Chrome vs Black Elmarit-M 90mm

[Birdman]

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Hi all,

I’m going to pick up an Elmarit-M 90mm f2.8 lens for my M3 this week and would appreciate thoughts on black aluminum vs chromed brass. This is the final version of the lens with a retractable hood.
 

I’m leaning towards the silver chrome. Aesthetically, I have a slight preference for silver lenses on silver bodies. I also like the heft of brass lenses. That said, I do plan on using this lens. For those of you who have handled both or who own(ed) a chrome one, is the additional weight a deal breaker for throwing in the bag as part of a 3 lens kit? Is it unwieldy to shoot with? Or does it feel like a reasonable trade off?

[jaapv]

I had a chrome Summilux 50 asph. Over time I found the weight wearisome and sold it. 

[Guest]

For an M3, I would go with the silver chrome version. I have one, the weight does not bother me (the length sometimes does, because it does not fit in a Billingham 72 when attached to an M body).

PS: Welcome to the forum!

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Studienkamera

[Gregm61]

The couple of times I was actively scouting for a six-bit coded 90mm f2.8 Elmarit-M, the anodized black units were substantially more numerous than the chrome.

It's not like these are super high-dollar lenses but they are really good and a nice chrome version, to a seller who knows what they have, is probably a little higher-priced compared to a similar-condition black unit.

Compared to a chrome pre-ASPH 90mmf2 Summicron-M, the chrome Elmarit should be very reasonable, weight-wise.

[spydrxx]

If weight is a big deal for you, you could always go for the 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. Otherwise just go for the silver unless you are a fashionista with a black paint M3.😁

[pgk]

I have had quite a number of Elmarit-M lenses (5 or 6 over the years) and currently own a copy which shows some external marks but is optically great. It had been 6-bit coded by Leica (who I assume checked it over when they did the coding) before I bought it. My observations are;

They can be over 30 years old and may show their age/use in that some are not as 'sharp' as others having worked hard for a long time. Decentering can be an issue but will usually only show wide-open (one side slightly softer than the other). Some can show coating damage but this may be an over zealous owner rather than softer coating.

Bottom line is that they need checking out thoroughly so buy one which you can return within a reasonable time period if it doesn't meet expectation. Test it wide-open at various distances and make sure that focus is spot on and smooth throughout its range. Variable focusing resistance may indicate that the lens has been dropped or knocked and whilst it can usually be rectified, this can be an expensive repair. There are a lot of 90/2.8 Elmarit-Ms to choose from. From my observations, chrome copies usually attract a preium of 20~30% over black and sometimes even more is asked; in all honesty the weight difference isn't that much, but that said whilst weight might be an issue if you carry a lot of gear, as part of a 3 lens kit (my set up too - 21/35/90) it should be fine. If you can find a copy which has been 6-bit coded by Leica it is probably a good one as Leica will probaby have made sure that it is within specification when coding it.

Get a good one and they are a fabulous lens which is why I still own a cheaper one alongside my 90mm Summarit f/2.5.

[lct]

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Elmarit 90/2.8 v2, black anodized (410g) vs silver (560g). Both heavy lenses compared to Summarit 90/2.4 (346g), let alone Tele-Elmarit "thin" 90/2.8 (225g). The silver version is even heavier than the Tele-Elmar 135/4 (550g). Too heavy for me sorry. YMMV as usual.

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[pgk]

Just now, lct said:

Elmarit 90/2.8 v2, black anodized (410g) vs silver (560g). Both heavy lenses compared to Summarit 90/2.4 (346g), let alone Tele-Elmarit "thin" 90/2.8 (225g). The silver version is even heavier than the Tele-Elmar 135/4 (550g). Too heavy for me sorry. YMMV as usual.

Yes, the Summarit is an excellent solution to a slower 90mm as it combines high optical quality with lower weight, and lacks the flawas of earlier 90mm lenses (softer wide-open, prone to flare, etc.). But the Summarit wasn't an option sufggested in the OP😉.

[lct]

9 minutes ago, pgk said:

Yes, the Summarit is an excellent solution to a slower 90mm as it combines high optical quality with lower weight, and lacks the flawas of earlier 90mm lenses (softer wide-open, prone to flare, etc.). But the Summarit wasn't an option suggested in the OP😉.

