pgk Posted December 13, 2013 Share #1 Â Posted December 13, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Ok I already have a fine and late 90mm Elmarit-M and its a fabulous lens and I have no desire to replace it, but.... Â Sometimes I want to travel with what I'd describe as a 'cheap' system - my M8 and 2 or 3 lenses which are fine to insure 'all risks' because the replacement cost is (relatively of course - its Leica gear) low. I am not bothered about cosmetic condition, nor even pristine optics - I am interested in delivered image quality only. And I already have a battered 35 Summicron V.4 which is not worth a lot, and an old Super-Angulon which is not as battered but which could be replaced reasonably enough. Â To complete the 3 lenses I may carry with me, I want to add a 90mm - f/2.8 or f/4, so not a Summicron. I'm not overly bothered which other than I'd prefer a Leica lens. Even after having spent time researching on the web I'm uncertain as to which are genuinely good performers and so I'd welcome suggestions with 'real world' experience over which lens might best fit my criteria - cheap, optically sound (as opposed to state-of-the-art) and readily available. As I said cosmetics are of little interest and even some minor optical flaws are tolerable. Any foibles regarding specific lenses would be appreciated too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 13, 2013 Posted December 13, 2013 Hi pgk, Take a look here Which 90mm lens would you recommend in this instance?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pfhrased Posted December 13, 2013 Share #2  Posted December 13, 2013 Leica 90/4 Elmar-C / Minolta M-Rokkor 90mm f/4 would be a decent bet - cheap as chips, light, and still rather good.  90/4 m-rokkor on M8.2 as an example.   Pros: lightweight, easy to focus (though you may need a CLA to get it focusing properly at f/4), very good landscape lens, reasonable bokeh  Cons: not APO if you care about that, has an odd filter size. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted December 13, 2013 Share #3  Posted December 13, 2013 I too have a 'backup' set of lenses for when I'd rather not take my more expensive and hard-to-replace Leica lenses (although all of my equipment is insured) for activities such as hiking, high risk of exposure to salt water, or when my son wants to use my camera. I took my time buying them on eBay (new) and got them all at very good prices. However these are all outstanding lenses with respect to image quality. 2.8/25 ZM Biogon 1.5/50 ZM C-Sonnar 4.0/85 ZM Tele-Tessar  It took me a while to decide on a longer lens for my 'backup' set as my 90 is the superb 4.0/90 Macro-Elmar. I'd considered a 4.0/90 Elmar-C for but too flat with respect to contrast for what I wanted. At the time I was unaware of the 2nd version of the 90mm Rokkor which apparently has a better multi-coating than the Leica lens. I think you can identify the 2nd version Rokkor by the 40.5mm (filter size) marked on the ring surrounding the front element and the serial number is at the base of the barrel. However the Tele-Tessar renders beautifully, is very sharp and demonstrates a lovely tonal range. The 85mm obviously gives a bit more room around the 90mm framelines.  If you really want a Leica then the Elmar-C may suit you but consider the Zeiss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted December 13, 2013 Author Share #4 Â Posted December 13, 2013 Any comments on older 2.8s, etc? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted December 13, 2013 Share #5 Â Posted December 13, 2013 Another vote for the minolta rokkor 4/90, second version (the one they made for the CLE). Compact, lightweight, optically indistinguishable from your Elmarit-M (except at f2.8 that is), it has remained my most used 90mm lens, although I own both an Elmarit-M and a Summicron-M 90 asph, too. Â So go for that one or simply use your Elmarit-M, which in the unlikely event could also be replaced at reasonable cost. Â Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted December 13, 2013 Share #6 Â Posted December 13, 2013 There has been quite a number of Elmarit-Ms sold on eBay, within a wide range of prices. Your solution might consist in buying a reasonably cheap second Elmarit-M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted December 13, 2013 Share #7 Â Posted December 13, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a chrome Elmarit 90 from the end 50's/early 60'. It was the first lens I got for my M3, even before the 50DR arrived. I was and still am charmed by the look on b&w and was in for a treat on slide film, too. Stopped down it really is sharp and contrasty across the frame, probably a tad warmer in tint than the most recent Elmarit-M (which I use, too). Comparable to my eyes to the difference between the 50DR and the most recent non-APO 50/2 perhaps. It is not the most contrasty at f/2,8 but fully usable. Distortion is about nil. The Elmarit's head can be detached and used with an adapter/Viso for macro photos -- and on SLRs, e.g. a very handy 180mm equivalent on 4/3. I like this lens quite a lot and sometimes use it for the purpose you describe, or to keep weight down when I travel with two systems. I had the Rokkor, too, it's good, but not as versatile and obviously a stop slower. Â Alexander Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 13, 2013 Share #8 Â Posted December 13, 2013 Any comments on older 2.8s, etc? You know the reply already i bet. Your latest Elmarit 90/2.8 is the best of course. For