Anyone using a 135mm lens?

[mart5302]

Opinions ......

Pros. Good for indoor stage shooting where one cannot approach nearer (due to security guards). Inconspicuous street shooting.

Cons. Small image in rangefinder (maybe not too bad with 1.25x or 1.4x magnifiers). Difficult to focus. Extremely thin depth-of-field.

Like to hear your opinions. Why do you like them? Why do you avoid them?

Thanks

 

[Dan95]

I avoid them because they are too heavy. Prefer a light street shoot camera

 

[Hacker]

The 135 APO is one of the best M lenses around. Works great on the M9, but could not focus with it on the M8/M8.2.

 

[davela]

I use them a lot. Lately my favorite has been the Canon 135mm F3.5 LTM (in black). I try to use a body with integral 135mm frame lines, but working with external finders is not too hard with some prepartion.

 

[sweat100]

I used it on the IIIf. Framing and focusing is with the rangefinder. The image is big and FOV is approx 135mm. Good for half body portraits.

 

[hookonclassic]

Opinions ......

Pros. Good for indoor stage shooting where one cannot approach nearer (due to security guards). Inconspicuous street shooting.

Cons. Small image in rangefinder (maybe not too bad with 1.25x or 1.4x magnifiers). Difficult to focus. Extremely thin depth-of-field.

Like to hear your opinions. Why do you like them? Why do you avoid them?

Thanks

Hi mart8302,

I have a 135mm f4 Elmar, I don't carry it around as often as other lenses due to the following reasons:

1) more difficult to focus accurately (unless the object is at infinity), need magnifying viewfinder

2) unlike SLR, 135mm viewfinder frame line is too small for user comfort

3) too long, cumbersome, does not look good with the small RF body. RF users do care how the camera look and ease of handling when coupled with a lens.:lovegrin:

4) too shallow DOF also make this focal length unsuitable for street shooting. Example: using 35mm at f8, u can achieved DOF from 2.5m to infinity...whereas using 135mm at f8 u only achieved DOF above 60m to infinity.

Street photography is not about hiding in a corner at a far distance to capture the subject, not animal stalking...u r dealing with people... In my opinion, a fast 35mm lens is best suit for this purpose as u can interact with the subject, involve them in the photo taking usually make the picture interesting.

 

[pinglian]

Hi,
I use a Hektor 135mm f4.5 on a Voigtlander Bessa T and a Leitz 135 viewfinder attached. This camera's rangefinder is fine for this len,good magnification and a bright viewfinder.
Here's a photo of my outfit..

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Hi mart8302,

Street photography is not about hiding in a corner at a far distance to capture the subject, not animal stalking...u r dealing with people... In my opinion, a fast 35mm lens is best suit for this purpose as u can interact with the subject, involve them in the photo taking usually make the picture interesting.

Well said :thumbsup:

 

[clubgrit]

I used to have it, I have no problems using it to take pictures.

Focusing is fine, it's the same RF patch, but the framelines give the illusion that everything becomes smaller, so one has to get past that.

At the end of the day, however, I still preferred the 90mm Summicron - still a good distance, faster, smaller (although my 90mm APO is slightly thicker I think, while my Leica thin Tele-Elmarit was really "thin").

I like Leica 90mm lenses when space is not restricted, high quality, easy to compose on an RF, good DOF. I also compose with the subject out of center, so the view of a small frameline with big RF patch is useful. Even with subject out of center, part of it is still in the RF patch. How I wish the RF patch was for the whole image within the framelines, then can compose and focus anywhere in the patch - then no more need for letters petitioning Leica for an EVF.

Only problem with 90mm lenses, no Summilux version, unlike 75mm. But I feel 75mm lux is just too close to a 50mm (which I will always have).


.

 

[gohaj]

I use them a lot. Lately my favorite has been the Canon 135mm F3.5 LTM (in black). I try to use a body with integral 135mm frame lines, but working with external finders is not too hard with some prepartion.

I have this too! Light and good!

 

[Hacker]

For concerts, think DSLR with high ISO and VR/IS more appropriate.

 

[GMonkey]

HI,

I am new around here.

I have been using Elmar F4 135 with quite good result. The len is sharp and soft, cheap and good value. (sounds contradicting, right). Sample was taken at Changi North.

/Users/gabrielchan/Desktop/P1020752 (1).jpg

 

[rain5533]

hi, all

i just got my own AF 135mm f/2D DC lens.

nothing can comparision of others portrait lens.

but i just feel great of bokeh background of my 1.5X Crop Sensor.

here have some of photos sharing to everyone.

thanks.

 

[Reim1o]

My travel kit is Bessa r3a, EP-2, 15 VM, 50 1.1 VM, 90 f/2, and Pana 20mm 1.7.
I found it really easy to use the ep-2 EVF to focus with the 90 f/2. 180mm for the win.
If you want closer, I suppose you can get a 75 (150mm).

 

[raytoei]

i don't have very much success with the 135mm lens, my hektor is too soft until f8, but this is only perculiar to my lens.

 

[Yatlapball]

sorry to burst your bubble rain5533, but you are totally off-topic. we're talking about 135s made for a RF... :bsmilie: