90mm Elmarit/Summarit

[d2mini]

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I thought I posted this earlier but I can't find the thread.

 

Is the Elmarit truly the better lens when looking in this price range?

From what I've seen it's the better value.

 

But since it's discontinued I haven't seen any for sale so that makes comparison a bit tougher (or easier depending how you look at it).

I'd like to buy one of these this week so if anyone knows where to find a late model Elmarit or if you think the Summarit is better, let me know.

[jaapv]

Adorama and Meister Camera both have a nice Elmarit 90 afaik.

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[AlanJW]

Photo Village in NY had new old stock 90mm Elmarits. That's where I got mine. I liked the build quality better than the Summarit. I was told the IQ is comparable of better in the Elmarit but was unable to make any comparisons myself. If my memory serves me the Elmarit comes with a hood; the Summarit does not.

[batmobile]

The Elmarit-M is allegedly the better lens optically but I doubt it makes much difference in use. The Elmarit will be a touch longer and heavier, but not that much. Build is amazing but Summarit build is superb too. Don't buy into this second rate build stuff. It aint true.

[harmsr]

Regardless of build quality talk, the Elmarit is the better lens. It resolves more detail and has smoother transitions.

 

My opinion only. I bought the Elmarit vs. the Summarit even though it cost more when new.

 

I did have the option to shoot both at the time.

 

Best,

 

Ray

[adan]

The most recent 90mm Elmarit-M, with built-in shade, was Leica's "best" 90 ever until the APO Summicron, at least optically. It has the same optics as the 90 Elmarit-R sold from 1980 until discontinued in the 2000's. Very nearly an APO lens, with high contrast and razor-sharpness wide-open.

 

The Summarit is very close to being a repackaging of the pre-APO 90 'cron (minus half a stop), both in optical layout and performance. Not bad, but has some of the pre-APO 'cron's old-school chromatic aberrations.

 

When I was picking out lenses 8-9 years ago, I had some issues with four aspects of the Elmarit-M: weight, pink color rendition (compared to my preferred Mandler designs), a bit hotter in contrast than I liked, and, most importantly, a very short focus throw (around 90°) compared to the older 90 Tele-Elmarit-M (160°) I settled on, which made it harder to nail focus.

 

But if you like the look of Leica's current APO-ASPH lenses, the 90 Elmarit-M fits that mold, even though it doesn't get the fancy initials. If I had to pick a 90 f/2.8 other than my TE, I'd have to go for the Elmarit-M.

Edited May 17, 2010 by adan

[luigi bertolotti]

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3 Elmarit M 90 for sale here : Newoldcamera - Prodotti (the one in titan, of course, is just for amateurs of such "specials"... )

 

My one was bought in the same shop, an it's a superb lens... frankly, it is quietly making obsolete my Summarit 75...

Edited May 17, 2010 by luigi bertolotti

[batmobile]

I find my 90 Elmarit-M somewhat more mellow than my 50 lux asph was in terms of contrast. Appreciably lower in contrast than my ZMs. Very, very sharp lens. I bought a 75 Summarit tho, but thats to work with a 35mm for a light kit and leave the 50mm at home.

[epand56]

Totally superb lens and my preferred 90mm. Absolutely superior to the price it is usually sold.

[d2mini]

If the Elmarit is widely thought of as superior to the new Summarit, why did Leica bother to replace it with the latter?

[tobey bilek]

90 4.0 is a very fine lens unless you need 2.8. It does not improve on stopping down, is within a hair of AA 90.0 or 90 2.8 at distance, and way better under 6 feet than either. It is in my bag along with a new 50 2.8 and 35 2.0 version 4. Outdoor Leica photography does not get better than this.

 

Spend the money on what your interests are, and in 5 years the pain will be gone and you will still have the lens.

 

Pop Flash can get you things you think can not be had and you will be suprised at the price.

 

My 90 4.0 came from Pop Flash.

[d2mini]

Thanks for the comments!

 

I ended up finding a supposedly "mint" copy of the late model Elmarit 90mm 2.8 e46 for $1050. Should have it in a couple days.

I also found a mint 90 'cron f/2 APO for $2300 but not sure it's worth over twice the price of the Elmarit.

[jaapv]

That Elmarit should be exceedingly nice at the price. Anyway, it is a superb little lens

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Edited May 18, 2010 by jaapv

[gonzaloro]

Anybody has experience with the tele-elmarit 90? is it similar in quality to the elmarit 90? If not, how would it compare to the summarit 90? Thanks.

[lars_bergquist]

Anybody has experience with the tele-elmarit 90? is it similar in quality to the elmarit 90? If not, how would it compare to the summarit 90? Thanks.

There are two versions. V.1 (1964--74) is a hefty little brass lens, first in chrome, then in black. Performance is very decent at 5.6, but contrast (esp. micro-contrast) and definition wide open is no match for the Elmarit-M or the Summarit. During its entire life it was produced in parallel with the 1958 Elmarit, a long-focus (non-tele) design which has a removeable lens head and could be used on Visoflex rigs. This lens is of comparable performance to the Tele-Elmarit v.1.

 

Both were replaced in 1974 with the v.2. This Canadian design was intended as a real lightweight lens, and that it is. It weighs just 2/3 of its brass predecessor. Performance is not better at 2.8, but it is a no-brainer for long-distance backpacking! They are comparable at 5.6.

 

The Elmarit-M is my present 90mm lens, and it is a gem, though exact focusing takes care, because of the short focus throw. I have no personal experience of the Summarit, but its 75mm sibling is a splendid lens and very easy to use. Performance-wise it is entirely up to the Elmarit-M, and therefore very superior to any Tele-Elmarit.

 

The old man from the Age of the 9cm Elmar

[batmobile]

I've just receieved my 75 Summarit so it will be interesting to see how it performs. I am delighted with the handling and feel so far. While the 90 Elmarit-M is great, the 75 is quite a bit smaller and lighter and will partner with a 35 nicely.

[kkochheiser]

Please keep us posted! I'm very interested in this lens as a companion to my 35 lux and 50 ZM Zeiss.

 

Kent

[wda]

A search brought up this thread because I have been considering an alternative 90mm lens to replace/augment my first version 90 Tele-Elmarit on my M9. The latter is fine for female portraiture at wide apertures, but is lacking in landscape and architectural details photography. I have short-listed and have an open mind on the alternatives stated by the OP.

 

Good late versions of the 90 Elmarit-M are both scarce and costly in the UK. (Were any produced with 6-bit coding or would that have been done subsequently)?

 

Secondly, since this thread started last May, has any member current comparative experience of the 90mm Elmarit and Summarit lenses, so far as handling and performance at wide apertures is concerned? It is important that the lenses perform well at full aperture because I use the 90mm mostly with that setting.