FrozenInTime Posted February 1, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 1, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) This should be close to a Summarit in price - a simple slow 4 element lens - yet costs almost the same as a APO Summicron. When the 90mm Marco was released it was sold unbundled for a significantly lower price then the macro goggles and angle finder were compulsorily bundled ( the bundle price was more than the stand alone single item price ) - it never made sense. Now the new version had no such goggles - yet the price is still sky high. I was thinking of a pocket sized 90mm for travel - this would have been ideal but I feel it's a rip off. I don't need or want the goggles/macro adapter. For the record I have some stupidly expensive Leica lenses i.e. 21/1.4 and 50/0.95 ; and can see why these are expensive - not so the 90mm f/4. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Hi FrozenInTime, Take a look here 90mm Macro Elmar - why so expensive ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bocaburger Posted February 1, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 1, 2015 I agree and why I never bought one even when they were at a more sensible price. There is no shortage of good, light, compact lenses in the 90mm range if speed isn't a factor. I use and like the "thin" Tele Elmarit. I have a "fat" one also, heavier but very sharp. A late f/4 Elmar in LTM, which is remarkably good albeit a tad less contrasty. I've heard good things about the original Elmarit, though I've never owned one. The 90/4 Rokkor made for the Minolta CLE has an M-style rangefinder cam for more accurate fine-focusing than the one's made for the CL. If absolute sharpness and contrast is a must, I can attest for the CV 90/3.5 APO-Lanthar. Had one, it was truly magnificent and an incredible bargain. With LV and EVF on the M240 there isn't much reason for the Makro 90. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 1, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) A simple slow 4 elements lens which is one of the very best 90s ever made and has no competitor in its size category. I like much my "thin" Tele-Elmarit or the Rokkor 90/4 but i don't use them anymore given the superiority of the Macro-Elmar. Superb s/h lenses like the latest Elmarit 90/2.8 can be had for reasonable prices now so photogs who cannot afford the Macro-Elmar have still the choice between very good little lenses like T-E 90/2.8, Elmar-C 90/4, Rokkor 90/4 etc. and excellent ones like the latest Elmarit or the current Summarit, let alone Summicrons apo and pre-apo. Hard to complain IMHO. Edited February 1, 2015 by lct 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timde Posted February 1, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 1, 2015 Leica prices have nothing to do with cost of production. In the case of the 90mm, Leica offers something reasonably compact and there is no alternative. Look at the price of the Summarit or Summicron and quickly realize that you are been taken advantage of ... but its the only compact 90 available. Interestingly, the Zeiss 85mm is similar in weight and one fourth the price. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 1, 2015 Share #5 Posted February 1, 2015 A simple slow 4 elements lens which is one of the very best 90s ever made and has no competitor in its size category. +1 E. Puts agrees….calls it the best general purpose 90 (even over the Summicron) in the current M lineup, and one of the best lenses ever made for this format. To produce those results with a so called simple design, in a tiny package, is an accomplishment. Macro is just a bonus. Leica prices? Good luck making sense of lots of them. But once folks are willing to spend $8-11K on some M lenses, the Macro-Elmar is a relative bargain. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted February 1, 2015 Interestingly, the Zeiss 85mm is similar in weight and one fourth the price. Have to admit to having one of these already - it's a very nice lens. But I would trade it in for a collapsable 90mm as it would be more jacket pocketable. Reality is I don't need the 90mm marco - but it would be nice; hence the price step as it is does not justify the upgrade to save 70g and 50mm length. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 1, 2015 Share #7 Posted February 1, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) …. hence the price step as it is does not justify the upgrade to save 70g and 50mm length. Leica prices are often steep compared to some wonderful (IQ-wise) Zeiss lenses specifically because of the size issue. It's far easier to get great results when size isn't as critical a factor. One either values that difference enough to pay that premium, or not. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted February 1, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 1, 2015 Expensive ? Why ? because light (400g) , compact, can work as tele and as macro (with macroadapter) This is my favorite lens and I bring everywhere with me,always in my Billingham bag Usuable from 0.7m to infinity and which beautiful pictures with M7, M8, M9.... ! Best Henry 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted February 1, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 1, 2015 Expensive ? Why ? because light (400g) , compact, can work as tele and as macro (with macrodapter) This is my favorite lens and I bring everywhere with me,always in my Billingham bag Usuable from 0.7m to infinity and which beautiful pictures ! Best Henry Expensive ? 1500 E without macroadapter here: summilux.net • Afficher le sujet - Macro-Elmar-M 1:4/90mm + adaptateur macro Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 1, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 1, 2015 I tend to agree with the OP that the price of the 90 Macro Elmar is a little bit puzzling. I bought the lens (when it was sold without the accessory bundle) not long after it was introduced for around £750, at the time roughly the price of a 50 Summicron and less than half that of the then 35 Summilux ASPH. Since that time (10 years ago?) prices have generally doubled but the 90/F4 has more than trebled (as has the Noctilux, albeit the latter in a different 'better' incarnation). This price readjustment would be understandable if the 90 used exotic elements and a fancy construction but it looks to be one of the simpler lenses in the catalogue. Maybe it is more expensive to manufacture than I am giving it credit for? