Leica 135mm f3.4 Apo-Telyt M on a7rII

[tommiejeep]

I'm looking at a 135mm for the Sony a7rii and know some of you have the subject lens.   There is a significant price difference between the new Batis 135 f2.8 and a good copy of the Leica plus the Leica is smaller.  Having a hard time finding a late model of the 135 Tele-Elmar M f4 (which is heavier) .  My Nikon 135 f2.8 Q is larger than I want for air travel and was not happy with my 135 f2.8 Ais.

Looking for comments on the Leica f3.4 on a Sony a7xx.
Many thanks,
Tom

[jhinkey]

I'm looking at a 135mm for the Sony a7rii and know some of you have the subject lens.   There is a significant price difference between the new Batis 135 f2.8 and a good copy of the Leica plus the Leica is smaller.  Having a hard time finding a late model of the 135 Tele-Elmar M f4 (which is heavier) .  My Nikon 135 f2.8 Q is larger than I want for air travel and was not happy with my 135 f2.8 Ais.

Looking for comments on the Leica f3.4 on a Sony a7xx.
Many thanks,
Tom

My copy is excellent across the frame straight from wide open on my A7RII.  It's my 135mm travel lens.  I also use it on my m43 body too with excellent results.  If you shop carefully you can get one for less than $2K (I got mine for $1800 as I recall).

I wanted the new Batis to be smaller, but perhaps that's the price one pays for supposedly excellent wide open performance and AF.

John

[longzoom]

My copy is excellent across the frame straight from wide open on my A7RII.  It's my 135mm travel lens.  I also use it on my m43 body too with excellent results.  If you shop carefully you can get one for less than $2K (I got mine for $1800 as I recall).

I wanted the new Batis to be smaller, but perhaps that's the price one pays for supposedly excellent wide open performance and AF.

John

    So interesting, John! While i had some experience with this lens, about 30-35 yers ago, on its mother's bodies, i was not very successful due to its focusing limitations. Actually this one was not my favorite, even it is great optically, but i am glad you gave it a second life, as well as the others! Would you be so kind to post couple images? THX!  LZ

[tommiejeep]

John,  many thanks for replying.   I think many were hoping for a Batis 135 f2 .  Size seems to have become a non-issue with the new lenses for the Sony FE.  Most of the new ones are DSLR size.   I am waiting on my Zeiss dealer to give me the best price on the Batis but I think the best he will do is about the same as US prices and that still leaves the size/weight problem.

LZ, nice to hear from you.   I use my Leica 75 f2.5 more than I use my Batis 85 and really enjoy the Elmarit M 90 f2.8 so hopefully like the 135 f3.4 (if I get it) .  My Pen F has been a very nice surprise shooting Street up to ISO 1600 (3200 is not bad).

All the best,
Tom

[tommiejeep]

Guys, this is why I am looking for a longer lens.  Big crop from the Leica 75 f2.5 / a7rii.   Just my normal playing around with PP and people 

[longzoom]

Beautiful image made by excellent combo! Yeah, you really need a longer lens! THX!   LZ

[bjornthun]

There is also a manual focus Zeiss Loxia 85/2.4 for Sony E mount.

[tommiejeep]

Bjorn, yup, but I have a ton of lenses between 75mm and 90mm.   I have a Zeiss ZM 85 f4 on the way.  I really like my Loxia 50 f2 but the 85 f2.4 is another heavy lens.  I just this moment rec'd a price from Zeiss dealer.  Beats UK price but more than  US price for the Batis 135.  Recently sold a lot of gear so size and price is plus for Leica.  AF and full use, including better stabilization, on Sony a Plus for Zeiss.  Weather sealing is not that big of a deal since the a7xx series bodies are not really that weather resistant (dust is worse than rain  ) . I am negotiating on a Leica at the moment so will see how that works out and then re-think.  Batis is not yet available here.
Cheers and thanks,
Tom
Edit: 've been shooting the two Sonys long enough now that I will now start selling some of my Sony and adapted lenses.  I think the Zeiss 85 Tessar T. will replace three lenses on its' own.

[bjornthun]

Tom, I don't have the Loxia 85, but thought it belonged in the mix for consideration.

I've only heard good things about the ZM 85/4, and it's so tiny it can almost go in acpicket. I've owned the Summarit 75/2.5, and the optics is great, but the focus throw is on the short side.

I think IBIS in the camera does a very good with short focal lengths, so not necessarily a must in a 75/85mm lens. Even 135mm are fine with just IBIS in the camera, I think. Nothing scientific though, just my opinion.

I have over the last years culled my lenses.

[bjornthun]

Guys, this is why I am looking for a longer lens.  Big crop from the Leica 75 f2.5 / a7rii.   Just my normal playing around with PP and people 

Nice candid, and I like the colours.

I can see why you would like the Leica 135/3.4 Apo Telyt.

[jhinkey]

Tom, I don't have the Loxia 85, but thought it belonged in the mix for consideration.

I've only heard good things about the ZM 85/4, and it's so tiny it can almost go in acpicket. I've owned the Summarit 75/2.5, and the optics is great, but the focus throw is on the short side.

I think IBIS in the camera does a very good with short focal lengths, so not necessarily a must in a 75/85mm lens. Even 135mm are fine with just IBIS in the camera, I think. Nothing scientific though, just my opinion.

I have over the last years culled my lenses.

Yes, the 85/4 ZM is excellent on the A7RII.  85/2.4 Lox is even better (heavier, bigger, and more expensive, but worth it in my opinion).  The 135/3.4 APO Telyt is the best reasonably-sized 135mm that I've found.  There's the new 135/2.8 Batis coming soon and the somewhat scarce 125/2.5 APO CV which should be excellent for this kind of thing, but is also expensive and somewhat heavy.  The Zeiss 135/2 is pretty heavy to lug around . . .

[tommiejeep]

Bjorn, I agree on the IBIS.  Works well with my DC105/105 2.5s and Nikon 135 2.8Q but not that good with the 180 f2.8D (actually seems better with the size/weight of the 200 f4 Ais) . I am actually using the Leica 75 2.5 more than the Batis 85but I need the Batis AF for some Events.  Thanks for the comment on the image.
John, I've pretty much given up on the APO Lanthar 125mm.  Funny , I use the Samyang 135 f2 on the D500 more than on the Df.  My dealer made me a great offer on the Loxia 85 but still more than double the price of the Tessar 85 f4 and I really want to get down to lenses I will use regularly instead of 'having available'  .  At my skill level , I really do not need the very best available  .   I think I will leave the 135mm decision in the hands of the Gods .

I shot a Soccer Tournament last weekend and the D3S seemed to have gained weight... lol ...guess it is time for some morning weight lifting 
Tom

[longzoom]

Tom, have you ever tried the Nikkor 135/3.5 AIS? My copy was beautifully sharp with good contrast, but I've no idea how it will behave on sensors. LZ

[tommiejeep]

LZ, funny you should mention that.  My wife is picking up a Mint f3.5 Ai on her trip on the first of May along with another copy of the 135 f2.8 Ais.   I use a 100 f2.8 E on the Df which is good at short/medium distance but not anything long.  I have absolutely no problem selling those locally if they do not suit me.
Many thanks,
Tom

[Roland Vink]

The AI 135/3.5 works very well on my D600 (if focused properly). Sharpness and contrast are very good.
Optically, it has a similar 4-element arrangement as the 100/2.8 E, but the coatings are better.