The Leica Leitz Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 stands out from its non-Leica peers for its excellent build quality, remarkable optics for its time, and distinctive Leica image character. This review delves into the lens’s features and highlights its appeal to photographers and artists.
Build Quality and Design
Renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, this Leica lens boasts a sturdy, premium feel thanks to its high-quality metal and glass construction. Its precise and smoothly clicked focus ring allows for accurate manual adjustments. The lens’s design is robust and sleek, reflecting Leica’s minimalist aesthetic.
Optical Performance
Offering classic optical performance, the Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 achieves satisfactory sharpness across the frame. While distortion is minimal and chromatic aberrations can appear, post-processing enhances image quality further. The lens’s signature Leica bokeh enriches photos with depth. Its f/2.8 aperture is advantageous in low light and shallow depth-of-field shots, perfect for manual focus aficionados.
Image Engagement
Photos captured with this lens feature a compelling Leica look distinct from other 70s lenses. Its blend of signature sharpness, contrast, and color richness offers an immersive viewing experience, inviting viewers into the photo’s narrative.
Photo Finesse
The Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 crafts refined, gallery-quality images, enhancing the artistry in portraits and street scenes. Its distinct Leica character and superb optics set your work apart.
Photographing Journey
Delight in manual focusing with the Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8. Its design fosters a deep connection to your subject, while its compactness ensures easy travel. Vintage Leica optics reward the dedicated photographer with signature images, symbolizing the effort behind each shot. For some, the lens may be hard to balance on a small body like Fujifilm X-E4.
Compatibility and Adaptability
Designed for the Leica M-mount, this lens fits a variety of Leica rangefinders. It also connects to other systems, including the Fuji X mount, with adapters, broadening its use. Note that adapting “goggled” Leica M lenses to some mirrorless cameras can be challenging due to physical obstructions. However, thanks to its flat front and optional hand grip, it pairs seamlessly with the Fujifilm X-E4, accommodating even “goggled” lenses.
Final Words
The Leica Leitz Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 lens blends impeccable build, exceptional optics, and artistic flair. Ideal for those valuing manual focus and image depth, it demands a slight learning curve but offers unmatched engagement and image quality in return.
Sample Photos
Pros: MF assist (Digital split image, Digital micro prism, Focus peaking highlights) works with the Leica Leitz Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 (goggled version, brille version) and Fujifilm X E4. Stopped down to f/5.6 or further, the lens can deliver pristine image quality. It has nice Leica signature bokeh and color rendering. The lens shade is beautifully built and integrated.
Cons: Wide open, the Leica Leitz Elmarit-M 135mm f/2.8 has medium contrast that can soften the micro detail. Street photographers sometimes find the minimum focusing distance of 1.5 meters challenging. The lens produces prominent chromatic aberration at low aperture settings. Balancing the camera and the lens may be challenging as the lens outweighs the camera body.
