ironringer Posted September 8, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 8, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Could experienced screwmount users suggest what 9 cm lens I should try, and maybe buy, to use with my IIIf? I would like to experiment with a longer focal length for portraits and other pictures. A Leica 9 cm lens with a price of about $200 would be ideal, for initial use, but the budget is flexible. Is the rangefinder focusing with a 9 cm lens as accurate as with a 5 cm lens? Are there other factors to be aware of when using a 9 cm lens? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 Hi ironringer, Take a look here Suggest 9 cm screwmount lens for IIIf?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted September 8, 2014 Share #2 Posted September 8, 2014 Elmar !!! Light, unexpensive, fine to use. Better to find an item well over 1.xxx.xxx (1.2 to 1.4xx.xxx, about) , version still with A36 filter but black front ring. Easy to find, but mint items are probably not so common... but is an Elmar design with lens goup removable... very easy to clean/adjust in case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
payasam Posted September 8, 2014 Share #3 Posted September 8, 2014 For any lens on a IIIf other than a 50mm you'll need an accessory finder. There are other options besides the Elmar 90: Canon made screw mount 85mm and 100mm lenses and Nikon made 85mm and 105mm lenses. In absolute terms a 9cm lens won't focus as accurately as a 5cm one on account of its reduced depth of field -- but in practice its focus will be accurate enough. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironringer Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted September 10, 2014 Thank you readers for some good advice. I will look for a later s/n Elmar 9 cm in good condition, preferring to stay in the Leica family. Unfortunately VERY few eBay sellers and even few knowledgeable dealers will provide accurate descriptions of the condition of lens glass (scratches, haze, separation, etc.). That makes it very risky to buy (by mail) any lens you have not examined yourself. To my surprise, one well-known Leica-specialist dealer does not mention any optical qualities in their lens descriptions, and will only mention the outside cosmetic condition - that is useless for a lens that is purchased to be used. Mentioned in the Erwin Puts guidebook, are screwmount 9 cm Summicron or Elmarit lenses noticeably better than the basic Elmar? That author seems to say there is no big difference (resolution, contrast) at open apertures. Can users share their experiences? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 10, 2014 Share #5 Posted September 10, 2014 The Summicron 90 in SM is a problematic lens in user terms, both for Technical and economical reasons : if it is really FINE, is a rather costly collectible, and is a heavy item, critical to be focused at high apertures... so that you end up with a highly paid and bulky lens... used as an Elmar; I have one... But at normal, "safe" f stops like 5,6/8 its rendering it's similar to Elmar. I haven't an Elmarit in SM...only in BM... but used it for short time many years ago: when acquired the Tele Elmarit (lens i like a lot,but dosn't exist in SM) it became an unused item... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortstop Posted September 10, 2014 Share #6 Posted September 10, 2014 The Summicron 90 in SM is a problematic lens in user terms' date=' both for Technical and economical reasons : if it is really FINE, is a rather costly collectible, and is a heavy item, critical to be focused at high apertures... so that you end up with a highly paid and bulky lens... used as an Elmar; I have one... But at normal, "safe" f stops like 5,6/8 its rendering it's similar to Elmar. I haven't an Elmarit in SM...only in BM... but used it for short time many years ago: when acquired the Tele Elmarit (lens i like a lot,but dosn't exist in SM) it became an unused item...[/quote']So you prefer elmar to summicron or elmarit? This soluution is certainly cheaper Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 10, 2014 Share #7 Posted September 10, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) So you prefer elmar to summicron or elmarit? This soluution is certainly cheaper In the context we are speaking of (Leica screwmount with film) imho the right 90 is an Elmar ; if one has the NEED of wide apertures that's another matter... and, better than a Summicron, there is a top and very tasty alternative... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortstop Posted September 10, 2014 Share #8 Posted September 10, 2014 In the context we are speaking of (Leica screwmount with film) imho the right 90 is an Elmar ; if one has the NEED of wide apertures that's another matter... and' date=' better than a Summicron, there is a top and very tasty alternative... [/quote']I don't need wide apertures in 90 mm. What I'm asking is if you consider elmar 90/4 at the same level of summicron 90/2 from f:4 on. A dream lens would be thambar, but... