90mm Elmarit - 1st version - any users here?

[patashnik]

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I find myself at the receiving end of a 60's 90mm Elmarit. I must confess that I have only shot with a 90mm APO-Summicron, but decided it was not for me (too long). This time it is part of deal, and I'm not sure if this is something I ought to keep.

 

First of all, is it any good? I'm not too fond of those low contrast lenses that Leica put out back then. I guess this is more of the same?

 

And is it worth selling on? I've checked eBay, and they seem to go for $200 or so. Might as well keep it?

 

Sorry about the dumb questions, but I've never shot a 90mm on the M8 before, is it at all usable?

[gyoung]

I find myself at the receiving end of a 60's 90mm Elmarit. I must confess that I have only shot with a 90mm APO-Summicron, but decided it was not for me (too long). This time it is part of deal, and I'm not sure if this is something I ought to keep.

 

First of all, is it any good? I'm not too fond of those low contrast lenses that Leica put out back then. I guess this is more of the same?

 

And is it worth selling on? I've checked eBay, and they seem to go for $200 or so. Might as well keep it?

 

Sorry about the dumb questions, but I've never shot a 90mm on the M8 before, is it at all usable?

 

I've had one since new in 1968, still use it regularly on M3 & M6ttl, I like it very much and it gets good reports from others who do comaprisons. I have never wanted anything else. Try it and see whether you like it.

Can't see any reason why it shouldn't be happy on an M8 but I don't own one!

 

Gerry

[luigi bertolotti]

Elmarit 90 is a good Leitz lens of the '60s... fine to use, lenshead dismountable for Macro - Visoflex usage, nothing exceptional when wide open but still well usable even on M8: personally, I prefer its younger brother Tele-Elmarit, which is much more compact : a lens I used a lot (and still today) with pleasure. Anyway, if you own a Summicron AA... can be you find the Elmarit well under the Summicron's IQ... it's a brand new lens of very recent design, don't forget. I'd say that the Elmarit 90 is a lens that anyway is worth to keep... mostly for its price is not so high (the much rarer SM version is another story....) unless one has a very fine and complete item, i.e. with original box & co.

There is another issue about the Elmarit 90 of the '60s: its lens assembly was one of the most delicate... easy to be scratched, and I saw many items with hazing of glass: I hope your item isn't so... these two phenomena knock down contrast and sharpness

[patashnik]

Thanks, seems like its worth a try, then

[lars_bergquist]

I have used one extensively on my M8. Just like other early 90mm Elmarit or Tele-Elmarit lenses, it shows medium contrast wide open (not always a bad thing with an M8!) but improves rapidly with stopping down and produces a brilliant image from 5.6 on. Keep it until you can afford a Summarit.

 

The old man from the Age of Max Berek

[lars_bergquist]

... Sorry about the dumb questions, but I've never shot a 90mm on the M8 before, is it at all usable?

You mean the focal length? Yes, it is. It is equivalent to a 120mm lens on a 35mm camera so it's a medium tele and goes well with a 35mm or 50mm companion lens. Fine for general outdoor use.

 

The old man again ...

[patashnik]

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Thank you Lars, after those words I'm getting excited to try it out If the focal length is too "long" for me, I guess there will be a dirt cheap lens in the classifieds.