india42 Posted September 16, 2010 Share #1 Posted September 16, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a question about the production dates based on the serial numbers. I looked at 2 lenses, both looked to be of the same design. They both had the built in lens hood, however when I looked up the dates for the serial numbers one is a 346xxxx which looks like 1988, and the other is 386xxxx and that looks like 1999. They look the same, however I was under the impression that the newest design for this lens started in 1990. I would like to get the most recent version of this lens. Any help from some of the Leica experts on this forum would be fantastic!! Thank you... Paul P.S. - I hope I have posted this in the correct place Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 16, 2010 Posted September 16, 2010 Hi india42, Take a look here Elmarit-M 90mm Production Dates. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tdtaylor Posted September 16, 2010 Share #2 Posted September 16, 2010 I would recommend browsing Puts' Pocket guide, which gives the serial numbers for each lens by year. Downloads Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
india42 Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted September 16, 2010 Thanks Terry, I looked through the list and yes it does indeed confirm that the early serial number was from 1988. I also noticed that at the end of the guide it is clearly stated that the dates are not necessarily the actual production dates, however the date that the serial numbers were allocated for that particular lens. So I guess the real question is...are the 2 lenses I looked at of the same optical design? Does anyone out there know if there is a way to tell (for example, 'If they both have the built in lens hood, they are the same' etc.)? I also noticed in the pocket guide that the numbers went from the '1987 Tele-Elmarit' to the '1988 Elmarit-M'. Am I to assume that this is the design update I'm looking for (you know what happens when you assume!!)? Thanks again, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted September 16, 2010 Share #4 Posted September 16, 2010 ...I looked at 2 lenses, both looked to be of the same design. They both had the built in lens hood, however when I looked up the dates for the serial numbers one is a 346xxxx which looks like 1988, and the other is 386xxxx and that looks like 1999. They look the same, however I was under the impression that the newest design for this lens started in 1990. I would like to get the most recent version of this lens... The last version (# 11807) has been launched in 1988 or 1989 AFAIK but everybody does not agree on that since Leica themselves state that the lens has been delivered from 1990. It is probably an error as i seem to recall that Modern Photography tested the lens in 1989 but i'm not sure of that. Also Dennis Laney describes it as a "New lens 1989" (Leica Lens Practice). Anyhow it is not difficult to recognize the last version as it is the only Elmarit 90mm with built-in hood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anabasis Posted September 16, 2010 Share #5 Posted September 16, 2010 The Tele-elmarit is the older design and is smaller. The Elmarit-M is the newer version and was introduced in 1995. In E. Put's papers, he implies strongly that the tele-elmarit is an inferior design. Both have 4 elements, but are shaped differently. From the MTF graphs (for what they are worth) the newer designs show better corner resolution and less distortion, but more vignetting wide open. I have the Elmarit-M and it is a fine lens and I recommend it. It is small and fits my shooting needs for RF telephoto work. JCA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
india42 Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted September 17, 2010 Wow, some great information, even if it is a little confusing. The lenses I looked at both had built in hoods, and from what I could tell looked identical. I was a little confused by the comment that the Elmarit-M was introduced in 1995 (unless there was a new optical design in 1995). It sounds like I can't really go wrong with this lens. I would like to thank everyone for their Leica knowledge... THANK YOU!! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted September 17, 2010 Share #7 Posted September 17, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Nothing happened in 1995 AFAIK. If your lenses have a built-in hood they are both the last version 11807 (black anodized), 11808 (silver chrome) or 11899 (titanium). You might wish to download the Leica's technical data here: http://tinyurl.com/2wr77f4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
india42 Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted September 17, 2010 Great information, thank you lct!! I can make a purchase with an untroubled mind!! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted September 17, 2010 Share #9 Posted September 17, 2010 Sure no problem with good lenses like that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz_Hillbilly Posted September 18, 2010 Share #10 Posted September 18, 2010 I have one of the earlier uncoded elmarit m 2.8 90's (11807) that I bought second hand and I can honestly say it is one of my all time favourite lenses. Assuming it has been treated reasonably kindly, you simply can't go wrong. In my view - it's a match made in heaven, the best M Tele ever made! Hillbilly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted September 18, 2010 Share #11 Posted September 18, 2010 I am glad I have the Elmarit-M 90mm, but... why did Leica stop making it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
