Question about the 90mm macro elmer M

[JonP]

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I am seriously thinking about getting the 90mm macro elmer and adaptor to do double duty as a macro lens and as a lightweight and small tele lens to travel with, along with the 35mm lens I currently have on my MP-E.

 

I've read a number of comments suggesting that this lens is significantly more usable when paired up with the EV2.

 

Is this true? The EV2 seems to fairly expensive for what it is, so I don't want to buy it just or the sake of it....

 

Appreciate your advice.

 

Jon

[JonP]

Moral of the story, never try to do two things at once. Of course, that should have read, along with the 35m lens currently on my 240 MP

[MarkP]

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175185-in-praise-of-the-4090-macro-elmar-m/

 

I have no regrets having bought this lens over the other faster 90 mm Leica M lenses.

[JonP]

Thanks Mark. Is it worthwhile to get the EV2 rangefinder with it?

[microview]

I have used the latest 90 Macro on M240, and now ME, cameras as a 90mm lens and never found it necessary to use the EVF (on the former). Of course if you want to do macro then the matching adapter requires use of EVF for focusing.

[Schrödinger's cat]

There may be some reason for you to at least consider the previous version of this fine lens.  I bought one from jdlaing and find it exactly what I needed for travel, which is my main use for the Leica.

 

The first version of the lens allows the metal lens hood to be reversed on the lens.  For my travel use this is a considerable selling point as I prefer to carry my second lens in a pocket rather than carrying a camera bag.  This is not possible on the current version of the lens as the aperture lens size has been increased and the hood won't fit reversed.  See photo.

 

Regarding macro use, the first version features an adapter which allows focusing through the rangefinder.  The current version requires the EVF, which I personally loath, or using LV.

 

In either case, I find this to be an excellent choice.

 

If you purchase an EVF, consider the Olympus branded version, which is the same thing and available used for perhaps US $100 or so. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olympus-VF-2-/322077013923?hash=item4afd4937a3:g:PtgAAOSwYmZXElsh

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[STB]

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I am seriously thinking about getting the 90mm macro elmer and adaptor to do double duty as a macro lens and as a lightweight and small tele lens to travel with, along with the 35mm lens I currently have on my MP-E.

 

This lens, which costs US$3600 at the current "special currency exchange price" available until 10 May 2016, with the "macro adaptor", is in fact 1:6.7 at close focus and, with the adaptor, 1:3.

 

Which means that this is not only not a macro lens, even with the adaptor, but is extremely expensive for what it actually delivers,

[jdlaing]

The cost of the lens is inconsequential. It does exactly what it is supposed to do.

[STB]

The cost of the lens is inconsequential. It does exactly what it is supposed to do.

 

Excuse me, but why is cost inconsequential? And in any event, this lens doesn't do what it is supposed to do. It is sold as a macro lens, which it clearly isn't. Furthermore, Leica's description of the "adapter" that takes the lens from a non-macro 1:6.7 to a non-macro 1:3 is out and out embarrassing:

 

 

 

As the Macro-Adapter-M is also compatible with other M lenses, it offers Leica M photographers an even wider range of opportunities for creative composition and additional variety in reportage portfolios. With Leica lenses from 50 mm and greater, it enables macro exposures up to a reproduction ratio of 1:2 and, with wide-angle lenses, even larger ratios. The lens-to-subject distance decreases with decreasing focal lengths. The use of the adapter with 28, 35 or 50 mm lenses creates fascinating effects. The short distance from the subject creates extremely distorted perspectives and highly selective sharpness. Because, in contrast to a macro lens design, the imaging performance of these lenses is not optimised for such close focusing distances, it is advisable to stop them down by one or two aperture values. The use of the Macro-Adapter-M with lenses with focal lengths of less than 28 mm is not recommended, as the lens-to-subject distance must be extremely short to allow correct focusing.

[jmahto]

This lens is exceptional. I use it as travel lens without EVF. For occasional macro use I simply switch on LV and use the LCD (I do own EVF and use it only for longer R lenses, not for this).

