Leica Tri-Elmar

[henry_ting2]

I searched the archives and cannot locate these information.

Can someone tell me when the Tri-Elmar changed to the current version

and the serial number effective ?

 

Thanks

[stephen_w.]

You don't have that one yet?

[skip_williams]

AFAIK, The two versions are optically identical. They changed in that the earlier one has no focusing tab and the later one has DOF scales. Also they have different filter sizes, the earlier version was 55 and the later 49mm.

 

So it's pretty easy to tell them apart, you don't need serial numbers.

 

Skip

[chip l.]

You just need to know what filter size. The first version had 55mm and the latest version has 49mm.

[henry_ting2]

Thanks guys.

I read somewhere that the T-E due to its length blocks the viewfinder too much, especially with the wider-angle setting. Does the older version, being bigger more prone to such problems.

[steve_chippendale]

Henry,

I've got the old version, and yes, on 28mm the bottom right corner of the veiw finder is obscured. The Tri-Elmar is about the same size as the 90mm f2 APO. All of the things people say about the lense are true. Yes it's big. Yes it's slow(ish). Yes it's fabulous. But on an M6 the f4 max isn't really an issue, just shoot slower (or trust your lab and under expose). Best of all you can frame the shot and change focal lengths without any effort or fuss.

 

My only complaint is the lack of DOF scale - still not even the Tri-Elmar is perfect.

[henry_ting2]

Thanks Steve. The newer version have the DOF markings, but looks very fussy. I wonder in using it, how practical is the DOF considering the various focal lengths and the fussy markings.

[steve_chippendale]

I've thought the same when I've seen pictures. Some sort of guide would be nice though.

[ray_moth]

I found the DoF scale quite straightforward once I got used to it. A neat trick that can sometimes be useful with the 3E is to use the 50mm focal length to get a narrower spot reading for a shot to be taken at 35mm or 28mm.