I've always wanted to try our a longer lens to try out with a Leica M rangefinder, after all during my sports photography career I was used to using Nikon 200mm F/2's and Nikon 600mm F/4's  - so its safe to say I was used to using telephoto lenses, so how would my 1970 Leica 135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M work with my Leica M-E?

I've had my eye on this lens for a while and after reading up about it on Reddit and seeing that they were so cheap on eBay, I pulled the plug and dropped just £100 on this incredible lens - to be honest it felt like I was stealing it from him I go it so cheap.

But as you will see these lens really aren't the prettiest of lenses produced by Leica, in fact, the are produced by Leitz in Canada and to my knowledge were never made in Germany. but that does not stop this lens from being one of the best telephoto lenses I've ever used!

As you can see this "ugly duckling" comes equipped with the rangefinder goggles and a magnification window which lens you hit critical focus with ease. Actually, what really drew this lens to be was that instead of bringing up the tiny 135mm frameline window in most Leicas, that really isn't good for anything, this lens actually displays the 90mm frameline, combine this with the magnification window in the goggles and you have something spectacular!

I've used this lens on both my Leica M-E and my Leica M2 - both bringing up the 90mm frameline and allowing me to focus to my hearts content. However, all that glitters isn't gold and my only drawback with this lens is actually while focusing it. The focus throw is so long that it takes me two and a quarter turns to go from 5ft / 1.5M all the way to infinity, this might be fine with most users, but those trying to track something moving could struggle.

However, this long focus throw has never really bothered by when I've used it and sometimes I prefer it over my super quick 50mm or 21mm, as I know I'm hitting critical focus every-time.

Image samples

The lens is an f/2.8 and its can be stopped down to a remarkable f/32 however, with experience of using this lens I can confirm that images are super sharp when shot wide-open at f/2.8 and your images will cut like a razor with stopped down between f/8 - f/11. But stopping down any further I'd say you not getting any real benefit, or I've never had the need to - your use may vary!

Overall, I think this is one of the best telephoto lenses I have every used, its super sharp, relativity lightweight (compared to what I've sued in the past anyway!)  and the most remarkable thing is this lens is so affordable - I'd recommend it to any Leica-M user to just have in your bag on a "maybe one day" basis. You won't be disappointed, and I'm certain it will bring you a lot of joy!

For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally, specialising in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The FEI, The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, British Dressage, British Showjumping and many more for various advertising campaigns, books and pre/post-event highlights.

Sebastian now focuses his time taking Street, Documentary, and Landscape photography and also writes for prestigious publications for the countryside, technology and international lifestyle. However, he is still available to hire as photojournalist to produce visuals for clients who require his signature style of vivid colours, simplistic composition and high contrast black and white.