Macro Elmar 90mm f/4 Set; Some Observations

[Stealth3kpl]

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Compared to an Elmarit-M f/2.8 it is just a little soft in the corners. 2011.04.01 Meditation Point Views - winklers' Photos

 

Best, K-H.

Which Elmarit is this?

Pete

[k-hawinkler]

K-H the lens is just a month old. Perhaps some improvement has been made in those 50 years. Here's an image of today at f/4: http://www.photoplaza.nl/lindolfi/blogimageslarge/tissingenvriend.jpg

 

 

Hi Lindolfi,

 

Thanks for the image. Another terrific one that brings a smile to my face. They look like old friends chatting entertainingly. I doubt they even noticed you up to this point.

 

I really like the color combination of coat and shoes - shall we say daring - the cigarette and smoke, and the white paint on the dark pants; savoir vivre at display in the no doubt very pleasant, well known university town of Groningen - reminds me of my alma mater Göttingen in the Seventies.

 

Thanks for leaving in the Exif and GPS data.

 

Yup, your lens must be improved relative to much older versions, I would think particularly in image corners. As 90 mm is a fun focal length for me (although there isn't a focal length I don't appreciate), I like taking images with Elmars, Elmarits, and Summicrons made in the 1950s through the 1990s.

 

Best, K-H.

[k-hawinkler]

Which Elmarit is this?

Pete

 

 

Hi Pete,

 

It's the Leica 90mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M that was apparently made from 1990-2008.

My copy is from 1997.

 

Best, K-H.

[Kherberos]

Looking for informations on this lens, I found something in the M8 forum about the macro attachment, then found this thread in which my questions should be more at home, if I may say.

 

So, this will actually be my second post, and is kind of a clone of what I was posting in the M8 thread, and it has to be on the "locking" matter of the MEM.

 

I am considering to get a MEM for my MP 0.85. I am archaeologist, and need both a very compact WA lens and a very compact "tele" lens for my field work.

 

I had the occasion to test a MEM in like new condition, with the macro mount, and while I was to purchase it, something prevent me to do so:

 

I had no problem locking the front element when extended by twisting it clockwise, and it seems to be very reliably locked in position. But when retracted back in resting position, I was not able to have it stay that way. This means that when moving (and when you are on the field, you move), the front part of the lens tends to moves out all by itself from the focussing base. Is this normal ? Or does the front part should be firmly keeping its retracted position? Is there something I am missing?

 

I have several collapsible lenses (3 : an old elmar 50mm, a summitar, and a 50/3.5 heliar), all of them are staying in retracted position when you leave them that way.

 

With the sole and only MEM I had the occasion to manipulate, just tilting the lens a bit (this happens a lot when you are walking) provokes, 2 times out of 3, the tube to extend by itself. I feel this very anoying, as when you move, camera out its bag, and lens attached, you don't want things to change their form factor all by themselves.

 

Thank You for any information you may provide!

 

Laurent

[Hakku]

I had no problem locking the front element when extended by twisting it clockwise, and it seems to be very reliably locked in position. But when retracted back in resting position, I was not able to have it stay that way. This means that when moving (and when you are on the field, you move), the front part of the lens tends to moves out all by itself from the focussing base. Is this normal ? Or does the front part should be firmly keeping its retracted position? Is there something I am missing?

 

Laurent

 

Sorry to say, this appears to be 'normal'. At least my copy of the ME 90 does the same. I wished it would take a firmer position when retracted, would give a better feeling, but unfortunately it does't.

 

At least I'm now somewhat relieved to learn that this seems to be no singular flaw on just my copy but more a general 'feature' of this lens type.

 

H.

[wda]

Thanks K-H!

Contrary to its name, the Macro-Elmar 90/4 keeps on delivering very crisp images at all distances. This one Is from Saturday: http://www.photoplaza.nl/lindolfi/blogimageslarge/boegsprietschilderen.jpg

This is a fine picture with human interest. It would have been interesting to see how much more background defocusing would result from using the 90mm Elmarit-M at f/2.8. I realize you were not out for shooting comparison pictures.

[Kherberos]

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Thank You very much Hakku,

 

Finally, I ended up contacting the official Leica Store in Paris. I could not help wanting and inquiring for an official information on this, as I feel it ruins the "collapsible" characteristic as an advantage. Plus Leica has a long history with perfect collapsible lenses.

 

The answer from le Leica people was clear: this is not a"normal feature" of the lens. When retracted, it should hold firmly its position. They are ordering some macro sets and they promised to show me this. As for now, New, the lens is only available in the macro set. Quite expensive.

 

Leica telling me this could explain why, even in as new looking condition, the MEM with its attachment I had the occasion to handle was "only" 2000 euros.

