Small 90mm for travel cityscape and landscape photography?

[TheEyesHaveIt]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi all,

Heading to London again and might check out the South Downs coast this time. Have taken a 28mm + 50mm in the past and just a 35mm as well to London. Have had my eyes on adding a 90mm to my collection, specifically the Macro-Elmar 90mm given how small it is and its macro abilities (not that I shoot that a lot, but with the limitations of close focusing for most of my lenses, it could come in handy creatively from time to time). Pricey lens (some say overpriced?) and hard to find 2nd hand usually. 

Another lens recently piqued my interest - the Voigtlander 90mm 2.8. Seems about as big as the 50mm Lux but lighter as well. Doesn't do macro (MFD of 0.9m), but of course, much less expensive.

Anybody compare the two before? Or thoughts on a good travel-friendly 90mm in general? If I can get one before the trip, I might try the 35mm Lux + 90mm two lens combinations this time.

Cheers!

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Jean-Michel]

I cannot compare with other lenses, but I do have the 90 Macro-Elmar. It is an excellent lens in all respects. It is small but, of course, this also means an f/4 maximum aperture, which is fine for much photography. It only becomes a macro when you attach it to a macro adapter, either the old one which allows the use of the rangefinder, or the new one that then requires using live view or the EVF. Closest focusing distance without the adapter is just under 0.8 m.

[pippy]

4 hours ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

...thoughts on a good travel-friendly 90mm in general?...

Depending on your own personal needs and preferences the f2.8 Tele-Elmarit-M should be worth your consideration.

Ridiculously tiny (68mm / 2.6" long); light (225g / 8oz); takes regular 39mm filters (if that's a consideration); as sharp as anyone could ever need in the 'real world' and an absolute steal in terms of financial outlay.

FWIW I have a number of Leitz 90s but the one which is always taken with me when I travel is the T-E-M. The only 'downside' (usage-dependent) is a propensity for flare when shooting contre-jour with the sun just outside the picture-area but, for me, that has never been a matter of even the slightest concern and I've found that using a hood makes this aspect almost academic.

If the f2.8 T-E-M isn't appealing then I'd strongly recommend the f2.5 / f2.4 Summarits. Superb performance with incredible clarity and sharpness. Light-weight into the bargain. Both are to be had for (in Leica-Land) bargain-basement prices. The f2.5 and f2.4 - apparently - are both f2.4 designs but the earlier f2.5 has a near-focus of 1.0m whereas the f2.4 can get 10cm closer to 0.9m.

Philip.

Edited July 23, 2024 by pippy

[a.noctilux]

Macro-Elmar-M 90 is fine, I have one since so long, but last time I carried the lens on vacation, I use it only once.

My next favorite would be LTM old Elmar 4/90 maybe as 3 lenses "kit" only Elmar * LTM 35/50/90 so light kit, f/3.5 f/4 is fine.

* well one 35 Summaron  (for me it's same family as Elmar in rendering)

like here

with SOOGZ to use with each one when I need E39 filters.

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!

 

 

[MarkP]

I would also agree with the 4.0/90 Macro-Elmar-M.  Excellent image quality, light and compact.

I posted this over a decade ago: 

I should add that I rarely use the original hood as it’s too big, defeating the purpose of such a compact lens. Instead I use the short screw-in hood from the 2.8/50 Elmar-M  which is just enough to deal with stray light. I have almost never had problems with flare.

Mark

Edited July 23, 2024 by MarkP

[TheEyesHaveIt]

Thanks for all the suggestions all - some really interesting options I hadn't heard of before. After some contemplation, I have ended up ordering a new 90mm f4 Macro-Elmar - have had my eye on it for a while and feel that it is a real winner in the Leica lineup. Will grab the macro adapter as well as I'm excited to explore that side of photography too.

[Jeff S]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

1 hour ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

Will grab the macro adapter as well as I'm excited to explore that side of photography too.

Discussion here, two versions (at 1:12:55), as well as other macro options for an M…

 

 

Jeff

 

[MarkP]

8 hours ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

Thanks for all the suggestions all - some really interesting options I hadn't heard of before. After some contemplation, I have ended up ordering a new 90mm f4 Macro-Elmar - have had my eye on it for a while and feel that it is a real winner in the Leica lineup. Will grab the macro adapter as well as I'm excited to explore that side of photography too.

