My First Leica Lens! Elmarit R 135/2.8

[Kram]

She's had a rough life but her glass is good! Paid $100.

Can anyone clue me into the particulars of this lens?

Adapter will arrive next week and I'll post some samples.

[Attila]

very good lens, most 135mm is very good in fact from top maker even better.

Not expensive lens even if looks new. Orio have it , these are his pictures.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/mfl_club_members/orio/leica_r_elmarit_135mm_f2_8/

[duckrider]

[ForenSeil]

I had it
It's IQ is about in par or a little better with the famous Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135/2.8 for C/Y (I had both at the same time), the Leitz has slightly better colors, better build and smoother bokeh but in center sharpness the Zeiss is a tad better (but difference is almost neglitable). Optically I prefered the Leitz mostly due the better bokeh and better colors, but I decided to keep the Zeiss for some time as it's lighter to travel (the Leitz is build like a tank but weights a ton) with and reselling profit was lower.

Once I read an old 135mm test ranking made by Colorfoto from January 1978, the 135/2.8 Sonnar T* was third place, Elmarit-R 135/2.8 first place and Minolta MD Tele Rokkor 135/2.8 (4 element version) between them, all three very close, and two Nikkors, an Canon FD, a Soligor, a Tokina and a Vivitar (last place I think) all quite far behind if I remember correctly.

So it's definately one of the best non-ultra-expensive 135mm you can get!
But as as Attila said, bad 135mm F2.8 and F3.5 are hard to find, for example there are Konicas, Yashicas, etc. which deliver at least similar high level of IQ, but selling sometimes for 10 bucks

I sold mine for 220€ a while ago so you can consider 100 bucks as quite a good price imho, not ultra-bargain and I don't know current price in your country but you can resell with a little profit if you don't like it I guess.

[timo832000]

I have this lens too. There are two versions, version II is considered to be better wide open, refering to erwin Puts there are no differences stoppped down to F 5.6.
Mine is the older version, delivered with the Leica Flex SL. As duckrider mentioned yours is also the older one. Compared to other 135mm lenses it is a bit on the heavy side but its IQ is surpreme.
I would say it is sharp enough wide open, stopped down a bit it gets razor sharp. It delivers beautyful colors and a very smooth Bokeh.

Timo

[Kram]

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone!

You made me even more excited awaiting the adapter. It arrived! I shot a quickie test shot which I'll add soon.
It does seem a bit heavy but not unmanageable.

The MFD is 1.5 meters. Can anyone give me advice on getting an inexpensive extension tube or two? Not sure if they are readily available?

ForenSeil, it makes me very happy that you prefer this lens over the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135/2.8 for C/Y as I was contemplating it as well.
The Colorfoto test confirming makes it even better.

Atilla, thanks for sharing Orio's good works.


Quick sample, wide open on a Canon 60D:

[calvin83]

Mark. The cheapest is EOS tube Click here to see on Ebay. Not the best but should works fine.

[Yahvel]

Can this lens fit on my Canon 60D with a proper adapter ?

[mo]

Congrats Mark,I can only assume you will want more Leica lenses now.

[Kram]

[iangreenhalgh1]

I had one of these for a while, nice lens, a bit ugly and utilitarian looking. I felt it was no better than my Topcon RE Auto Topcor 3.5/135 or Konica hexanon 3.2/135 so I let it go for a nice profit. You might like it more than I did, maybe my copy was not so hot.