 

So Hakku, may be you could ask your official Leica representation to do something with your lens. This is probably a "welle known issue"…

[wda]

Sorry to say, this appears to be 'normal'. At least my copy of the ME 90 does the same. I wished it would take a firmer position when retracted, would give a better feeling, but unfortunately it does't.

 

At least I'm now somewhat relieved to learn that this seems to be no singular flaw on just my copy but more a general 'feature' of this lens type.

 

H.

Interesting. A few months ago I had a frustrating experience when trying to buy a fine used 90MM Macro set from a good dealer. It had two problems: focusing inaccuracy and failure to lock in the extended position. The dealer sent it to Leica, at his expense. Months later it was returned to me. Focusing was precise, but the locking problem had not been addressed. Merely adjusting the aperture ring was sufficient to unlock the lens rendering accurate focusing impossible. I am afraid I lost confidence in the lens and declined to purchase it. I presume it resurfaced somewhere in the market, hopefully having made a second trip to Leica. So perhaps this is an occasional weakness of this lens.

[tgray]

Thank You very much Hakku,

 

Finally, I ended up contacting the official Leica Store in Paris. I could not help wanting and inquiring for an official information on this, as I feel it ruins the "collapsible" characteristic as an advantage. Plus Leica has a long history with perfect collapsible lenses.

 

I don't have my MEM with me right now, but it does NOT positively lock in the collapsed position. However, the mere act of turning it face down does not cause mine to extend. On the other hand, it might extend a bit if I shook it hard.

 

Also, mine does lock pretty firmly in the extended position. I've never had an issue of it accidentally unlocking while using it.

[EricC]

+1

[Kherberos]

Thank You for the feed back. This sounds good, comparatively to what I experienced with the lens I had in my hands few days ago.

 

And it is more or less what the Leica people told me.

 

So, in the end, I'd better purchase one new from leica, just to make sure everything is fine from the start.

[Delfi_r]

I'm a fan of all retractable lenses. I agree that The Macro Elmarit it's the only one that I have that doesn't lock in retractad position. There is a design flaw, there is no way to protect the movement of the front element. In this aspect is diffrent from the Elmar-M 50 mm or the first Summicron 50 mm.

 

But in the extended position, it works as designed and never unlocks accidentally. For the results it's a superb lens, in macro work, in close-up or at infinity.

[Nick_S]

I have just ordered this lens. It seems that Leica now only supply the complete macro set. When it arrives, I'll keep an eye how loose the lens is in relation to sliding open by itself.

 

I am looking forward to using this little travelling companion.

 

Nick

[Lindolfi]

My 90mm macro elmar does not slide out unwanted by gravity or movements that normally occur during handling of the camera. The lens has quickly become a favourite and when I bring a 2 lens bag, that 90 mm is part of it.

[swamiji]

I have the Macro Elmar, and have the adjustment problem. I have attempted the correction at the beginning of this thread. I have to ask what tool did the OP use to loosen the the ring? I have tried and failed... with a little scratch in the ring to boot....

 

If you want real macro with the M, you need a Visoflex, bellows and a Photar lens.

[Lindolfi]

Swamiji, I have adapted a small marking gauge by filing down the two small hands at the back side that are used to measure the inside of tubes for instance. If you take off the very tips the hands will sink down well into the tiny holes of the ring and you can safely turn without scratching. You need some torque, so stabilizing of the unit on a thin mousemat is essential.

[Paul Verrips]

K-H the lens is just a month old. Perhaps some improvement has been made in those 50 years. Here's an image of today at f/4: http://www.photoplaza.nl/lindolfi/blogimageslarge/tissingenvriend.jpg

 

Nice photo!

[hoppyman]

I showed these previously from my Macro Elmar 90. Two ends of its spectrum for me.

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

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

 

Mine (2004 vintage) is actually back in Solms currently. It was new/old stock bought last year and Customer Service are performing a CLA to M8/9 standards and adjusting a slightly sticky focus action, both under my warranty as original purchaser. It will have a new owner on its return as I promised and thought I could get a dSLR and macro for the same money. I tried those for a month and hated them to use.

Meanwhile I have passed the old Elmar to another member who is happy with it and I got back my Elmar M that had gone to Spain.....NEVER sell Leica lenses, even to buy more Leica lenses. I replaced the Tele Elmar 135 I sold too!

[Sam.Yeung]

Hi, thanks for your informative thread. But, I don't get your meaning for adjustment with macro adapter. I'm struggling when I shoot with the adapter since the focus point is obviously closer. Can you please explain more, or maybe include some photos to express it. Many thanks!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Doc Henry]

Sam, for macrophotography,you must have a magnifier x 1.25 at a right angle, for focus

(see photo, in the background, at the viewfinder)

 

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!

 

and an example here "daisy" in macrophoto

 

 

M8 + 90ME + Macro-Adapter+monopod

Best

Henry

Look also at my post n°3 of this thread

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