M8 and 135 APO Telyt?

[Hacker]

Did a lot of browsing and did not come up with much info except that the 135mm needs careful framing as it does not bring up the 90 frameline. So my question:

I need a longer reach for some volunteer indoor events shots, and the options I have is to get another M8 and add the 135mm APO or a D3 with a 200 f2? No flash is allowed.

Does anyone have experience with longer FL for indoors using the M8 or my best bet is to bite the bullet and just get the D3? (I will only use the D3 occasionally, and I have lingering issues with Tennis Elbow).

Thoughts and comments are appreciated.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I would probably use the Nikon. But you have a few options with the M8 -

1. Use the 135 Apo and the frameline PV selector for guestimating with the 90mm framelines;
2. Buy a 135mm Elmarit-M with the eyes. This lens brings up the 90mm framelines and the bug-eyes magnify them to the 135mm perspective (180 equivalent on the M8). These lenses are very sharp, not hard to come by, and relatively inexpensive; or
3. Use a 90mm lens and crop.

 

[jaapv]

Bring up the 90 mm framelines with the 135 Apo (or 135 TE):
Very easy: Push the lens release button and rotate the lens against the stop. That will bring up the framelines for 90 mm. It WILL NOT affect focus and it CANNOT damage you camera or lens.

 

[Hacker]

3. Use a 90mm lens and crop.

I used the 90AA and the light was insufficient. Camera shake was evident in the photos. ISO was 320 and I guess I could have bumped it up a little to 640. With the 135 at f3.4, I guess I have very few options.

The other photographer who was covering the event had a Nikon D2x and a 50mm f1.4. I was very surprised the combo weighed lighter than the M8 with a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 🙁.

 

[amigadave]

The other photographer who was covering the event had a Nikon D2x and a 50mm f1.4. I was very surprised the combo weighed lighter than the M8 with a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 🙁.

By my calculations, an M8 and battery weigh ~591g, with a D2x and battery and Nikon 50mm 1.4 weigh ~1479g. Does a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 really weight 900g?! I always find my M8 seems a lot heavier than it really is, but if the Summilux 1.4 ASPH is about 335g then that still makes the Leica setup a good 500g lighter than the Nikon. I think the increased weight is just perception 😀

 

[hdrmd]

I suggest you use Jaap's method to bring up the framelines. I have used it with no problems. It takes a little practice, but you can get pretty good at guessing the framelines. The 135 3.4 APO is such a good lens, it is worth the trouble. Regards. DR

 

[Hacker]

By my calculations, an M8 and battery weigh ~591g, with a D2x and battery and Nikon 50mm 1.4 weigh ~1479g. Does a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 really weight 900g?! I always find my M8 seems a lot heavier than it really is, but if the Summilux 1.4 ASPH is about 335g then that still makes the Leica setup a good 500g lighter than the Nikon. I think the increased weight is just perception 😀

You are right, and the lens attached to my M8 was the 90AA. Perhaps it was the way it was held because of the larger area.

 

[jaapv]

I can't say I find photographing fast-moving stuff very hard with a rangefinder...( sorry, I'm not into sports that much..) Actually, lack of shutter lag makes it quite a lot easier.

135/4.0 TE

Summilux 75:

 

[Hacker]

For outdoors, no issue. BTW, nice shots.