Favorite sleeper lenses?

[otto.f]

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Although I have a few superb Summicrons (35,50,65,90, etc.), I was surprised when my 90 Elmar f4 and 135 Elmar f4 were tested. Amazingly, they were a lot better than expected, despite their very simple optical designs. All of my lenses are the heavier chromed metal, no black plastic.

 

The 2 Elmars above sell used for just a few hundred dollars, even when in very nice condition. I find it hard to tell a reasonable quality difference in the images produced between my 90mm f4 Elmar and my 90mm Summicron f2, when both are shot at about f 5.6 to f 8

 

I should note that I am not in the habit of cropping to a small portion of an image, and then blowing up the remainder to a 16x20 print! (I do portrait and outdoor scenery photography.)

 

In fact it shouldn't surprise because in the '60s and '70s, it was quite difficult to make a faster lens better than a slower, also at higher aperture values. Only after the introduction of asphericals and floating elements it became more common that fast lenses can be very good too.

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[plewislambert]

Summicron C 40mm

Minolta M-Rokkor 90mm

Canon 35 2,8 LTM

Canon 50 1,2 LTM

 

I use the 40mm a lot on my M9 (the 35mm outline appears now it's been modified) but my Canon 50mm f1.4 seemed softer so I sold it. The 90mm Minolta Rokkor is as good as the 90mm f4 Elmar of the same era apparently but for rather more money I bought a TeleElmar f2.8. My 28mm Elmarit is the sharpest lens I have or maybe the most contrasty; the dearest, certainly.

Another cheap lens I have is the 135 f4 but it rarely gets used: I prefer the wide end more.

Philip:)

[jaques]

I think the greatest value- and most under-rated LTM lenses would have to be some of the Russian Jupiters. They can be had for peanuts but can produce pearls.

[Leicaiste]

The "fat" 2.8/90 Tele-Elmarit doesn't get as much respect as other 90mm Leica lenses, but I recently had it out on my M and found it did very well indeed. I shouldn't be surprised... Yes, it flares a bit when provoked.

 

 

Yes it flares easily.

 

To bad. It is such a beautifully designed lens (external design).

 

A silver chrome "fat" 2.8/90 Tele-Elmarit on a M3 is one of the most beautiful combination IMO.

 

And a great portrait lens when the sun is in your back.

[Leicaiste]

My favourite 'sleeper' lens has to be my " Leitz Tele-Elmarit -M 1:2.8 / 90mm Lens" S/No 3430489 and made in Germany in 1987.

 

 

The 90mm in my bag is the same but 12 numbers apart.

 

;-)

 

A great portrait lens, less prone to flare than the above mentioned fat T-E.

[Manolo Laguillo]

Rokkor 2/40

[mikebidwell]

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The 90mm in my bag is the same but 12 numbers apart.

 

;-)

 

A great portrait lens, less prone to flare than the above mentioned fat T-E.

 

Thats interesting, when I did a search for my serial number it came up against a different lens, You might like to check out the thread I raised against my query, the link to which is below. It does make interesting reading if you have the time

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/259216-leica-lens-serial-numbers.html

 

If that doesn't work search for this " Leica Lens Serial numbers " It took sometime to get correcrted but the Leica Wiki has now been annotated to give the correct information relating to my lens.

 

Best wishes

 

PS I was going to PM you but couldn't find your link. Out of curiosity you say you have a 90mm in your bag with a serial number just 12 apart. What exactly is its serial number please??