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Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:49 am    Post subject: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

Does anyone know what it's like?

Click here to see on Ebay


This one works
Click here to see on Ebay

Wrongly linked.. fixed by Attila

And .. any advice on Canon EOS adapter for this lens.

cheers
Ed


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The item has disappeared,

In any case, for everyone interested in Leica lenses, remember this basic difference, that Leica lenses for reflex cameras always have the -R in the name, while other lenses for rangefinder, either have nothing, or they have an -M

example:

Summicron-R 50 = reflex lens

Summicron 50 = rangefinder lens

Summicron-M 50 = rangefinder lens
-


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Orio.

It's no use if it's for rangefinder... Sad but it looks so good.

BTW, the item is still there... but it does not link Confused

eBay Item No 150238233247


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah OK it's because of the way you set up the link
When using the Ebay tag you need to put the item number not the URL

Yes it's a rangefinder lens, what you see in the bottom is the typical M mount.
THis lens was made for one of the early M cameras, the M1 M2 and M3 cameras were all silver - they turned black from M4 on.
-


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's for a rangefinder.
Can you see the small "curve" in the mount? That indicates M-mount.
BTW, I don't think there was an 135mm Elmar lens for SLRs (just some Macro- or long Tele-Elmars).

EDIT: Oh, Orio, you were a little faster... Wink


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Last week at the fair, I had a M3 in my hands. Man, what a machine. All heavy metal. It was small but weighted a ton. You could feel the weight of the indestructible mechanism.
I put int back on the shelf crying Crying or Very sad Wink


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Orio wrote:
I put int back on the shelf crying Crying or Very sad Wink


Orio, I can absolutely understand your feelings!

A good friend of mine has got one. I was able to shoot some pics with it - fantastic!

This is his M3 and my miniature Minox copy:


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Orio wrote:
you need to put the item number not the URL

Thank you, Orio.

Orio wrote:
I put int back on the shelf crying Crying or Very sad Wink

Curiousity led me search Leica M3 ...
Holly mackerel ! Shocked Shocked Shocked
Have you seen the BLACK M3 ?????

Click here to see on Ebay

and... 29 bids Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

esrods wrote:

Curiousity led me search Leica M3 ...
Holly mackerel ! Shocked Shocked Shocked
Have you seen the BLACK M3 ?????
Click here to see on Ebay
and... 29 bids Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked


Yeah, the black ones are rare and so idiot people spend those sums.
But silver M3s are more beautiful, and they cost a lot less. There were several at the fair, one asked for it 1300 Euros, another seller "only" 800 Euros.
Still high prices, but reasonable, and the camera is worth it.
10000 USD only because the colour is black, is total idiocy, and a bit immoral also. I really dislike this aspect of the Leica collectionism.
I would love a M3, but to take pictures with it, not because black one is rare.
-


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:50 am    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

esrods wrote:
Does anyone know what it's like?

Click here to see on Ebay

And .. any advice on Canon EOS adapter for this lens.


Ed, this lens is perfectly usable on a digital SLR. It is one of the classic Leitz lenses that has a detachable optical block. The whole optical unit can be unscrewed from the focusing helicoid in order to be used on a Visoflex attachment (reflex viewing system for the Leica cameras). There are adapters allowing to use these lenses on digital SLRs (for example, those).

Here's an old thread with some pictures taken with this lens on my Pentax K10D:
http://forum.mflenses.com/135-4-leitz-elmar-on-pentax-k10d-t5142,highlight,leica+135.html

Cheers!

Abbazz


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a few film cameras such as Prakticas and Pentax Spotmatic to try 'film' photography but I paid less then US$10 each.
Paying even a few hundred dollars on 'film' camera is beyond my comprehension. Maybe I don't know the art of film photos.
I stay with digital.


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

Abbazz wrote:
esrods wrote:
Does anyone know what it's like?

Click here to see on Ebay

And .. any advice on Canon EOS adapter for this lens.


Ed, this lens is perfectly usable on a digital SLR. It is one of the classic Leitz lenses that has a detachable optical block. The whole optical unit can be unscrewed from the focusing helicoid in order to be used on a Visoflex attachment (reflex viewing system for the Leica cameras). There are adapters allowing to use these lenses on digital SLRs (for example, those).

Here's an old thread with some pictures taken with this lens on my Pentax K10D:
http://forum.mflenses.com/135-4-leitz-elmar-on-pentax-k10d-t5142,highlight,leica+135.html

Cheers!

