135mm lens on M8 camera

[DWatts]

Has anyone out there any experience of using any of the 135 lens on an M8 camera. What were the good and bad points.
Thank you,
David Watts.
Cornwall.
U.K.

[Roger Hicks]

Dear David,

After borrowing a 135/2.8 to try on the M8 I bought it: the reasons why (and one picture) are here: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/m8.html. It would take too long to point to all the other pics on the site where I've used it because I don't classify my pics according to equipment used, but it is brilliant.

I wouldn't bother with any of the others if I were you. The great thing about the 135/2.8 is that it has a magnified image, which (a) makes focusing more accurate and (b) calls up the 90mm frame: the M8 doesn't have a 135 frame. of course.

Cheers,

Roger

[pstevenin]

BTW, if you are interested, I am enclined to sell mine bought here at RFF. It works perfectly as described by Roger but 180 eqv. is just too long for my taste. I used to use it on the M6 I already sold. Film is only MF or the Small Olympus Mju II.

Please let me know. I will perhaps put an ad for it, but I am not in a hurry.

[noimmunity]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

I wouldn't bother with any of the others if I were you. The great thing about the 135/2.8 is that it has a magnified image, which (a) makes focusing more accurate and (b) calls up the 90mm frame: the M8 doesn't have a 135 frame. of course.

I've just started trying out the Tele Elmar 135/4 with E46 filter, the last version before the Apo-Telyt. Because of the smaller aperture, focusing isn't a problem on the M8. Composing is helped by chimping. The TE works fine and produces amazing images in color. The big plus for me is that the 46mm filter allows me to share those pesky UV/IR filters from my other main lenses. I also really like the ergonomics of the late TE better than earlier versions (the focus and aperture rings are adjacent and there is a built in hood). Neither of these versions are very expensive (and optically they are said to be the same, albeit with possible coating changes), so you could easily try it out...

[Ben Z]

I had a 135 Tele-Elmarit some years back, it was good optically but had some issues, including the googles were finnicky and needed adjustment twice. Mainly I like the M system for its compactness and the 135 Elmarit ran counter to that.

I do use a 135 on my M8 though, it's a Tele-Elmar of the first variety with 39mm filter and separate shade. I tried framing a few different ways, including over-rotating the lens past the lock so the 90 frames come into play, and an aftermarket zoom finder with 180mm on it. I happen to have an old Canon shoe-type 135 finder which has a very short eye relief, and when it butts up to my glasses, what is visible just happens to be almost exactly the right 180mm framing at infinity. Another nice thing about that particular model Tele-Elmar is the lens head unscrews and can be used on a Visoflex in conjunction with a short focusing mount. I've even mounted that to a 14167 Viso-to-R adapter, and that to an R-to-EOS adapter and used the Tele-Elmar successfully on Canon DSLR. Cool lens.

BTW I was watching "Without A Trace" on TV last night, and one of the FBI guys was doing surveillance photos from his car with an M8.2 and the 135 Tele-Elmarit. I wonder if that's standard FBI issue

[bobdubois]

I recently acquired a 135/2,8 Elmarit version 1. I haven't used it much, but here's a recent shot:
http://www.bobdubois.net/Photography...Week%2005.html There's lots of info about the various versions on line. Just Google away. Besause of the small image, it is a bit difficult to focus, so I bought a 1.4X viewfinder magnifier. It arrived today, so I haven't had a chance to actually use it shooting. I prefer the goggles to an external viewfinder so I think it's the best option on the M8.
Regards
Bob

[jaapv]

The pecking order of quality: Apo 3.4 - Tele-Elmar 4.0 - Tele-Elmarit 2.8 last version - Hektor 4.0 - Tele-Elmarit 2.8 first version. The ideal combo on the M8 in terms of usability/quality/ price is imo the 4.0

[DWatts]

Jaap.
Iam having trouble finding a 135/4 with 46mm filter dia in the U.K. .
Is there one in your local Holland shop?
David Watts

[jaapv]

You mean the last "Apo-look"type? Why bother. The 39 mm version is identical optically and less expensive.

Later edit: I had a look around. Not a single one to be found...

[DWatts]

Hullo Jaap,
Just thought that the 46 version looks neater with the built in lens hood. Thank you for looking around.
I will keep on Googling.
David

[DWatts]

Roger.
Thak you for your input and I understand what you say. However the 2.8 is far too clumbsy for me so I will still keep looking for a TE 135/46mm filter.
David

[D&A]

Yes, I agree....the 135mm f4 Tele-Elmar for me is the best compromise of all the 135mm lenses on the Leica M8, all things considered..as Jaap said. I too have the 46mm version and like the look and feel of it, including the built in hood and ergonomics. It's performance is near APO quality and at f4 (wide open), it's close to max. resolution. Some but not much to gain by stopping down.

D&A