I'm planning to buy a used Elmarit-R 135/2.8 lens (2- or 3-cam), can anyone tell me what's the difference in optical characteristics between the first and second design of this lens? Thanks.

-- Mark Chan (mcyc@mail.com), January 08, 2001

Answers

I have not seen any expert opinions posted yet so I will share what I have learned anecdotely. I do not use the R system myself but these two lenses were also offered in M mount. The later lens is a better performer wide open and is the one I would go for. It will not be as good wide open as the modern formulations (R100APO, M135A or M90AA). It will be slightly soft wide open in a way that many find pleasing for porttaits.

Cheers

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), January 10, 2001.

The first and second versions of the 135/2.8 R Elmarit have different optical formulations while the outer body of both versions remained the same. The second version started with serial number 2,771,449. Early second version lenses were 2-cam which later upgraded to 3-cam with E55 filter size.

I have the second version and the performance of this lens is excellent. This is one of the most underrated Leica R lenses, IMHO, and can be had for a very reasonable price.

-- Cing-Dao Kan (cdkan@yahoo.com), January 28, 2001.