M9 + Elmarit 90mm f/2.8

[d2mini]

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So based on the reviews here, and my budget, I picked up a minty Elmarit 90 (latest version) for just over $1k USD. It showed up yesterday and although everything physically is truly MINT, it front focuses by a couple inches from what I can tell. And I have a trip coming up next weekend! So i'm shipping it off to Essex Camera in NJ. Hopefully it's a quick fix. The guys said they'd do their best to help me out. But now it's costing me another $300 between repair fees and overnight shipping. Tried setting the manual lens detection too, no difference. Should I have any problems with this lens or is there anything I'm missing?

 

I thought about returning it to the seller, but if the focus is repaired to perfect, it will be a SWEET lens. Even out of focus I'm liking the way it renders. Focus is pretty stiff though (definitely not a one-fingered rotation) so I'm having them look at that too, time permitting. I was surprised at how long of a focus throw there is compare to my 35 asph, but it seems like a real solid piece of glass.

 

 

Here's the best shot i could get, of the wife catching up on the day's tweets.

 

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[jaapv]

You are running into the wider tolerances that were possible in the film era. There are some lenses from that time that are simply outside the margins demanded by a sensor camera. Lens detection has, unfortunately, nothing to do with focussing accuracy. However, once set up properly, this is a lens that is capable of superb results, so you are right to hang onto it. The price you paid seems rather on the high side, though.

[d2mini]

The price you paid seems rather on the high side, though.

 

Ya from what I've seen in the past this is true, but i think that demand is high now and supply is surely low, at least here in the states. I could only find one other available at the same price. And the only other one or two I've seen out there were more expensive or not mint. Not long ago there were more available. But this was the best price I could find now.

 

I hope it's not just me, but every shot is consistently the same. What i focus on is out of focus and whatever is about 2" closer to me is nice and sharp. I was led to believe it was the better choice, over the new Summarit so I'm kinda bummed at the moment.

[jaapv]

I must admit I am gobsmacked. I bought a near- mint one at Meister camera two weeks ago for 699 Euro and they had two. Now I looked at the site and prices are up by 300 Euro. What is happening? Adorama had a very affordable one in the 600$ range ( I don't recall exactly), now they list 1129,--!

[Rick]

Nobody wants money anymore.

[thrice]

I wouldn't trust Adorama with a 90 Elmarit, they had one listed, even with the 11808 Leica part number for the Elmarit-M chrome, latest version.

 

I e-mailed to confirm and they said yes it was the same as the stock photo (correct picture for 11808) and I ordered the lens, only to receive an old tele-elmarit in chrome. Not such a bad thing considering the price but there was haze and I was angry at the deception so I sent it back.

 

I bought my current chrome one, like new in box, from a private seller, I paid $900 USD a few months ago. Like d2mini mine has rather stiff focus (I'm using it a lot to try and work it loose ) but focus is bang on, and easy to achieve with the M9.

 

(reminds me I should clone that bright bit at the top out)

[d2mini]

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I wouldn't trust Adorama with a 90 Elmarit, they had one listed, even with the 11808 Leica part number for the Elmarit-M chrome, latest version.

 

I e-mailed to confirm and they said yes it was the same as the stock photo (correct picture for 11808) and I ordered the lens, only to receive an old tele-elmarit in chrome. Not such a bad thing considering the price but there was haze and I was angry at the deception so I sent it back.

 

I bought my current chrome one, like new in box, from a private seller, I paid $900 USD a few months ago. Like d2mini mine has rather stiff focus (I'm using it a lot to try and work it loose ) but focus is bang on, and easy to achieve with the M9.

 

Adorama STILL lists a black one with the wrong info! I called them to check on it the other day. The price was too low for it to be the latest, but i figured I'd check anyway. Wrong photo and wrong specs, but the title of the item matched up with the price they were asking. You'd think they could get it right.

 

Nice pic btw. I wish mine was that sharp. Hopefully it will be by next week!

[adan]

Slightly OT, but I also got a "wrong" lens from Adorama. They showed a late-model 50 f/1.4 pre-ASPH with built-in shade - but sent an earlier version with the 1 meter focus limit. They took it back ( and refunded even the shipping) with no problem, though.

 

OT - one thing I never like about the last 90 Elmarit-M was the short focus throw. I always found it trickier to focus than my skinny Tele-Elmarit.

 

But it is a truism of RF photography that at any focal length above 50mm, you really have to just find a lens that plays nice with your body (or vice versa). The late Jim Marshall said that once he found a 90 that worked on one of his M3's, he never took it off again. Which explains the famouse Woodstock portrait of him covered with 6 Leica's - one for each focal length.

 

Used Leica lens prices are all over the place - I've seen APO 180-R f/3.4s advertised at anywhere from $499 to $1200 (all EX condition, so they say). But definitely creeping up.

 

(BTW, my local store has a silver 21 f/3.4 SA in M-mount, with shade and finder, for $1395 - most online seem to be closer to $2000. PM me if that is a deal you are looking for (Not an advert. I get nothing from the deal )