Macro Elmar 90mm f4 and M9

[pig882009]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I want to buy a second hand Macro Elmar 90mm f4 from Ebay. It is an interesting lens that I really like to give it a try.

 

I am aware that Elamr made between 1954 - 1968 with retractable tube can't be fitted in M9. All Ebay seller would only provide the serial numebr for the lens. None of the seller could identify the manufacture date of the lens.

 

My questions are:

 

- Is there any Macro Elamr lens that I could use on my M9. I DO NOT want to damage my precious Leica camera.

 

- How can I identify the manufacture date for the lens if I have its serial number.

 

many thanks.

[EricC]

There is only one Macro Elmar M 90mm f4 lens.

 

This one : Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA MACRO-ELMAR-M 90 mm f/4

 

and that works perfectly on the M9 and is designed to be collapsed on all Leica M bodies.

[swamiji]

Don't forget to get the macro adapter with it. Otherwise its simply a really compact 90mm.

[MarkP]

Hi Pig,

 

the following site will allow you to match the lens serial number with manufacture date:

LeicaLenses serial number and production year - Leica Objektiv Serienummer

 

Best of luck if you get the lens,

Mark

[Brian Bower]

Hello,

I have an early example of the Macro-Elmar, the serial number is 396XXXX from 2003 when the lens was introduced. It really is an excellent performer as well as being very light and compact. It is also the closest focussing Leica '90' even without the Macro-Adapter (it goes down to 0.8 metre as against the 1 metre of the others). It's a favourite of mine when travelling light and I use it with a collapsible rubber lens hood that really belongs to my Tele-Elmarit (MkII). I find that this is much more compact and convenient than the standard hood that comes with it.

 

When you get in really close with the Macro-Adapter you might find that a viewfinder magnifier is helpful for accurate focus. You will be surprised at just how narrow the depth of field is.

 

Hope this helps .

 

Brian B.

[earful]

as indicated above, there is really only one 90mm macro-elmar, and it is selling used on ebay at or above the cost of a new lens. i gather the non-set model has been discontinued, but there are still a few online retailers with some stock. i ordered one recently and it appears to be on its way to me. unlike the used ebay models, it comes with a full warranty. i think you might be better off looking for a new lens.

[dritz]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

It's a keeper, easy to use, and beautiful in its rendering. I recently hosted a slide show and the 90 was noted for its exceptional 3-D rendering (the guests are highly accomplished photographers).

[Shac]

I'll second the kudos for the 90 4 macro - excellent IQ even wide open - an excellent travel lens as others have commented.

I don't have the closeup adapter, but use it with the visoflex (both extended and collapsed)

[k-hawinkler]

I'll second the kudos for the 90 4 macro - excellent IQ even wide open - an excellent travel lens as others have commented.

I don't have the closeup adapter, but use it with the visoflex (both extended and collapsed)

 

Hi Shac,

 

Thanks. Really clever.

For which distances do you get focus that way?

In the collapsed use, can you focus to infinity?

 

Best, K-H.

[thighslapper]

as indicated above, there is really only one 90mm macro-elmar, and it is selling used on ebay at or above the cost of a new lens. i gather the non-set model has been discontinued, but there are still a few online retailers with some stock. i ordered one recently and it appears to be on its way to me. unlike the used ebay models, it comes with a full warranty. i think you might be better off looking for a new lens.

 

I agree.

 

New is not that hard to find. It is well worth it.

 

Great lens that produces fabulous images. A permanent fixture in my bag when I go out.

 

Two tips though - the case for the macro adapter is far too big - I got myself a leather zippable mobile phone case that is much better......

 

and the supplied hood is a pain - too big to leave on and the mechanism scratches the lens housing eventually when reversing it for storage - get a cheap rubber collapsible one and leave if permanently attached instead.

[luigi bertolotti]

Far from Australia... ... but in Milano there is one for sale at this very trustable shop - NO macro adapter included : Newoldcamera - Scheda prodotto

[Doc Henry]

Pig,

For serial number look at here :

Google Traduction

I have a new macroElmar 90mm+ macro adapter to make macrophotography with my M9 or M8.

But when I traveled, I took only macroElmar (without adapter) because it is more practical

and not heavy (I travel light)

You can have great pictures with this lens with or without adapter

Best

Henry

with macroadapter :

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/75374-orchids-winter.html

without adapter:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/135981-lotus-blossom.html

[earful]

mine arrived today. black. new old stock, including all paperwork that goes back to before leica apparently cancelled the additional extendable warranty offer for m cameras. looks beautiful. try new york camera and video; they claim to have more, including in chrome.