india42 Posted September 18, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted September 18, 2010 Good question, I understand that they replaced it with the Summarit line. I have not tried any of those lenses, however I did try a couple of different versions of the Elmarit. I was impressed with the performance of this most recent version. I really want this lens!! Thanks to everyone for all the input... Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted September 18, 2010 Share #13 Posted September 18, 2010 I have no experience with it but MTF graphs of the Summarit-M 90/2.5 (http://tinyurl.com/38wpn4v) look even better than those of the Elmarit-M 90/2.8 (http://tinyurl.com/2wr77f4). The Summarit vignettes a bit more though (dito). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 19, 2010 Share #14 Posted September 19, 2010 The Summarit can be indeed as good as the Elmarit-M, but, having the 75 (and the Elmarit M 90 too) I can by sure say that there are at least two details that make the Elmarit-M a better buy: 1) Hood : the screw-in of the Summarits makes its native compactness to fade away. 2) Mechanical robustness : after 3 years, my Summarit 75 has some "looseness" which probably doesn't impact its (excellent) performance, but is a bit annoying... my Elmarit-M 90 (bought used, older than the Summarit, of course) is rock-solid and with perfectly smooth movements of stop ring and focus throw. 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! 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/131486-elmarit-m-90mm-production-dates/?do=findComment&comment=1443302'>More sharing options...
ramosa Posted October 3, 2010 Share #15 Posted October 3, 2010 I have a question about the production dates based on the serial numbers. I looked at 2 lenses, both looked to be of the same design. They both had the built in lens hood, however when I looked up the dates for the serial numbers one is a 346xxxx which looks like 1988, and the other is 386xxxx and that looks like 1999. They look the same, however I was under the impression that the newest design for this lens started in 1990. I would like to get the most recent version of this lens. Any help from some of the Leica experts on this forum would be fantastic!! Thank you... Paul P.S. - I hope I have posted this in the correct place i tend to use this link for such matters: Leica Lens Serial Numbers and, indeed, it's scary that i lean on rockwell for anything of subtance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted October 3, 2010 Share #16 Posted October 3, 2010 This topic has made me investigate my 90 Elmarit-M purchased used 2008. According to Puts and Summilux.net this lens dates from 1991, in a batch of 1000 numbers allocated. This lens is in absolutely mint condition, no question about it, just like I bought it new. It did seem that if it was bought new around 1991 the previous owner can never have used it. Anyway I decided to investigate the box, which is a white box, not silver. On the side of the box is a sticker with bar code which states 'received 01/07/2008' and 'expected 00WKS'. This sticker might be from Leica UK or possibly the original selling dealer. Anyway to me it indicates that this lens was definitely made much nearer to 2008 than 1991. For info the serial number is 3555xxx. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted October 3, 2010 Share #17 Posted October 3, 2010 i tend to use this link for such matters: Leica Lens Serial Numbers and, indeed, it's scary that i lean on rockwell for anything of subtance It is very scary, I'd go with Puts. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
india42 Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share #18 Posted October 3, 2010 i tend to use this link for such matters: Leica Lens Serial Numbers and, indeed, it's scary that i lean on rockwell for anything of subtance I guess the verdict is that since Leica allocates serial numbers ahead od actual production, there really is no good way to tell when the lens was actually made. However I am confident that the lens I looked at is the latest design...so no issue. On the subject of Ken Rockwell...I must admit that I look at his site and he can sometimes be a little annoying, but there is some good information. One thing that drives me crazy about him is his complete dismissal of the M8 because of the cropped sensor, while at the same time his love of cameras like the Nikon D40, which has a smaller sensor than the M8 (I'm sure you figured out that I own an M8). OK, back to the Elmarit-M, Thanks to everyone for the interest! Just goes to show that this forum can be a fantastic resource for Leica users. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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