 

Having said that, I have taken very nice portraits with much older 90 TE thin. The weight is very similar. The only advantage of 90 macro elmar m is for landscape shots that require corner to corner sharpness. For people shots old one is equally good.

[Jeff S]

Decent review by Jono on the new lens and adapter (except for omission of issue regarding hood reversal issue cited above)....  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/2014/07/leica-macro-elmar-m-90/

 

Jeff

[lct]

Not sure to comprehend STB's complaint above. Doesn't the lens comply exactly with its specs? Never checked the latter's data myself so i'm just curious. BTW colleagues willing to revert the metal hood on the lens may keep their 90/4 macro v1or buy a second hand one and get the new adapter instead of the goggled one. Work fine together and the new adapter is handy with other M lenses as well. Magnification is even higher on my Sony A7s fitted with both Leica macro and CV close focus adapters. 

[menos I M6]

The lens is fantastic - one of the few Leica M lenses that somehow produce a look I have only seen produced from the Leica S sensor with the 70/2.5.

 

It has extremely smooth out of focus qualities.

It produces immense detail, both close up and at distance (here is why it is often an underrated and misunderstood lens as of its Macro moniker).

 

I bought a v1 full set after the v2 was available simply as I much prefer to be able to use it on my film bodies as well and as I find the EVF of the M inadequate for general photographic purposes.

 

Please be aware that if you shop clever and have a bit patience, you can find a complete second hand set for not much more than half the new price.

Often these second hand sets are of slightly older samples without 6-bit coding (but otherwise just as great).

 

Apart from the nicety of having accurate EXIF data (even the adapter is recognized as such), the 6-bit mount does not improve the use of the lens, so you might want to save that money.

 

Be aware that the deep supplied lento is really mandatory when shooting in bright sun light as this lens really easily catches the light and produces severe flare and ghosting (it's very only real weakness).

 

I find myself not using the close up functionality much, as in such cases a SLR camera is often simply easier to use.

The 90/4 ME is a fantastic travel and portrait lens though and it's now high price (it wasn't always that costly) is easily forgotten once you use it - it's THAT good.

[jdlaing]

Well said.

[MarkP]

By Leica standards it is not an expensive lens. It can always be purchased without the macro adapter if macro is not needed, further dropping the price.

 

Jayant and Dirk are spot on - it is best used as a light and compact general purpose 90mm lens of outstanding quality.  I have a v1 lens and have no interest in the v2.

This is what I tried to demonstrate in the thread on this lens for which I attached the link in my post #3 above (http://www.l-camera-...-macro-elmar-m/)

[JonP]

Thanks for all the comments. i've ordered the v2 lens and macro adaptor. I'll see how I get on with using live view for macro shots before I think about getting the EV.

 

I take the point about the lens hood but I decided I wanted the v2 lens.

[DBAUDUI1]

Hello,

 

I am using the V1 macro elmar 90, the brass white chrome release,  quite often. It is a fantastic and tiny lens. I use it with its sunshade and a leica UV filter most of the time and have never experienced flare with it. It produces very nice pictures - landscape, portraits and close-ups. Very nice colours, bokeh and sharpness. Also it is very easy to focus this lens accurately, also with the special googles. I use it on all my Leica's: M4, M5, M8 and M240 with the same pleasure. The brass white chrome release of this lens is also a dream to manipulate and focus with. It is not too heavy for a brass and steel lens as it is tiny. 

Best regards.

Dominique

[russell]

I get flare with this lens.  I also find it still a bit tricky to hand hold given it's a bit slow.  Having said that, it's the one 90mm I would take with me (size and weight) and the one I would sell last.

 

I've the black version 1, but sometimes have a bit of regret in not holding out for a silver chrome.

[Simon Bee]

 

 

I've the black version 1, but sometimes have a bit of regret in not holding out for a silver chrome.

 

Check Red Dot in 'a day or two' ;-)

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Hallo,

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