[Shac]

K-H - yes you can focus with or without the lens extended when mounted directly in the Viso.

A “quick and dirty” check just now (dimensions are approximate) gives the following:

With Lens collapsed

- Lens set at “infinity” – object size is 5.25” (13.4 cm), with object to front of lens distance of 18” (46 cm)

- Lens set at 0.8m – object size is 3.25” (8.3cm) , with object to front of lens distance of 12” (30.5 cm)

 

With Lens extended

- Lens set at “infinity” – object size is 2.75” (7 cm), with object to front of lens distance of 11” (28 cm)

- Lens set at 0.8m – object size is 2.1” (5.2 cm), with object to front of lens distance of 9” (19 cm)

 

So only a small magnification discontinuity between the lens collapsed and extended

Hope this helps

David

[k-hawinkler]

K-H - yes you can focus with or without the lens extended when mounted directly in the Viso.

A “quick and dirty” check just now (dimensions are approximate) gives the following:

With Lens collapsed

- Lens set at “infinity” – object size is 5.25” (13.4 cm), with object to front of lens distance of 18” (46 cm)

- Lens set at 0.8m – object size is 3.25” (8.3cm) , with object to front of lens distance of 12” (30.5 cm)

 

With Lens extended

- Lens set at “infinity” – object size is 2.75” (7 cm), with object to front of lens distance of 11” (28 cm)

- Lens set at 0.8m – object size is 2.1” (5.2 cm), with object to front of lens distance of 9” (19 cm)

 

So only a small magnification discontinuity between the lens collapsed and extended

Hope this helps

David

 

 

Hi David,

 

Many thanks.

With one or more OUFRO/16469 rings I suppose one could close the gap and get even closer.

Very interesting.

 

Best, K-H.

[swamiji]

With one or more OUFRO/16469 rings I suppose one could close the gap and get even closer.

 

Or with the Bellows....

 

Very Interesting indeed.

[Shac]

K-H - yes the OUFRO/16469should do the trick - although the difference between the object size an minimum focus collapsed and the max obect size when the lens is extended is quite small

 

Samiji - hmm - the bellows would be interesting as well but obv. for greater magnification

 

Good luck

David

[frank_dernie]

I agree.

 

New is not that hard to find. It is well worth it.

 

Great lens that produces fabulous images. A permanent fixture in my bag when I go out.

 

Two tips though - the case for the macro adapter is far too big - I got myself a leather zippable mobile phone case that is much better......

 

and the supplied hood is a pain - too big to leave on and the mechanism scratches the lens housing eventually when reversing it for storage - get a cheap rubber collapsible one and leave if permanently attached instead.

 

The only shortcoming of this lens is a tendency to flare IME. Personally I would never use it without the supplied hood which is an excellent match to the viewing angle of the lens, as would be expected.

 

I would advise -against- a third party rubber hood personally unless it protects the lens as well as the standard hood from stray light.

 

OTOH I agree that it scratches the lens where it mounts, but all the Leica hoods I own do that except the rubber one for my Tele-Elmarit 90mm, which is not very effective as a hood...

cheers

[tobey bilek]

My two favorite lenses are the last 50 and 90 collapsibles. Not because they collapse, but because they are small and light and travel well.

 

If I took pics in dark alleys, they would not be my choice. But I don`t.

 

I add the 35 2.0 version 4 for wide and call it a nearly perfect outfit for me.

 

For digital, I would get the latest 35 2.0.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[thighslapper]

The only shortcoming of this lens is a tendency to flare IME. Personally I would never use it without the supplied hood which is an excellent match to the viewing angle of the lens, as would be expected.

 

I would advise -against- a third party rubber hood personally unless it protects the lens as well as the standard hood from stray light.

 

OTOH I agree that it scratches the lens where it mounts, but all the Leica hoods I own do that except the rubber one for my Tele-Elmarit 90mm, which is not very effective as a hood...

cheers

 

In practical use I can't say I've noticed any real difference...... and you can also use a normal lens cap which is handy. I found the supplied hood arrangement such a nuisance that I tended to forget it anyway, so a rubber collapsible hood that is always used is better than one that gets left off most of the time ..... anyway, each to his own......