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The 90/2.0 ASPH is pricy and clinically sharp, right open to 2.0, I believe.

The 90/2.0 Pre ASPH, which I have, is a great performer, very sharp from f4 and smaller. A bit softer wide open at f2 but very nice for portraits.

The 90/2.8 is repured to be very sharp, compact and cheaper.

 

Others may have more details for you, but ultimately, you simply need to assess your style, or desire, and use the above info to narrow your choice. If low light is important to you, decide do you want absolute clarity wide open, then go ASPH. If you enjoy'atmospheric', save a dollar and go pre-ASPH. If you don't shoot low light or like narrow DOF, go the 2.8.

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Erl covered the summicron option (big compared to you other lenses) and others will chime in raving about the 90 Elmarit-M f/2.8 (discontinued in 2008); a lens loved by those on this and other forums. I've had both the Elmarit and the Summarit and there is no noticeable optical difference in real world shooting, and the Summarit is readily available for under $1200 in perfect condition. I now have the macro Elmar which has no peers in terms of optical performance and size. But If you don't want to spend more than $1000 then you're in luck because Leica has never made a mediocre 90m; even by today's standards, the 1931 Elmar is a good lens. The tele Elmarit (1973-1989) is a fantastic lens and would be a good starting point if you don't have experience with longer lenses on the RF system.

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erl lists the most recent Leica-made, M-mount 90mm lenses, although he left out a couple of the most recent of all:

 

90mm Summarit f/2.5 (2007 - present) - roughly comparable to the Pre-APO Summicron, less 1/2 stop and some weight/size.

90mm Macro-Elmar f/4 (200? - present) - available with accesory focusing goggles that allow close focus. Safely collapsible on digital M's, I believe, and thus very compact except when in use.

 

I cocncur with his evaluations of the lenses he listed.

 

In reverse chronological order (roughly) here are some others that precede erl's list:

 

90 f/2.8 Tele-Elmarit-M (a.k.a. "thin" Tele-Elmarit 1974-1989) - my favorite, due to its phenomenally small size and weight for an f/2.8 90 (39mm filter size like your 50 f/2), but primarily because my personal example is the sole M telephoto I've used that has focused impeccably at all distances with every single camera I have owned since 2001 (M4-2, M4-P, M6 (various), M8, M9). Sharper than any 90 Summicron except the APO-Summicron until below f/5.6. Sharp right down to the pixel on the M9. It does have substantial flare problems in backlight, however, and early copies can develop a nasty clouding of the rear elements that is "unrepairable."

 

Lenses below this line are not supported for official 6-bit coding by Leica (too old), but can be coded with paint or ink by hand, as one of the recent 90s. Some are old enough that screw-mount versions were also available.

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90 Summicron f/2 1957-1980 - a non-telephoto lens, and thus rather large (enough so that it has its own tripod mount!). Optically fairly sharp with low contrast. Made in both chrome and black versions with some cosmetic variations over time.

 

90 Elmar-C f/4 (1973-77) made for the small Leica CL camera. Differing opinions as to how well it focuses on full-sized M cameras. Roughly the same size as the f/2.8 TE-M. No experience with it, myself.

 

90 Tele-Elmarit f/2.8 (a.k.a "fat" Tele-Elmarit - 1964-1974). Softer in the corners - even @ f/8 - than its successor TE-M. Despite the nickname, only a bit larger but a lot heavier than the TE-M. Also either chrome or black.

 

90 Elmarit f/2.8 (1959-1974) - also a non-telephoto design, therefore long, but thin and fairly lightweight. Takes 39mm filters. Black or chrome. I've used only rarely, but would rate in between the two Tele-Elmarits for sharpness, and possibly with less distortion (not that the TEs have a lot).

 

90 Elmar f/4 - many variations, including both rigid and collapsible mounts (collapsible version may damage digital M shutters if retracted!)

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There are a host of non-Leica, roughly 90mm, lenses from other makers, if you want to explore. Most in screw-mount, which can be adapted to M bayonet.

 

From Cosina/Voigtlander - 90 f/3.5 APO-Lanthar. I've only used this briefly as mounted for Canon EOS mount, but it does seem a very crisp, clear lens as the APO designation would suggest.

 

From Zeiss - ZM 85 Planar f/2 - as expensive as the Leica APO 90 f/2, IMHO ungainly in construction and size, but an excellent performer. Discontinued??

 

From Canon (screw-mount, from the 1950's-early 60's) - 85mm f/1.8, f/1.9, and 100mm f/2 and f/3.5.

 

From Nikon (ditto) - 85 f/2

 

You mention the 1991 21mm Elmarit. If you like this lens's rendering, the closest match for color and "feel" will be the Pre-APO/ASPH 90 Summicron that erl likes. Both were designed contemporaneously (c. 1979 design) by the great Walter Mandler of Leitz Canada - as was your 50 Summicron, if it is post 1980 - and thus all share similar rendering. My favorite - 90 Tele-Elmarit-M from 1974-1989 - also came from the same hand.

