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"Fat" Tele-Elmarit Flare


lct

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I no longer possess my 1st version 90mm Tele-Elmarit which I owned for 45 years, but I do not recall flare being a problem. However, I rarely used it in studio conditions or for shooting directly towards the light source.

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Not a problem for me either. I used this lens (thin version) extensively during a recent family trip to Cuba in a variety of conditions, mostly sunny, strong light, etc. with no flare at all. However, I must say the reversible hood was always attached. The hood itself is very large compared to the diminutive size of the lens itself, but there must be a good reason for that. Do you use a hood?

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I've been using my "thin" T-E for 30+ years now and whatever hood i may use, shooting light sources, let alone into the sun, causes flare irremediably. My Summicrons and Elmarit 90 have not this problem, at least to that extent, but i'm after a smaller lens and i wonder if the "fat" T-E is any better than the "thin" one from this standpoint. Or should i consider the current Summarit instead?

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My experience is that the Fat 90 TE is less variable than the thin version. So yes and no.

 

The thin version can be very crisp - or it can flare badly contrajour or if there is bright sky on the edge of the frame. The Fat version has a lower base contrast overall (more elements, older coatings) but doesn't get the really heavy veiling flare of the thin at its worst. The Fat version didn't have quite the same definition of edges as the thin did when it was behaving itself - but it was a small difference. Possibly the fat version has more CA - I don't recall.

 

I stuck with my thin 90 TE, despite the occasional heavy flare, because it had perfect focus. It was the one and only M tele I ever owned that focused exactly throughout the range with every single body I ever put it on (M4-2, M4-P, M4, M6, M6ttl, M8, M9) - which was worth more than gold. I only sold it once I moved to the M9, when I realized I had gotten used to the M8 crop, and preferred a 75/135 combo on the M9 instead of a 90 of any kind.

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I don't recall flare problems with the fat Tele-Elmarit, but it wasn't all that sharp. An Elmarit was bigger but lighter and sharper and would be my recommendation if you want to get away from the skinny Tele-Elmarit.

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Thanks Andy and Howard. Yes to get a small lens (smaller than Elmarit i mean) the alternative seems to be "thin" T-E with flare, "fat" T-E with less flare but less sharpness as well or Summarit 90/2.5. Do you know if the latter has a sloping focus cam?

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My "fat" Tele-Elmarit is quite sharp, though not modern AA sharp :)

 

It does flare very easily IMO, but as Andy said, veiling flare isn't so bad. Still it's "worse" than any of the modern lenses, I think. I do love the contrast signature though.

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...Or should i consider the current Summarit instead?

A 90 Summarit would be a leap into the modern age. I have the 75 Summarit which is superb. However, do read Thorsten's report on the 90mm Summarit. He seemed to like it. (Sorry, don't have the link but it is easy to find)

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The Elmarit's hood is not as useless as i expected so i think i will follow Howard's advice finally. Thanks folks for your help.

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Stupid as i am, i just realize that the Elmarit 11807 is almost as bulky as my Summicron 90 while i'm after a small lens. :rolleyes: What else then? The old 90/4 collapsible is quite sharp but cannot collapse on the M8, the Elmar-C 90/4 is very close to the thin Tele-Elmarit but is said to flare much as well. Remain the Summarit 90/2.5 and the Macro-Elmar 90/4. Pity that the Summarit has not a built-in or reversible hood. Small and slow vs taller and faster, apple vs orange... Do you know if the Summarit 90/2.5 has a sloping focus cam folks?

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What's your issue on the Summarit cam ? I have the 75 and it fits fine all my M bodies... I suppose the same for the 90.

 

Btw... I have the "fat" TE and never experienced significant flare (using the hood)... and used it really a lot for many years... given its fine compactness, considered it my standard 90 (now I use a 11807... excellent but undoubtly heavy and bulky)

Probably the modern collapsible Elmar is the best... (Puts says so): of course, has its own i$$ue... ;), but was someway tempted by this one, for sale at a very good dealer I know well... Newoldcamera - Scheda prodotto

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Hi Luigi i'm not afraid of sloping cams on wides (40/2, 35/2.5) fut i fear some focus inaccuracy on teles in the long term. I may be wrong but i'd like to know the truth about this. Otherwise the current 90/4 is tempting indeed but slow. Thanks for your dealer's address anyway.

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Hi Luigi i'm not afraid of sloping cams on wides (40/2, 35/2.5) fut i fear some focus inaccuracy on teles in the long term. I may be wrong but i'd like to know the truth about this. Otherwise the current 90/4 is tempting indeed but slow. Thanks for your dealer's address anyway.

 

My fat TE will flare, especially wide open, most lenses will, kept it for the low contrast pastel colors. The CV f/2.5 or Summarit are the simplest options but large, the CV does not have a reversible hood, donno about the Summarit. I needed the CV for LTM cameras, and it was cheap.

 

Noel

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My "fat" Tele-Elmarit is quite sharp, though not modern AA sharp :)

 

It does flare very easily IMO, but as Andy said, veiling flare isn't so bad. Still it's "worse" than any of the modern lenses, I think. I do love the contrast signature though.

 

+1. I've been shooting the "fat" T-E this week on my new M9-P, and the results are very positive. Yes, not as sharp as modern lenses, but quite sharp. I use the 12575 hood (I think it is also called IUFOO), and it seems to do a very acceptable job.

 

So far I'm really pleased with this lens. It let's me carry a 90mm that's the same size as my 50 Summilux ASPH.

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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!

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Finally ordered a Macro-Elmar 90/4 to complement my f/2 and f/2.8 lenses. Will be interesting to compare it to the venerable Elmar 90/4 collapsible. Thanks again folks for your imputs.

 

Compliments !! (Always a PLEASURE to buy a new lens... ;)) : have you got the macro adapter too ?

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...Always a PLEASURE to buy a new lens...

Tell this to my wife, she says my home office looks like a photo shop... :rolleyes:

Just ordered the lens for travelling light. I use a Macro-Elmarit-R 60/2.8 for my rare macro works.

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