90mm Lens for M2

[Doug A]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The only thing I use the Nikon F for anymore is shooting with the 105mm f2.5 lens. Once I have a 90mm lens for the M2 I can put the Nikon away once and for all. Looking at my B&W photos shot with the 105mm, both from 40 years ago and recently, about half are available light indoor shots with the lens wide open and half are outdoor shots with the lens well stopped down. Many of the latter are of traffic on the river.

 

Much of the appeal of the M2 for me is the connection with its time period. Lenses from the same era appeal to me for the same reason. One possibility I've considered is to buy both a 90mm Summicron for indoor work where I don't care about the weight of the lens and a 90mm Elmar for outdoors where I don't care about the maximum aperture.

 

The other option I am thinking about is to go modern with a 90mm Elmarit-M or Tele Elmarit-M. It looks like the cost might be similar to that of the other two lenses combined.

 

Any thoughts or comments?

[earleygallery]

I really like my 9cm f4 Elmar.

 

The one made for the CL (or Minolta equivalent) is another good lens. Don't forget the Voigtlander as well.

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!

[}{B]

The 90mm F4 Elmar collapsible is a very compact lens collapsed and when paired with a collapsible 50mm makes for a very portable outfit.

[bocaburger]

PO: I don't know if you are aware, but Nikon made the 105/2.5 in Leica screw mount, which can be used on an M body with a 90mm/9cm bayonet adapter. The rather conservative 90mm frame lines serve the 105 very nicely. I have one of those lenses, it's a beautifully made piece, no hazing or coating deterioration even after more than 50 years. Even has a useful tripod thread, and the lens takes the ubiquitous 52mm filters. They do pop up from time to time on the auction site. The original shade is hard to come by, but the clip-on shade meant for the earlier F-mount versions (before they included the telescoping shade) works fine.

[Michael Hiles]

I have had many wonderful years with my 90mm Elmar (3 element) from the late 1960s. They are not very common, and fetch good money. Very sharp, great colour rendition, good contrast (not too much, not too little).

[bill]

The 90mm F4 Elmar collapsible is a very compact lens collapsed and when paired with a collapsible 50mm makes for a very portable outfit.

 

I have one of these and it is a great match for the M2. You can often pick them up for a song with haze in the lens cell. It is a relatively easy job to remove the front ring then the holding ring and get at the elements that need to be cleaned. I did exactly that with the lens I have, saving myself at least £100 on the purchase price. All it took was a rubber ferrule (of the sort on the end of a walking stick) and a pair of the right sized circlip pliers. a steady hand and some patience.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[menos I M6]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I really like my 9cm f4 Elmar.

 

The one made for the CL (or Minolta equivalent) is another good lens. Don't forget the Voigtlander as well.

 

Wonderful shot!

[anabasis]

I am very happy with my Elmarit-M. I got it used for a good price. IQ is great for my RF work. It is relatively small, fairly fast, and excellent build. I also like the built-in sliding hood.

 

JCA

[UliWer]

I have one of these and it is a great match for the M2. You can often pick them up for a song with haze in the lens cell. It is a relatively easy job to remove the front ring then the holding ring and get at the elements that need to be cleaned. I did exactly that with the lens I have, saving myself at least £100 on the purchase price. All it took was a rubber ferrule (of the sort on the end of a walking stick) and a pair of the right sized circlip pliers. a steady hand and some patience.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Can you collapse the old 4/90 Elmar in a digital M?

 

Or is it the modern Macro-Elmar.

[Doug A]

I bought a collapsable 90/4 Elmar from Tamarkin. It's very solid feeling and it looks the part with the M2. Based on the Elmar's weight and how big it feels on the M2 I don't think I would have been happy with a Summicron. I'll look into table-top tripods and other ways to steady the camera for low light portraits.

 

--Doug

 

 

[jaapv]

Can you collapse the old 4/90 Elmar in a digital M?

 

 

NO!!

[bill]

Can you collapse the old 4/90 Elmar in a digital M?

 

Can't say I care, old chap

 

Regards,

 

Bill