I can understand that as i like much the Elmarit and i dislike the separate hood of the Summarit. I just wanted to say that the silver version of the Elmarit is too heavy for me, but the black version is highly recommendable to me

[rramesh]

Black for sure. The silver is needlessly heavy. Unless of course you are a collector desiring the brass lens.

[pgk]

2 hours ago, lct said:

I can understand that as i like much the Elmarit and i dislike the separate hood of the Summarit.

It does make the Summarit a bit unwieldy, but on the other hand if you need a hood it might as well be as effective as possible. IMO many built in ones aren't as good as they could be. Compromises!

[lct]

2 hours ago, pgk said:

It does make the Summarit a bit unwieldy, but on the other hand if you need a hood it might as well be as effective as possible. IMO many built in ones aren't as good as they could be. Compromises!

The built-in hood of the Elmarit 90/2.8 v2 is good enough in my experience. I would have preferred one for the Summarit, or at least a bayonet hood like that of the CV 90/2.8. The Elmarit v2 is not prone to flare anyway.

[luigi bertolotti]

16 hours ago, Birdman said:

Hi all,

...Aesthetically, I have a slight preference for silver lenses on silver bodies....

I have a STRONG preference for the same... 😆So my Elmarit M 90 is the heavy one... my std. 3 lens bag, when I take the 90, is Cron 35 asph + TE 90 + Elmarit 21 asph... all of 3 chrome.... and in case I take 50 instead of 35, the chrome Lux 50 (exactly the one quoted in #2... 😉) ; I can support the weight... and TE M 90 is the best 90 I have ever had.

(The std. bag with 135 is ELmarit 28 IV + Lux50  + ApoTelyt... 2 to 1 for black... no logical alternative for M 240, though having an old Summmaron 28 and a Hektor 135... )

Edited June 6, 2023 by luigi bertolotti

[Birdman]

8 minutes ago, luigi bertolotti said:

I have a STRONG preference for the same... 😆So my Elmarit M 90 is the heavy one... my std. 3 lens bag, when I take the 90, is Cron 35 asph + TE 90 + Elmarit 21 asph... all of 3 chrome.... and in case I take 50 instead of 35, the chrome Lux 50 (exactly the one quoted in #2... 😉) ; I can support the weight... and TE M 90 is the best 90 I have ever had.

(The std. bag with 135 is ELmarit 28 IV + Lux50  + ApoTelyt... 2 to 1 for black... no logical alternative for M 240, though having an old Summmaron 28 and a Hektor 135... )

That’s helpful. My standard 3 lens kit is a 35mm Summaron with Goggles, either a DR or collapsible 50mm Summicron, and soon-to-be Elmarit M. I had a Tele-Elmarit M once (thin), but never really connected with it and let it go.

[1joel1]

The CV90 f2.8 is incredibly light. Weighs much less than my Silver Tele Elmarit (Fat). The Tele Elmarit (Fat) is a wonderful lens. I also have a silver Elmarit and while heavier, it is still a joy to use. I believe that the silver ones are rarer and demand a higher price. I don't use mine much anymore and will likely let go in the near future. If you can try them out on your body, that might help with your decision.

[pgk]

The thing with lens hoods is that you don't usually know if they work, but you do know when they don't work🤔.

[farnz]

The 90/2.8 Elmarit-M is one of Leica's best kept secrets imho. 

I used to have a black 90/2.8 Elmarit-M but after it 'wriggled its way to freedom' while I was changing lenses on a mountain in Canada, I eventually replaced it with the silver chrome version.  I don't find the extra weight of the silver chrome version to be a problem but bear in mind that I don't find the weight of my 50/1 Noctilux to be a problem either.  Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

Aesthetically, the silver chrome Elmarit suits my (silver) M3 better than my black one did but it wasn't/isn't something I think about.

Pete.

[Birdman]

Thanks all, I went with a "mint" silver chrome version that should be here in a week or so. I appreciate the thoughts and advice, and thanks for making my first thread on the forum such a pleasant and helpful experience.

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by Birdman