Abbazz


Abbazz, I just read your previous thread (and heard Orio's jaw dropping sound) and the link about the adapter. Fascinating stuff and good performing lens. But I don't know if I can do that sort of modification - sounded too complicate Crying or Very sad

I will watch the lens and see ...


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Keep an eye on it. The M 135 can be one of the less expensive Leica m lenses from auctions I have watched. It is the longest FL for the M rangefinder system if I have it right. Some (including me) find these longer lenses difficult to focus on a rangefinder. My camera does not have a long enough baseline to be effective. I suspect others have the same issue. So maybe there is lesser demand for the 135 and that is why the price is lower at times.


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

esrods wrote:
Fascinating stuff and good performing lens. But I don't know if I can do that sort of modification - sounded too complicate Crying or Very sad

I will watch the lens and see ...


Ed, if you have a Canon DSLR, you don't have to make any modification. Just buy one of the Cameraquest adapters (see the link in my previous post) and you're set.

I must add that the Elmar 135/4 is a great lens and one of the cheapest Leica lenses in M mount. Usually, good samples go for less than $100.

Cheers!

Abbazz


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

Abbazz wrote:
esrods wrote:
Fascinating stuff and good performing lens. But I don't know if I can do that sort of modification - sounded too complicate Crying or Very sad

I will watch the lens and see ...


Ed, if you have a Canon DSLR, you don't have to make any modification. Just buy one of the Cameraquest adapters (see the link in my previous post) and you're set.



How is that possible? It has been constructed for the rangefinder register distance.


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

F16SUNSHINE wrote:
Keep an eye on it. The M 135 can be one of the less expensive Leica m lenses from auctions I have watched. It is the longest FL for the M rangefinder system if I have it right. Some (including me) find these longer lenses difficult to focus on a rangefinder. My camera does not have a long enough baseline to be effective. I suspect others have the same issue. So maybe there is lesser demand for the 135 and that is why the price is lower at times.


Thank you, Sunshine. It looks so good, too.
I am so much in love with silver lenses. They are so sexy Cool

Abbazz wrote:

I must add that the Elmar 135/4 is a great lens and one of the cheapest Leica lenses in M mount. Usually, good samples go for less than $100.


Thanks Abbazz.
Starting price is almost $100. But, looking at your photos, it maybe worth the money. I will watch closely.


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

LucisPictor wrote:
How is that possible? It has been constructed for the rangefinder register distance.


This lens comprises two parts: a long focusing helicoid with a male Leica M bayonet at one end and a female Leica 39mm thread at the other end. When you unscrew the helicoid, the lens becomes much shorter, so that it's able to accommodate the Visoflex attachment, which has a very long registration distance. Therefore, the optical unit without its helicoid is like a "short mount" Leica thread mount lens with a 68.8mm registration distance, making it quite easy to mount on any kind of DSLR (you just have to provide some means for focusing, like a bellows or a Leica focusing mount).

Cheers!

Abbazz


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

esrods wrote:
Thanks Abbazz.
Starting price is almost $100. But, looking at your photos, it maybe worth the money. I will watch closely.


You're welcome.

There's one Elmar 135/4 for sale on Keh.com in "bargain" condition for $99 and another one (same condition) which is described as "engraved" (must have some number engraved on the barrel) for $86. Keh is very conservative in its grading of used gear: lenses in "bargain" condition are guaranteed to be functionally in good working order and to have no serious optical or mechanical defect, only the usual scuffs on the barrel. Many "bargain" condition items sold by Keh would be rated as "mint" on eBay.

Cheers!

Abbazz


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:03 pm    Post subject: Re: Leica Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135mm Reply with quote

Abbazz wrote:
LucisPictor wrote:
How is that possible? It has been constructed for the rangefinder register distance.


This lens comprises two parts: a long focusing helicoid with a male Leica M bayonet at one end and a female Leica 39mm thread at the other end. When you unscrew the helicoid, the lens becomes much shorter, so that it's able to accommodate the Visoflex attachment, which has a very long registration distance. Therefore, the optical unit without its helicoid is like a "short mount" Leica thread mount lens with a 68.8mm registration distance, making it quite easy to mount on any kind of DSLR (you just have to provide some means for focusing, like a bellows or a Leica focusing mount).

Cheers!

Abbazz


Ah, I see! Thanks very much!