Leica 90mm f/4 Macro Elmar-M?

[stump4545]

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what is the story with this lens, great performer?

 

readily available new or used?

 

i take i need the angled viewfinder and macro adapter for this lens to work in macro?

 

 

thank you.

[tgray]

I've enjoyed mine while I've had it. Without the adapter or finder attachment, it's a perfectly functional slow 90. Great for travel. It focuses pretty close even without the adapter.

 

With the adapter, it definitely expands the capabilities of an M setup. It's pretty straightforward to use. Yeah you'll hear people talk about parallax error with backgrounds, etc., but for what it is, it's pretty useful. Obviously for 'serious' macro, use an SLR, but if you are packing light, the 90 Macro + adapter really gives you some options that you wouldn't have otherwise.

 

I found that I only rarely used the viewfinder attachment. When I did though, it was useful. You do not need it for macro. In fact, I find it easier to use without the finder attachment while hand holding the camera. On the tripod, the viewfinder magnifier is pretty useful.

 

The last trip I took to Japan, the 90 Macro went with my while my new 75 Summilux stayed at home.

 

Here's some photos I've taken with it:

Flickr: ezwal's stuff tagged with leicamacroelmar90mmf40

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[algrove]

It's a perfect travel lens. Not slow if your outdoors most of the time and to me it's sharp. I use the angled VF always when shooting macro. It has such a small footprint.

[Bobu]

readily available new or used?

 

 

No, they are very difficult to get at the moment, according to my dealer even more difficult than for example the 50 Lux Asph or the 35 Lux FLE.

 

Even used they are difficult to find. I was trying to find one at reasonable price for about 3 month. Two days ago I finally bought one on Ebay for a much too high price, but I needed it for an trip in the next weeks.

 

Boris

[Lindolfi]

Stump4545, see here for a review I wrote some time ago. Great lens.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/171217-macro-elmar-90mm-f-4-set.html

[kokoshawnuff]

You'll get killed trying to get this lens on eBay (I've been keeping an eye on them for a while now), but Tamarkin—a sponsor of this forum—has a mint one with the adapter, boxes and a one year warranty for $3795 which is a decent price in this market.

[stump4545]

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thanks for the leads and info.

[lct]

My best slow 90 ever. Hard to imagine that it may be outdated any day.

[kokoshawnuff]

My best slow 90 ever. Hard to imagine that it may be outdated any day.

 

If leica comes out and says it's 'outdated' (by discontinuing it or making a faster ASPH version), then I'll finally be able to afford one

[haroldp]

I have not used the 90mm f/4 Macro Elmar-M, but I regularly use the 90mm f/4 Elmar-C and think it is as good at it's available apertures as the Elmarit-M which is my favorite all-around leica 90. The Elmar-C should be reasonably available, but it is not a macro lens.

I have a pre-asph summicron which is amazing, but I rarely need F2, and use it mostly for portraits.

 

... H

[lct]

I have not used the 90mm f/4 Macro Elmar-M, but I regularly use the 90mm f/4 Elmar-C and think it is as good at it's available apertures as the Elmarit-M...

Flares much more than Elmarit and Macro-Elmarit in my experience. Pity as it is quite a handy lens aside from that.

[lct]

If leica comes out and says it's 'outdated' (by discontinuing it or making a faster ASPH version), then I'll finally be able to afford one

The old collapsible Elmar 90/4 from the fivetees is still my favorite slow 90 after the Macro-Elmar and is not expensive at all. Flares more than the latter though, but less so than both Elmar-C 90/4 and Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8. FWIW.

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[hoppyman]

Yes, great performer,

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

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

 

No, not easy (or very cheap) to find

 

the angle finder is also a magnifier and both functions are very helpful.

 

Without the macro adapter it still focuses closer than the other 90's. It's not a true 'macro' but it does add useful additional capability with the adapter.

[microview]

No, they are very difficult to get at the moment, according to my dealer even more difficult than for example the 50 Lux Asph or the 35 Lux FLE.

 

Dale Photographic UK lists the lens as 'in stock" at this time (£2550).

Edited January 26, 2012 by microview

[gad356]

Great lens. The macro feature is really fun to use. I use it to take photos of my reef tank

[algrove]

Flares much more than Elmarit and Macro-Elmarit in my experience. Pity as it is quite a handy lens aside from that.

 

I've only taken 800 shots with this lens, but never had it flare on me so far. Bought it new.

 

Just happen to remember the Pro Shop in West Pam Beach has had one for some time. Still might be there.

[lct]

I should have said that i have no experience with the Elmar-C 90/4 so i may be wrong sorry.

[thighslapper]

Fantastic lens ....... all my images with this both normal and macro are consistently good....

 

My 90/2 hasn't been out of the house since I bought the 90/4.

 

This is one of a handful of lenses I will never sell. The 90/2 will be going instead.

 

Being short and light, handholding at quite slow speeds is possible - which offsets the modest aperture....

 

ps. never had cause to use the angled finder, handy though it no doubt is....

Edited January 27, 2012 by thighslapper

[carcam]

I'd been looking for one for a long time and happened across one at photo village 2 years ago. Small, light, cool looking and incredibly sharp, even at f4. I had focusing issues with the other 90's and I guess the f4 makes up for that. It's the perfect travel lens in good light.

I don't use it in macro mode but it still focuses closer than other M lenses. It will probably be the last lens I sell. Highly recommend it- good luck finding one.

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[MarkP]

You'll get killed trying to get this lens on eBay (I've been keeping an eye on them for a while now), but Tamarkin—a sponsor of this forum—has a mint one with the adapter, boxes and a one year warranty for $3795 which is a decent price in this market.

 

Thanks so much for that:).

 

After communication with Dan Tamarkin regarding the condition of the set (only a few minor marks on outer knurled ring from the hood when inverted) I just bought it (at an even more decent price with the AUD/USD exchange rate).

 

...advance birthday present:rolleyes:

 

Regards,

Mark

Edited January 29, 2012 by MarkP