HI all,

I am thinking of getting a mint 135mm 2.8 for M. The version I believe is the last version (III) I think the glasses has been cleaned before. Would that causes any problem to its performance.

Can anyone verify that this lens stop down to f/4, is as sharp and contrasty as tele-elmar at f/4 ?

Is USD 620 a good deal ?

THanks,

-- Jeff Yiu (jeffyiu@quamnet.com), April 03, 2002

Answers

Is USD 620 a good deal ?
Depends, might be worth the price if you're getting it local to where you are and you can inspect it before buying. Check "the auction site that cannot be named". One went for $450 in Buy-it-Now last week. There's one now for $550 by a Canadian seller, version 1 though.

-- Fred Sun (redsky3@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

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Maybe for a real mint one, in the box, with papers.

All 135mm Leica lenses seem to go for much less in the used market than the other focal lengths.

I got my Elmarit for only $300, but no box, etc. The lens itself was near mint (only a little edge wear on the focus ring).

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), April 03, 2002.

It's a nice lens, I got mine on the auction site for 260.00, in box, etc. If you have a chance to try one before you buy, do it. I found it to be too cumbersome, and the (very necessary) long focus throw was difficult for me to work with . Ended up selling it for what I paid.

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), April 03, 2002.

IŽam using both lenses, the Tele-Elmar-M and the Elmarit-R. The M- lens at f4 has a bit more bite than the Elmarit-R I think, but it is hard to see in a print. Shooting with the Elmarit-R however allows for better composition. Using the TE on my .72 LEICA M is a bit of trial and error. Compositionwise the results with the R-lens are more consistant.

Best regards

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), April 03, 2002.

Hello Jeff.I would say $620 is on the high side of normal for this lens. However, if you can handle the bulk of this lens it has it's one stop and focusing advantage over the very crisp Tele Elmar 135mm.I believe Mike Dixon uses an Elmarit 135mm...Jeff,start practising.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

I can't compare the 2.8 to the f4, but I can say the 2.8 does a beautiful job on the occasions I use it. Unless it's important to you that the lens is mint, you should be able to find one for significantly less than US$ 620. (My cosmetically-worn example was $250.)

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), April 03, 2002.

saw a pro once take the 135mmRF on trial.Shot a few candid available light shots of dealer in store.Returned next day with 11x14 print. Sharp,contrasty and stunning.The extra magnification to viewfinder really great.I purchased the 135mm Tele-Elmar as more portable,less bulky.True all 135mm lenses way cheaper(Leica lenses its relative!!!) So make your choice.Price lil high? Depends on condition..

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

Jeff, If the lens is the very latest (check the serial #) it'll take an E-55 filter, and have later multi-coated elements. In mint condition I've seen very late serial # versions for as much as $795. So $620. could be a reasonable price. Just a thought.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), April 03, 2002.

I've seen two in EX+ condition for under $400.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), April 03, 2002.