Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/04/20

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Subject: Re: [Leica] 135 Elmarit and Opera Photography...A Demural
From: Jerry Lehrer <jerryleh@pacbell.net>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2003 14:04:03 -0700
References: <000001c30773$ba3ae040$121afea9@Hausner>

Buzzz

Well, you are the first person to have a negative view of the 135 f2.8.

It balances beautifully for me, as I cradle the lens in my left hand. It is
hard to use a Leicavit that way though.  The "augen" or "brille" could
use adjustment in your case.

Jerry

Buzz Hausner wrote:

> I wish to demur from the many comments lauding the 1:2.8/135mm.
>
> Let me say at the outset that I find our correspondent's opera
> photographs to be quite good, exceptionally good for the genre.
>
> However, I have found the subject lens troublesome.  The unit I owned
> and used was heavy and did not balance well on an M6.  I for one found
> the eyes made focus difficult and that they diminished the brightness
> and the sharpness of the finder more than I think acceptable.  My
> biggest problem with the lens was that it seemed to exhibit low contrast
> at all stops and was not nearly as sharp as any of the later versions of
> the 135 (for many years I have used and loved a late Wetzlar Tele-Elmar
> f4.0 version, SN#3415735).
>
> The old f2.8 may actually be better for theatrical lighting than general
> photography because production lighting and makeup tend to be contrasty.
> The 2.8 is indeed a bargain when compared to the present f3.4, but
> neither is as good a deal as late model f4.0s which seem to be the
> cheapest bayonet lenses on the market.  This is especially true if one
> is shopping for general photography and not work as specialized as
> theatrical photography
>
>         Buzz Hausner
>
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In reply to: Message from "Buzz Hausner" <buzz.hausner@verizon.net> (RE: [Leica] 135 Elmarit and Opera Photography...A Demural)