bob_peters Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I'm thinking of getting a 135mm lens for my 5D but don't want to spend the cash for the 135mm f2L, by most accounts the best 135mm lens ever made. How does the Elmarit-R stack up? How good is it wide open? Anyone using it on a 5D care to comment on how it fares compared to the 70-200m f2.8L? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Bob, I had one several years ago but, alas, I only used it on boring Leica R cameras. It was sharp as hell; it's a fairly easy focal length to compute -- so I've been told (by Max Berek). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdnyc Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Bob, I have the last version of the 135 M, which I believe has the same optical formula as the 135 R. I use it side-by-side with my 90AA M for portraiture. At medium apertures, the results in the center seem to have lower contrast than the 90AA but the resolution is fine for all practical purposes and the results are very pleasingly drawn. I never use it wide open and can't compare it with the L glass, but for my purposes it gives the results I expect from pre-ashpheric Leica optics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean_ritz2 Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I love it. It has a very natural rendering of skin (at least in B&W -- where I work) usually at f4,0. But then, I'm a fan of the pre-ASPH lenses for portraits especially the 80 Summilux. It's surprisingly heavy but a good one is a pleasure to use. I recently acquired an 70-180 APO but haven't done a strict comparison. But then, the price ratio is 1:10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgpinc Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Bob, Take a look at the Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 SF (Soft Focus) AutoFocus Telephoto Lens at around $280 new. The soft focus is just a nice added feature and with it off the lens has the reputation of being very sharp even wide open. I have the 135 Elmarit-R and it is an excellent lens on the R system cameras. If you are a tinkerer who likes to fiddle with things then the Leica R lenses are okay to use in manual stop-down mode with an adapter for the EOS cameras. To me it is a little like the guy who uses the wheelbarrow with the wheel off the ground. It'll work but its pretty awkward. I much prefer the versatility of the excellent 70-200mm 4.0 L lens which is quite reasonably priced. The only R lens I like to use regularly on my DSLR is the 28mm Elmarit-R. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_boyle3 Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I have a late Leitz Canada version of the 135 R lens and it has performed well. Look for one in good condition. You won't be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I agree that the 135mm Elmarit should be useable on a 5D. I use the 180mm and 80 in particular on the Rebel XTi and they work very well. The Elmarit is a very nice lens for portraits and stopped down has good performance, but not up to the standard of say the APO 180mm's or for that matter the 135mm Apo-Telyt M which I suspect resolution-wise is actually the "best 135mm" not the f2L Canon (as nice as that is...). Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgpinc Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Bob, I sent you an email but your email is a bust. Came back incomplete. (unable to deliver to the email you list on Photo dot net registration.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_jeblee Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I have both the M & R versions & have used the eos 100mm & other cannon lenses, though not much anymore. I use the 135 some wide open for stage work when I can get away w/ f2.8 - sharpness is vgood but not apo (a 90AA or 180apo is noticeably sharper) but the color redition is great. But I use these on the Leica's they were built for & other lenses w/ adapters that I have used end up being a bit of a pain. You have to decide exactly what you want it for, it would be nice for a longish portrate lense but an EOS 70-200L or a 100 or 135 2.8 would make a better general purpose lense. Like is said many times here you can buy it & try it & resell it if you don't like it. I paid $300 for a mint 135 Elmarit-R several years ago, but they may be cheaper now. Best wishes, Jim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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