Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/25

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Subject: [Leica] M 135 Opinions, Go Ask Tootsie and Opus
From: bdcolen at earthlink.net (B. D. Colen)
Date: Sat Sep 25 19:19:04 2004

I preface this retort by saying to all assembled that poor deluded Buzz
is one of my best friends, on list and off-list-face-to-face, as we live
within about 15 minutes of each other (and didn't even know of each
other's existence prior to meeting on the LUG :-) )

Sorry, Buzz - But...First off, the idea of a 135 on a rangefinder is
just plain silly to begin with - and that silliness explains why the
Nikon F took off like a shot among photojournalists...and why, if you go
back to those 'golden days' and look at photos of photographers, at
demos, wars, etc., and you'll often see one to two Leicas or Nikon RFs
and two Fs strung over neck and shoulders - often a 21 and 35 or 35 and
50 on the Leicas, and the venerable 105 2.5 and the 200 f4 on the
Nikons. 

Shooting with a naked 135 on an M is just a total pia - using a 90 at
any distance is bad enough, but that tiny frame, with tiny little people
in it, is silly. It was one thing when there were no good options. But
the 135 2.8 provides at least a compromise option. Yes, it's heavy. No,
it is not the sharpest piece of glass in the drawer. But it does produce
good images, as Sonny's little display atests - and heavy is a relative
term. And the goggles at least provide some magnification and sense of
what one is really shooting.

Can you stick the 135 2.8 in your pocket? Nope. But it's not the woofer
you'd make it out to be.

:-)

B. D.

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Buzz Hausner
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:45 AM
To: 'Leica Users Group'
Subject: RE: [Leica] M 135 Opinions, Go Ask Tootsie and Opus


Come on, B.D., haven't Tootsie and Opus taught you to understand the
meaning of "bow-wow"?  The 135/2.8 is softer than other options,
exhibits less contrast than other options, is harder to frame than other
options, and is a whole lot bigger and heavier than other options.
What's to like other than an extra stop for which one can more easily
compensate in film choice or speed.  Bow wow.  Having spent most of my
working life in public service, I can definitely say that the 135/2.8 is
certainly not good enough for government work, at least in the State of
Maryland and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!

If money is an object, the late expression 135/4.0's cost about US$100
less than equivalent 2.8's.  If money is no object, than the 3.4 is the
only way to go for an M mount 135.

That said, I must emphasize to anyone who has never used a 135 on an M
body that if you practice, practice, practice, you will get to Carnegie
Hall at just about the same time you can accurately frame with any 135
and you may still want to consider that R4...

        Buzz Hausner

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+buzz=bethhardiman.com@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+buzz=bethhardiman.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
B. D. Colen
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 4:14 PM
To: 'Leica Users Group'
Subject: RE: [Leica] M 135 Opinions/Comments/Anecdotes/Cautions

Oh blah, blah blah, Buzz -;-) An APO it ain't, but it also ain't no
pooch. Heavy, yes, but it makes using a 135 on an M practical with those
eyes. And soft? Compared to an APO? Yup. But it's more than good enough
for gummint work. In fact, I'd say it's one of the real bargins in Leica
lensdom, given that it can be picked up for under $500.

B. D.
A contrarian to the end. :-)

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Buzz Hausner
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 4:06 PM
To: 'Leica Users Group'
Subject: RE: [Leica] M 135 Opinions/Comments/Anecdotes/Cautions


The 135mm f/2.8 is the ultimate Leica pooch.  Even with the eyes it
isn't easy to focus and, when it is in focus, you'll notice the image is
a tad soft and lacks good contrast.  The best deal in Leica 135's are
late production 135 f/4.0's.  Exceptionally sharp by anybody's
standards, a wee package when compared to the 2.8, and really quite
inexpensive by Leica measures.  Caveat emptor; framing with any 135 on
an M camera is an art which must be learned from experience.

        Buzz Hausner

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+buzz=bethhardiman.com@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+buzz=bethhardiman.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Gregory Rubenstein
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 3:45 PM
To: lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] M 135 Opinions/Comments/Anecdotes/Cautions


Group:

Will soon buy an M 135 mm and would like users' 
opinions/comments/anecdotes/cautions about the 3.4 APO and old glass
(such 
as the 2.8). Have read Erwin Puts material, but would like some hands-on

input closer to the photo world I inhabit. Lean toward a new 3.4 simply
'cuz 
I've had wretched luck over the years with anything used; must admit, 
however, that I am tempted by the extra stop and significant price 
differential of the old glass.

On- and off-list user replies welcome.

Thanks.

Greg Rubenstein
gcr910@msn.com

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Replies: Reply from buzz at bethhardiman.com (Buzz Hausner) ([Leica] M 135 Opinions, Go Ask Tootsie and Opus)
In reply to: Message from buzz at bethhardiman.com (Buzz Hausner) ([Leica] M 135 Opinions, Go Ask Tootsie and Opus)