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 10, 2014 Share #9 Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) I don't need wide apertures in 90 mm. What I'm asking is if you consider elmar 90/4 at the same level of summicron 90/2 from f:4 on.A dream lens would be thambar, but... Absolutely YES : the Summicron in SM, remember, is only of the old original design; and I do refer to the classic Elmar 90... the last Elmar 90 (3 elements, very rare in SM, I have only the BM version) is even better, and a lens still very appreciable with digital Leicas... I regularly use it on M240 (to be honest... mainly its lenshead on macro setups) Thambar is a nice and costly oddity.... , imho the "dream long focus" one can mount on a LTM body is always IT... his majesty the Summarex: having the fortune to focus correctly at 1,5 or 2, with safe lightning, and it's a great performer.... use it around 8, and is of the same class as a modern Elmarit 90. Edited September 10, 2014 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 10, 2014 Share #10 Posted September 10, 2014 ... If you prefer a more modern optical design, think of a chrome Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 90mm f/3.5 LTM. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233562-suggest-9-cm-screwmount-lens-for-iiif/?do=findComment&comment=2667619'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 10, 2014 Share #11 Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) good idea... I see that Cameraquest seems to have it still available (isn't anymore produced, apparently) An interesting lens... I remember to have read good reviews about it... Edited September 10, 2014 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted September 11, 2014 Share #12 Posted September 11, 2014 OT I know, but I like the 75/2.5 Voigtlander on my III. A good bit faster without extra bulk. Gerry Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortstop Posted September 11, 2014 Share #13 Posted September 11, 2014 Absolutely YES : the Summicron in SM' date=' remember, is only of the old original design; and I do refer to the classic Elmar 90... the last Elmar 90 (3 elements, very rare in SM, I have only the BM version) is even better, and a lens still very appreciable with digital Leicas... I regularly use it on M240 (to be honest... mainly its lenshead on macro setups) Thambar is a nice and costly oddity.... , imho the "dream long focus" one can mount on a LTM body is always IT... his majesty the Summarex: having the fortune to focus correctly at 1,5 or 2, with safe lightning, and it's a great performer.... use it around 8, and is of the same class as a modern Elmarit 90.[/quote']Thanks, this means Elmar 90/4 is adapt to me. Think 90 CV is a fine lens, but without the classic rendition of Elmar. If Summicron has the same quality of Elmar from f:4 on surely Elmar is a bargain (and light weight is important too). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordvik Posted September 13, 2014 Share #14 Posted September 13, 2014 Here are some pictures taken with a 9cm Elmar from 1937. Camera is M9. First set is at infinity. Second set is at 50m and at f=4,0. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233562-suggest-9-cm-screwmount-lens-for-iiif/?do=findComment&comment=2668883'>More sharing options...
shortstop Posted September 13, 2014 Share #15 Posted September 13, 2014 Here are some pictures taken with a 9cm Elmar from 1937. Camera is M9. First set is at infinity. Second set is at 50m and at f=4' date='0.[/quote']Wow! Crops are very good. It's a great lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironringer Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted September 13, 2014 Yes that prewar Elmar is a good performer, I assume at middle apertures. The color is surprisingly good. The Leica store in Berlin had told me that some older lenses did not perform well with an M or M9, although they were fine with film. So your lens is suitable for digital use. My local Leica dealer yesterday was poo-pooing 1950s 9 cm Elmars and 13.5 cm Hektors. I'll show him your pictures and he may not be so dismissive in future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordvik Posted September 13, 2014 Share #17 Posted September 13, 2014 I don't know about the color, I guess it's cold/blue like my 5cm Elmar. I have probably taken less than 100 pictures with this lens. It's soft and not very interesting out of focus. It's my only 90mm. Here are some pictures taken at close to 1m at f=4,0 (M8): Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233562-suggest-9-cm-screwmount-lens-for-iiif/?do=findComment&comment=2669041'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted September 14, 2014 Share #18 Posted September 14, 2014 I don't need wide apertures in 90 mm. What I'm asking is if you consider elmar 90/4 at the same level of summicron 90/2 from f:4 on.A dream lens would be thambar, but... The only one is the elmar 90/4 3 element... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironringer Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted September 23, 2014 In my search for a late (1955 or newer) screwmount Elmar 9 cm, I was able to try a 1957 example (s/n 1497xxx) of this lens in Fair-Good condition (optics and cosmetics). I took a few test pictures, but I will not see the results-scans until the roll is finished. The aperture and focus rings seemed loose to me, compared to my 5 cm Summitar. Can users of the 1950s 9 cm Elmar tell me how their lens control rings "feel"? Are there click stops on the aperture ring? Can the control rings be adjusted for a tighter feel, during a CLA service? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 23, 2014 Share #20 Posted September 23, 2014 So... ought to be like this one... (JC... copyright is yours...I hope you don't mind if I post here... ) It has the click stops (only at full apertures - not half) and usually the focusing is really smooth : anyway, is an easy to maintain lens, and a CLA can tak care of those details. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233562-suggest-9-cm-screwmount-lens-for-iiif/?do=findComment&comment=2676443'>More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.