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted February 1, 2015 Share #11 Posted February 1, 2015 Red Dot Cameras have 4 used with goggles ranging from £1500 to £2000. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 1, 2015 Share #12 Posted February 1, 2015 Compared to a lot of other lens in the Leica lineup, I do not feel like this is that expensive for what one gets. They are available for $3000 in mint condition. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 2, 2015 Share #13 Posted February 2, 2015 I bought just the lens for 1000 or 1200 years ago. Cracker lens and fully modern sharp at 4.0 near and far, something that no other 90 can claim. Plus quite small. Only thing is chrome and slightly heavy. I have all the other ones and nothing compares. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 2, 2015 Share #14 Posted February 2, 2015 The price always bothered me and I looked forever for a nice deal on an older second hand sample. After several years of contemplating and always loosing out on the nice deals on those lenses, I finally bought a NOS OLD version of the lens with complete kit (goggles, right angle finder, etc …). Some dealers, should they have them in stock might give a discount on these kits, as the newer (functionally mediocre) version is up on the shelves now. I can only say, I wish I had not waited so many years on this lens. It is the finest 90mm of them all should you not need a faster aperture. It is the tiniest 90 around and is often slipped into the bag for that reason while Elmarits, Summicrons and alike stay in storage. It is the very only 85-100 mm rangefinder lens, that in combination with the M Mono provides fine detail that I can only see with the S2 and S lenses. It is one very underrated and optically amazing lens. My advise: grab the first second hand sample you can find and simply don't think about the price - it is simply that good. Be advised that the included Leica lens hood is HUGE, very impractical and the lens itself is very prone to flare if bright light sources are around. I am still looking for a good lens hood solution. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted February 2, 2015 Be advised that the included Leica lens hood is HUGE, very impractical and the lens itself is very prone to flare if bright light sources are around. I am still looking for a good lens hood solution. Disappointing to hear of the propensity of the lens to flare. The pocket-ability of the lens looks compromised with the flared hood; at least the hood on the Zeiss does not add to the profile when reversed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted February 2, 2015 Share #16 Posted February 2, 2015 (edited) Why is it so expensive? Because it's so good . Regarding lens flare, I've not had the same problems as you. I agree that the original hood is too big and I use it only occasionally. Following a suggestion from another Forum member I bought the screw on hood for the 2.8/50 Elmar-M. Very compact and effective in most situations. Edited February 2, 2015 by MarkP 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 2, 2015 Share #17 Posted February 2, 2015 Flared hood? The regular 12575 metal hood is in use since the sixties at least and is the most effective M hood i've used in 30+ years. It can be reversed on the 90/4 macro v1, but not v2 unfortunately. The lens itself is not prone to flare when light sources are into the frame but it does flare when same sources are just outside the frame like most Leica lenses including the 50/2 apo. Compared to my other 90mm lenses, the 90/4 macro is not the best from this viewpoint but it is not the worst either by far. 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! Quote 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/240583-90mm-macro-elmar-why-so-expensive/?do=findComment&comment=2757756'>More sharing options...
lct Posted February 2, 2015 Share #18 Posted February 2, 2015 [...] I am still looking for a good lens hood solution. I often use the 12517 rubber hood for Elmar-C 90/4 that i screw into a filter (pic below). It is not as effective as the regular 12575 referred to above but i find it quite handy. Beware that its filter thread is not the same as that of the lens though, so better screw it into a filter as i do. For those interested the hood cap's order number is 14191 (same as that for Summicron-C 40/2). 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! 4 Quote 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/240583-90mm-macro-elmar-why-so-expensive/?do=findComment&comment=2757768'>More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted February 2, 2015 Share #19 Posted February 2, 2015 Mnutzer, Great combo M8 or M7 For LUG , click on the top, middle, and right icon to enlarge L1000307_JPGm8macro90_jpght-2_jpgred1200.jpg With 90 ME in macro : http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2875680-post2966.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2875696-post2970.html L1010290_JPGorchht-2_jpgred1200.jpg as tele : L1011987htcplednred1200.jpg L1014343balcham____ht_red1200photo3.jpg Best Henry 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share #20 Posted February 8, 2015 As there was a weather window today, between storm fronts ( it seems storm is the Californian term for any amount of rain ) , I went for a walk from Sausalito across the Golden Gate Bridge and on to San Francisco. I had an hour to kill before the ferry back, so went to the SF Leica Store. They had a nice used 90mm Macro Elmar M that was not bundled with the goggles. First time I'd actually handled one ; it certainly is very compact. The price was reasonable - so it's now mine Thanks for all for the words of praise you gave the lens. I can see it will get carried a lot more frequently because of that. Guess it's time to sell the Zeiss 85/4 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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