robbie3 Posted September 23, 2021 Share #1  Posted September 23, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) Today was a nice early Autumn day in Eastern England and I took the tiny Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90mm f/4 Mark I to Felixstowe Port to see how well it worked at f/4, both at infinity and closer distances. I bought the lens used a couple of weeks ago and have had mixed results as a result of my errors and lack of practice with rangefinders. They're nothing more than test shots, processed as per my normal workflow, but I thought they might be useful to someone contemplating this tiny lens for general use. Shot 1 - Leica M10 + Macro-Elmar-M 90mm Mark I at f/4, 1/1500 sec at ISO 200, focussed at infinity. 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! 8 1 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4280414'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 23, 2021 Posted September 23, 2021 Hi robbie3, Take a look here Testing the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90mm f/4 Mark I as a short telephoto for general use.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
robbie3 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share #2  Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) Shot 2 - Leica M10 + Macro-Elmar-M 90mm Mark I at f/4, 1/3000 sec at ISO 200, focussed on the telescope eyepieces probably around a meter away.  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! Edited September 23, 2021 by robbieevans 4 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4280416'>More sharing options...
robbie3 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share #3  Posted September 23, 2021 Shot 3 - Leica M10 + Macro-Elmar-M 90mm Mark I at f/4, 1/1500 sec at ISO 200, focussed on the info panel around a metre away - the background is more challenging than shot 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! 1 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4280417'>More sharing options...
Gobert Posted September 23, 2021 Share #4 Â Posted September 23, 2021 What did you do in post? The colors look quite saturated. This is not the effect of the lens. I use version 2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie3 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share #5  Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) Shot 4 - Leica M10 + Macro-Elmar-M 90mm Mark I at f/6.8, 1/1500 sec at ISO 200, focussed at infinity.  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! Edited September 23, 2021 by robbieevans 2 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4280419'>More sharing options...
robbie3 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share #6 Â Posted September 23, 2021 Gobert, they do seem garishly oversaturated posted on the forum. I've replaced two and four with toned down versions. It was a very bright afternoon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobert Posted September 24, 2021 Share #7  Posted September 24, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) 9 hours ago, robbieevans said: Gobert, they do seem garishly oversaturated posted on the forum. I've replaced two and four with toned down versions. It was a very bright afternoon. Anyway, they do show the performance of the lens. Pictures are sharp en show a lot of detail. If you don’t need a fast 90, it is a very good choice. From experience I can add that the performance with the macro adapter is very good as well, although I use it not very often. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiggiGun Posted September 24, 2021 Share #8 Â Posted September 24, 2021 Everytime when I take this lens I'm surprised by the performance. My ideal travel Elmar combo: 21SEM + MATE + MACRO90 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberti Posted September 24, 2021 Share #9  Posted September 24, 2021 The lens gives very nice colours on my M240: 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! I choose the scene because of the combination of the two types of tones . . . 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I choose the scene because of the combination of the two types of tones . . . ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4280600'>More sharing options...
MarkP Posted September 24, 2021 Share #10  Posted September 24, 2021 (edited) Fabulous lens. Part of my 'lite' lens set : 2.8/28 Elmarit-M, 2.8/50 Elmarit-M and 4.0/90 Macro-Elmar-M. I don't have a faster 90mm M lens than this. What it loses i maximum aperture it gains in performance. I think that the light weight allows it to be held at lower shutter speeds than the heavier 90mm M-lenses.  This is similar to this thread that I started 9 years ago when I first got the lens... https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175185-in-praise-of-the-4090-macro-elmar-m/#comments Edited September 24, 2021 by MarkP 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberti Posted September 24, 2021 Share #11  Posted September 24, 2021 (edited) The lens is also great for cat lovers: 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! M240 I do have 90mm F2 LTM lenses, one soft & the other very sharp, but what a burden they are . . . Edited September 24, 2021 by Alberti 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! M240 I do have 90mm F2 LTM lenses, one soft & the other very sharp, but what a burden they are . . . ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4280606'>More sharing options...
GFW2-SCUSA Posted September 29, 2021 Share #12  Posted September 29, 2021 I use this lens quite a bit. In my opinion it is one of the unsung heros of the Leica family.  The only issue I have had is when I do not extend it properly and lock it. Of course its not as good then. But that is my error.  The size is great and with the excellent high ISO of the M 10s the slower aperture is not an issue. I use it with the Macro Adaptor on occasion and find it is a delight.  5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcusick Posted September 29, 2021 Share #13  Posted September 29, 2021 Great lens. Only downside is f4. Below see macro and telephoto.  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 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4283435'>More sharing options...
robbie3 Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share #14  Posted September 29, 2021 Sometimes f4 is fine, especially if you're picking out a foreground detail without too distracting a background. For me the graduation from in-focus to out-of-focus is fine in this shot. Leica M10 + Macro-Elmar-M 90mm Mark I at f/4, 1/350 sec at ISO 200 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! 2 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4283510'>More sharing options...
KFo Posted September 30, 2021 Share #15  Posted September 30, 2021 I shoot mine willy-nilly aperturewise, but often enough at f/4.  Here are few at various distances. All with M10P 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! 1 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4284080'>More sharing options...
Rick in CO Posted September 30, 2021 Share #16 Â Posted September 30, 2021 On 9/24/2021 at 8:35 AM, SiggiGun said: Everytime when I take this lens I'm surprised by the performance. My ideal travel Elmar combo: 21SEM + MATE + MACRO90 Mine as well - Great travel combo! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie3 Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share #17  Posted October 1, 2021 (edited) Certainly sharp at f4 - taken today in some late season late afternoon sunshine with dark rainclouds hovering around. Leica M10 + Macro-Elmar-M 90mm Mark I at f/4, 1/3000 sec at ISO 200 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! Edited October 1, 2021 by robbieevans 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4284888'>More sharing options...
lct Posted October 1, 2021 Share #18  Posted October 1, 2021 Why downside at f/4? The 90/4 macro has more acutance there than the otherwise very good 90/4 for CL. No 100% crop out of respect for the old young lady  (Sony A7r2 mod, 94/4 macro, f/4). 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! 1 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/324819-testing-the-leica-macro-elmar-m-90mm-f4-mark-i-as-a-short-telephoto-for-general-use/?do=findComment&comment=4284940'>More sharing options...
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