And consider getting this whilst you’re buying:

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/12550

Edited July 24, 2024 by MarkP

[erudolph]

21 hours ago, MarkP said:

short screw-in hood from the 2.8/50 Elmar-M

@MarkP, what’s the part number for that hood?

 

thanks,

[TheEyesHaveIt]

8 hours ago, MarkP said:

And consider getting this whilst you’re buying:

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/12550

Tough to find it seems!

[graphlex]

11 hours ago, MarkP said:

And consider getting this whilst you’re buying:

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/12550

If you can find one

[graphlex]

I’m looking at couple of substitutes at dag parts.

[skueh]

5 hours ago, erudolph said:

@MarkP, what’s the part number for that hood?

 

thanks,

I am using the hood of the 50/2.8 Elmar on my 90/4 Macro Elamr too. The P/N for the hood: 12550 (black anodized) and 12549 (silver chrome

[TheEyesHaveIt]

Would any 39mm hood essentially work? The Leica ones are either out of stock or $150 a piece. Amazon sells a bunch for $10.

[m410]

Also agree with the 90mm f4 Macro-Elmar-M as an excellent image quality, light and compact piece.  Perfect except the label of "Macro" is a bit misleading for the lens on its own...really needs one of the macro-adapters for what most would consider macro photography.  BUT, it is an excellent lens.

Also regarding lenshood,  The lens comes new with a 90mm/135mm e39 lens hood.  I personally have four other styled e39 Leica hoods which will fit, including two different style polarizers.  Usually I use the lens hood which was included when I purchased the 90mm f4 ME new.

Edited July 25, 2024 by m410

[JTLeica]

On 7/23/2024 at 5:53 PM, TheEyesHaveIt said:

Hi all,

Heading to London again and might check out the South Downs coast this time. Have taken a 28mm + 50mm in the past and just a 35mm as well to London. Have had my eyes on adding a 90mm to my collection, specifically the Macro-Elmar 90mm given how small it is and its macro abilities (not that I shoot that a lot, but with the limitations of close focusing for most of my lenses, it could come in handy creatively from time to time). Pricey lens (some say overpriced?) and hard to find 2nd hand usually. 

Another lens recently piqued my interest - the Voigtlander 90mm 2.8. Seems about as big as the 50mm Lux but lighter as well. Doesn't do macro (MFD of 0.9m), but of course, much less expensive.

Anybody compare the two before? Or thoughts on a good travel-friendly 90mm in general? If I can get one before the trip, I might try the 35mm Lux + 90mm two lens combinations this time.

Cheers!

Are you heading down to the Seven Sisters / Beachy head? It's lovely down there, a 90 would be great for that. Especially the view where you can see all the cliffs in a row, or some of them at least.

I used to have the Macro, is a nice lens, sharp, but still I would recommend a 90 Summarit. The summarit is a great little lens and really sharp corner to corner by F4, dont think you'd see ,much difference to the Macro and its a good 500 cheaper, maybe more.

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!

[TheEyesHaveIt]

7 hours ago, JTLeica said:

Are you heading down to the Seven Sisters / Beachy head? It's lovely down there, a 90 would be great for that. Especially the view where you can see all the cliffs in a row, or some of them at least.

I used to have the Macro, is a nice lens, sharp, but still I would recommend a 90 Summarit. The summarit is a great little lens and really sharp corner to corner by F4, dont think you'd see ,much difference to the Macro and its a good 500 cheaper, maybe more.

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!

Yes planning on heading there - lovely photo! I’ll take your advice and take the 90 with my 35 Lux on this trip.

[ianforber]

I bought my M11 specifically to be able to use the 90mm f4 Elmar Macro as a companion to a 35mm or 50mm lens. Problem is I can’t afford it!

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[TheEyesHaveIt]

Received the macro-elmar 90mm lens today - seems like the hood is definitely less than ideal. It doesn't seem like I can leave it attached if I want to put the lens cap back on, and there's also no way to keep it attached in the reversed direction - which then makes for either carrying it separately or leaving it attached the right way, which doubles the length of the lens.

Edited July 26, 2024 by TheEyesHaveIt

[kivis]

CV 90mm f2.8 APO  Sweet