 

More on those 90s, and other Mandler designs, here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/45854-praise-mandler-lenses.html

Edited by adan
punctuation
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90mm Macro-Elmar f/4 (200? - present) - available with accesory focusing goggles that allow close focus. Safely collapsible on digital M's, I believe, and thus very compact except when in use.

 

From 2004; considered by Puts to be "the best general purpose 90 in the current M-range," and "among the best performing lenses ever made for the 135 format."

 

The macro part scares some away from a superb overall lens. Of course the speed is a factor for some, but the size and weight benefits.

 

Jeff

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90 macro if F 4.0 not an issue. It has one major advantage in that it remains sharp 2 meters and under. The only other 90 that does are older ones made for the visoflex. It starts out fully sharp at 4.0 and only gains debth of field stopping down.

 

My chrome one is not particularly light weight, although it is small.

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i can only repeat what the above posters said :)

 

90 Apo cron

90 cron

90 Elmarit-M

90 Macro-Elmar

 

in that order in my opinion. note that the macro-elmar is actually sharper and lighter than the Elmarit-M, but you are actually trading 1 stop of light for it.

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Guest rivercityrocker

I just ordered a rigid Elmar 9cm f/4 ca. 1955. I couldn't really find a lot of info on it, but it was less than $100 with 2 day shipping. I'll see when it gets here.

 

Anyone have experience with this era lens?

Edited by rivercityrocker
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...90mm Macro-Elmar f/4 (200? - present) - available with accesory focusing goggles that allow close focus. Safely collapsible on digital M's, I believe, and thus very compact except when in use ...

Very compact even when in use. I have not both lenses with me here but in extended position, the Macro-Elmar must be slightly shorter than the "thin" Tele-Elmarit IIRC. The Macro-Elmar is a lens from 2002 BTW. :)

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I just ordered a rigid Elmar 9cm f/4 ca. 1955. ... Anyone have experience with this era lens?

Only with its collapsible version, mine being from 1957. A bit soft at f/4, sharp at f/5.6 and on, no significant distortion. Here with the "thin" Tele-Elmarit (left) and the Macro-Elmar (center).

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Yes according to the M9 manual, page 110.

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90 f/2.8 Tele-Elmarit-M (a.k.a. "thin" Tele-Elmarit 1974-1989) -

 

phenomenally small size and weight for an f/2.8 90 (39mm filter size like your 50 f/2), but primarily because my personal example is the sole M telephoto I've used that has focused impeccably at all distances with every single camera I have owned since 2001 (M4-2, M4-P, M6 (various), M8, M9).

 

Sharper than any 90 Summicron except the APO-Summicron until below f/5.6. Sharp right down to the pixel on the M9.

 

It does have substantial flare problems in backlight, however, and early copies can develop a nasty clouding of the rear elements that is "unrepairable."

Perfect description of all relevant features and downside.

 

Flare and irreparable clouding (but Leica U.S.A. charged me for it anyway, after sending it to Solms) drove me to 135mm focal length by the mid 1990s.

 

For telephoto I would heartily recommend a 135mm Hektar (sp?) from the 1950s. Very lightweight with nice image when stopped down to f/5.6 or more, but for 90mm I can only recommend the Apo-Asph.

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I went through the same decision process and ended up with the current Macro Elmar which was mint/ used from a reliable dealer at about a $700 savings over new. It really is a great lens.

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As quite new Leica user I have the M9 with my 50mm Summicron f/2 and my newest purchase 21mm Elmarit from 1991. Now it is time for a 90mm. Which one should I buy? Used is also fine for me.

You have received several detailed answers.

A few questions come to mind to help narrow down your quest: what would you use the lens primarily for (portrait, landscape, ...)? what kind of money are you prepared to spend? do you want the rendering of your lens to be close to that of your other lenses?

I'd say that the Elmarit-M is the best all-rounder at a reasonable price, but then I also own and use several other old and new lenses in this focal range (or thereabouts) for a variety of reasons that are important to me.

Edited by Ecar
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In LFI 7/2003 from October the Macro-Elmar-M was announced as new with an article from Brian Brouwer and ....Erwin Puts. The first price-list which showed the lens dates from 1/2004 - very often there is a considerable time lag between the introduction of a new lens and a new price list.

 

May be there was a certain delay between the announcement and first deliveries - which we are used to now - though those were the times when Leica sales were very low, so there should have been no real reason for delaying deliveries.

 

I'd say that Leica's listing the lens in the year 2002 in the sheet for coding is wrong. Puts may be right that first deliveries came in 2004, but it's also probable that they already went to the customers in 2003.

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