bigger image, faster and more precise focusing. The images from the Tele-Elmar were IMO distinguished by a sort of "pop" that is hard to describe. More contrast and better color, to my eye. There is also the maximum aperture issue. F/4 doesn't seem slow by today's AF zoom standards but it does still seem slow in M-land.

 

[Dralowid]

Quote:
''The images from the Tele-Elmar were IMO distinguished by a sort of "pop" that is hard to describe. ''

Better put than I could. And unlike the Elmarit it is at least portable without the aid of a wheelbarrow.

If I can be bothered I use the magnifier with 50, 90 and 135 (I have .72) but can live happily without it.

Michael

 

[Dektol Dan]

The Elmar 135 is one of the best ever. It makes the Elmar 90 images look ever so bad. If I were really excited about comparison I could dig up side by sides I shot in Monterey a couple of years ago. I don't don't think my Elmarit 90 even comes close in making as beautiful images. It's a must have if you can live with long and heavy.