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The Meyer Optik Telemegors

T

Tom Caldwell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2023
Messages
369
Relative size comparison

P1020249-011.jpg
  • Panasonic DMC-GM1
  • ƒ/2.8
  • 30mm
  • 1/60s
  • ISO 2000
 
I'm interested in the 180mm f3.5. Would use it for flower photography with extension tubes. Don't know how the bokeh is...looking for a 180 or 200mm with a soft and creamy bokeh.
 
Danny Vange said:
I'm interested in the 180mm f3.5. Would use it for flower photography with extension tubes. Don't know how the bokeh is...looking for a 180 or 200mm with a soft and creamy bokeh.
Click to expand...
Danny, I bought this many years ago as brand new in its oem box ex-somewhere in Europe (Poland?) for AUD$60. I have not used it for some time and suggest that its principal attributes are its very light weight and compact size for its reach. I don't see it as a particularly good lens for any other purpose.

But at Australian $60 (US $40 roughly) It was good buying and I doubt if it is worth a lot more even with the inflation of legacy MF lenses since I bought it.

I bought it as an interesting type and will keep it as a collector's piece but should not be an expensive purchase if you would like to experiment with it. It is actually an f5.5 and not a f3.5 that is obviously the reason for its compact size and light weight.

PS: it is the Meyer Optik 100/2.8 Trioplan that has the bokeh reputation but it has been priced generally to reflect this fact. If the 100/2.8 is on the overpriced side then perhaps the 180/5.5 Telemegor of similar heritage is still sold at more attractive priced levels. The 135/2.8 Orestor is also supposed to have good bokeh.

I think that the Meyer Orestors in ngeneral are a bit more up-market than the Telemegors.
 
I looked up the 180mm F5.5, found a discussion of it on MFlenses.com.

Meyer Telemegor 180mm f5.5

Meyer Telemegor 180mm f5.5 :: Lenses :: Home :: Manual Focus Lenses
forum.mflenses.com

It is described as a 4 element in two group design. This was used in a number of Telephoto lenses, including the Minolta Chiyoko 11cm F5.6 in Leica mount. I need to use it more.
 
Brian said:
I looked up the 180mm F5.5, found a discussion of it on MFlenses.com.

Meyer Telemegor 180mm f5.5

Meyer Telemegor 180mm f5.5 :: Lenses :: Home :: Manual Focus Lenses
forum.mflenses.com

It is described as a 4 element in two group design. This was used in a number of Telephoto lenses, including the Minolta Chiyoko 11cm F5.6 in Leica mount. I need to use it more.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that Brian. I have tried that lens - it is actually quite light and compact for a 180mm FF capable lens. But this is the main attraction think. I had occasion to uses it after I bought it and could see its purpose when it might have been first sold but it was not memorable enough to me to make me forsake more expensive build lenses - for example I have a Canon EF 180/3.5 macro which is a very substantial lens all round and not just its heft as it is a very sharp lens and can do wonders in the hands of those perhaps more skilled than I am.

The Telemegor 180/5.5 might fit in a class similar to mirror lenses - can do quite well under certain circumstances but most of the time is valued for the certain needs of capturing a further away subject when you have no other lens handy that can do the job. A lens compact and light enough to fit easily in a bag - just in case.
 
Tom Caldwell said:
Danny, I bought this many years ago as brand new in its oem box ex-somewhere in Europe (Poland?) for AUD$60. I have not used it for some time and suggest that its principal attributes are its very light weight and compact size for its reach. I don't see it as a particularly good lens for any other purpose.
Click to expand...

Many thanks for your interesting explanation, Tom. The 180/5.5 is known for it's rendering and bokeh. Have a look: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/telemegor 180 5.5/
I hope the link will work pasted like this. The pics look ok... certainly for a f5.5 lens. Nice bokeh and loads of character :)
 
Looks just as soap bubbly as the 200/2.8 Trioplan. Obviously wielded by someone with more skill and opportunities than I exercised. I must get that lens out and try harder - the lens is in perfect condition so all the excuses are mine alone.

Too many lenses, or perhaps I gave up before I found good subject matter.

This is a good set of examples - thanks. Sorry that I was not much help.
 
Had to look up the Primotar- listed as a Tessar type lens, 4 elements in 3 group design, sometimes written as a 1-1-2. The Telemegor is a 4 in 2, 2-2. The trade names of these lenses usually (not always) tie them to an optical formula There are also 4 element in 3 group Sonnars, 1-2-1. The Nikkor 25cm F4 is a Sonnar type.
If anyone opens up a Bokeh type discussion here, I tend to join in.
 
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