90 Macro Elmar

[Banci]

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Hi guys, I was looking for a small, compact 90mm to use mainly for travel. I previously owned the 90mm Elmarit-M, which I can only speak highly of; now I’m wondering whether it might make sense to invest a bit more in the Macro-Elmar.

What I don’t fully understand is how the close-focus system works. To be clear, I’m not interested in macro photography at all, though having that extra close-focus capability for portraits could be a nice bonus.

Correct me if I’m wrong: the lens has to be mounted in reverse on an adapter in order to shorten the minimum focusing distance; without the adapter, it’s essentially a super-sharp 90mm f/4 whose main advantage over the Elmarit is its compact size?

[BEG]

You are correct that, mounted directly onto the camera without the macro adapter, the M 90 Macro Elmar is "a super-sharp 90mm f/4." It is a fantastic travel lens.

[Alberti]

The close focus works first of all by adding a space of some 10mm to start off the focus from 70cm down (ring at infinity) to much less than 40cm (the distance ring turned alle the way out). Why the lens in put 'upside down' is that there is an extra mechanism to engage with the rangefinder for the CF working. This means that on close distance I can use the RF! Much better than a 'modern' CF lens that only can be used with an EVF.

And yes the lens is super sharp/high resolution and takes great candid shots also because the focussing is so quick and precise.

[mujk]

There are two different M macro adapters. The original one is rangefinder-coupled with goggles as described by @Alberti above. The newer one is a variable length extension tube without rangefinder coupling. It can be used with some other M lenses as well and requires LCD/EVF for framing and focusing. The lens itself is collapsible and always mounted with the front element facing forward.

[GFW2-SCUSA]

The 90mm Macro-Elmar is one of my favorite lenses.  In fact my first one fell out of my jacket pocket unbeknownst to me, never to be seen again, uninsured. Sad, but true. So I bought another one. That's how much I like it. I also have the Leica Macro-Adaptor, latest version. The lens IS NOT reversed when mounted on the adaptor. A nice feature of this rig is when mounted on the adaptor the lens does not need to be extended to focus from macro to infinity. It makes for a very nice compact package. As others have mentioned it is very sharp, small, lightweight and comes, of course, with the Leica Look (whatever that is🤪). It's not inexpensive with the adaptor, but I for one think it is worth it if close-up work is your interest. 

I should have said the obvious - with the macro adaptor you must use Live View, the rangefinder doesn't work. 

Edited 39 minutes ago by GFW2-SCUSA
addition

[tappan]

Banci. I love my 90mm Macro Elmar version 1 with my (newest type) macro adapter.
If you are not now interested in macro photography, it is my belief that you will be one you get the lens.
Good luck,
Mark