Elmar 90

[JHAG]

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Is it possible to shoot with the Elmar 90 last version without the goggles ?

[twittle]

The Macro-Elmar? Yes, it can most definitely be used without the goggles--range from .8m to infinity without, .55m to .76m with goggles. It's a nice little lens.

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[JHAG]

As I love macro I would like to test it, especially with portrait and products.

Found one almost new for a ridiculous price.

[twittle]

Definitely worth a look, especially if you can get it for a good price. The US price has gone up $500 (for the lens alone) since I purchased mine...

[JHAG]

This one is sold around 1200 € (you know, next to naught, these days… )

[twittle]

Yeah, that's a pretty good price. The goggles are worth having, too. Don't know what they're going for used.

[JHAG]

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What exactly gives that lens that's impossible with any other lens ?

[twittle]

It's a nice little 90 on its own, but the close-up capability of the goggles is what makes it unique in the current lineup (I've never used the old dual-range 50, so I can't tell you if they're comparable at all).

[UliWer]

I think it's not only the "goggles" which make this lens very apt for close ups. It's also the optical design, which is similar to the original Elmar with four elements (lenses). Even the old 50mm Elmars which were never made for "macros" were very good at small distances, the last version of the 2.8/50 Elmar had a special reputation of being the best Leica-M lens in this range. It's no incident that the Elmar-design was used for the 3,5/65, which was the only real macro-lens with the Visoflex.

 

If you compare designs which usually are much "better" than the old Elmar - for instance the 135mm Apo-Telyt, which is certainly one of the best lenses Leica ever made - they become "softish" and loose contrast if you use them at their nearest distance. That's one reason why modern Leica designs have the "floating element" to avoid this decline in resolution and contrast in the close range. With the Elmar-design you don't need those expensive aids.

[hoppyman]

It's a really fine lens and the closer focusing can be used to advantage.

Portrait

Make up test photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

near minimum distance

Heliconia with a glimpse of sunshine through the cloud photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

with the macro adapter (100% crop)

Hedge Grasshopper in my garden photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

[Doc Henry]

Hi Johan and All ,

 

Like Geoff,thank you for looking at some pictures taken with the Elmar 90mm , without glasses

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/121937-spring-2010-m9.html

 

Henry

[tobey bilek]

I can assure you the image quality is up there with the modern Leica lenses. It is within a hair of the Summicron Asph at distance and much better under 6 feet. The lens is formulated to perform well close and far.

 

Because most of my photography is outside, the 90 4.0 is the 90 most often in the bag.

 

50 2.8 last version and 35 2.0 V4 are its companions.