a travel lens i'd recommend the "thin" Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 as well. Beware that it flares a lot though. For an f/4 lens the same size as the Tele-Elmarit, the M-Rokkor 90/4 is hard to beat, setting aside the superb but more expensive Macro-Elmar 90/4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted December 13, 2013 Share #9 Â Posted December 13, 2013 One thing the old chrome Elmarit (that can tend to flare as well) has over the Rokkor: amazing looks It's a really beautiful object. Alexander Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted December 13, 2013 Share #10 Â Posted December 13, 2013 I use the thin T-E exactly for the same purpose (travel, riskier conditions, skiing, etc.). I have never found flare to be such a big issue in my photography and stopping down to f/4 seems to greatly reduce the problem - yet you still have f/2.8 when you need it, But then I always use the hood, which ends up almost doubling the size of the lens. Can't compare with the Rokkor, as I have never used one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonki-M Posted December 13, 2013 Share #11 Â Posted December 13, 2013 You know the reply already i bet. Your latest Elmarit 90/2.8 is the best of course. For a travel lens i'd recommend the "thin" Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 as well. Beware that it flares a lot though. For an f/4 lens the same size as the Tele-Elmarit, the M-Rokkor 90/4 is hard to beat, setting aside the superb but more expensive Macro-Elmar 90/4. Â this. Last year, i was exactly where you are. The thin Elmarit is small, light, and of good optical quality. slight bit soft at 2.8 but a stop or two, it is sharp and contrasty. A very good traveling companion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2013 Share #12  Posted December 13, 2013 … As a compact and handy travel lens a collapsible Elmar 4.0-90mm could be recommended.   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!       M8.2, Visoflex III, Elmar-V 3.5-65mm 2nd. Ed. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!       M8.2, Visoflex III, Elmar-V 3.5-65mm 2nd. Ed. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/218338-which-90mm-lens-would-you-recommend-in-this-instance/?do=findComment&comment=2486427'>More sharing options...
lct Posted December 13, 2013 Share #13 Â Posted December 13, 2013 Good lens indeed, a bit soft at f/4 but plenty sharp at f/8 and on. Flares a lot as well but no more so than the "thin" Tele-Elmarit which is significantly sharper below f/8 though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 21, 2013 Share #14 Â Posted December 21, 2013 Another vote for the Tele-Tessar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted December 22, 2013 Share #15 Â Posted December 22, 2013 The Tele Elmarit 2,8 is stunning IMO. Never and serious flare issues, great sharpness and contrast and very small and light to use. Â For me a perfect travel lens. Â Â Â best andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 22, 2013 Share #16 Â Posted December 22, 2013 The Tele Elmarit 2,8 is stunning IMO.Never and serious flare issues... Interesting indeed, mine flares a lot. It is in fact my worst 90 from this viewpoint. May i ask if you shot with it against the light? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plewislambert Posted December 22, 2013 Share #17  Posted December 22, 2013 I first had the 90mm f4 Elmar, replaced by a chrome f2.8 Elmarit (sharper images on a film M4P) and now a black Tele-Elmarit (better) . Flare was said to be a problem with the chrome Elmarit so from the outset I fitted it with the longest closest hood that didn't actually darken the corners. Never any flare. Prices of this chrome lens vary widely but £300 might get you one. The telescopic mount f4 90mm seems to be contra-indicated for the M8-M9. You might pick up C-Voigtlander 75mm or 90mm lenses at modest prices. I have had 8 CV lenses of different focal lengths but the surface finish wears quickly so now I only use the 12mm (with Cornerfix). A cheap wideangle is the 20mm f2.8 Nikkor AF on an adapter, under £300. At f5.6 you hardly need to focus it. Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted December 22, 2013 Share #18 Â Posted December 22, 2013 Interesting indeed, mine flares a lot. It is in fact my worst 90 from this viewpoint. May i ask if you shot with it against the light? Â I have the same problem with mine even with side light and I use the #12575 hood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted December 22, 2013 Share #19  Posted December 22, 2013 Probably not to the extent that you mean..maybe I just unconsciously avoid it….here 2 shots one of which was against the sun (the sign).  very crisp lens indeed.  best andy 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/218338-which-90mm-lens-would-you-recommend-in-this-instance/?do=findComment&comment=2492868'>More sharing options...
lct Posted December 22, 2013 Share #20  Posted December 22, 2013 Thank you Andy. I can do this in BW with Silver Efex i guess but otherwise no my "thin" Tele-Elmarit does flare much more than that. Here comparos with two earlier lenses (90/4 # 11631, 90/2.8 # 11129). As far as my samples are concerned, current Leica ones are as good as the latter or even better. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/218338-which-90mm-lens-would-you-recommend-in-this-instance/?do=findComment&comment=2492949'>More sharing options...
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