Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 vs Leica Macro Elmar-M 90mm f/4.

[meven]

Could show me photos taken with both lenses (Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 and Leica Macro Elmar-M 90mm f/4)? I am talking about the latest versions for both lenses.

I am interested mainly in black and white photos. I want to compare sharpness, contrast and bokeh. I already checked Flickr but would like different opinions. Myself I would tend to go for the Elmarit for its sharpness but the bokeh with the Elmar is pretty nice... Decision decision...

What is your opinion on both lenses and which one would you recommend?


Thanks

 

[meven]

Come on, show me some photos. I am sure some of you have those lenses...

 

[awilder]

I've used both at different times so I don't have comparison photos nor do I do black and white anymore, just color slides. That said, I've critically tested both and find them to be about equal with the Elmarit only a hair sharper. Practically each will do equally well, i.e. optical performance exceeds the capabilities of most photographers. It really comes down to the trade off in 1 stop of speed for a more compact closer focusing optic.

 

[MikeL]

To my eyes, the Elmarit is sharp and backgrounds never looked funky to me when wide open. If you have to have what the 90mm APO can do, that's one thing. But for portraits and when you don't need f2, the Elmarit is a great lens at a great price, in my humble opinion. If you are patient, they can be found in the $500-600 range. I haven't used the Elmar or Hexanon.

 

[meven]

To my eyes, the Elmarit is sharp and backgrounds never looked funky to me when wide open. If you have to have what the 90mm APO can do, that's one thing. But for portraits and when you don't need f2, the Elmarit is a great lens at a great price, in my humble opinion. If you are patient, they can be found in the $500-600 range. I haven't used the Elmar or Hexanon.

Thank you for the answer.

 

[__hh]

Here's some with the Hex M 90mm f/2.8

Here's some with the Hex M 90mm f/2.8

I have not used this lens a lot. Here are some shots from that lens anyway - I find that they are quite sharp, and background blur is very nice.

 

[35mmdelux]

Both are equally outstanding with the Elmarit-M a stop faster. Really depends on ultimate purpose. Some great deals on the latest 90mm/2.8.

 

[sleepyhead]

I've used both these leneses, although not extensively.

As said above, they are both great optically, but you SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE how different they are in terms are size. The 90mm MEM really is SMALL. And, WITHOUT its accessory glasses it fills the viewfinder like the 50mm DR Summicron WITH it's glasses. So you get quite close with no additional accessories required.

The 90mm Elmarit-M is great all-around short telephoto that you could use for anything from portraits with nice out-of-focus backgrounds to landscapes. If I was just going to have ONE 90mm lens, this would be it (but I have more than one, see below).

But for me, I ended up keeping the 90mm macro Elmar-M because I don't use 90mm so often so I didn't want to drag around the Elamarit-M everyday for only occasional use. The 90mm MEM is so small and light that I feel i can always have it with me. For portraits I also own the Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens which is big and heavy and I use for that purpose, but it pretty much lives at home.

NOW HERE IS SOMETHING INTERESTING: I'm exploring using the 90mm MEM for portraits at f/4 (its widest aperture) because I noticed that its bokeh (which is gorgeous in my opinion) seems more out of focus than other 90mm lenses at f/4 (hope this makes sense...) Therefore, I may be able to get the same v i s u a l e f f e c t of a 90mm at f/2.8 by using the MEM at f/4.

I've noticed this kind of behaviour regarding bokeh before, for example the Leica 35mm Summilux (f/1.4) ASPH at f/2 "has more bokeh" than the Canon 35mm f/2 LTM also at f/2 - that is, background are rendered more out of focus with the 35mm Summilux ASPH.

To test the above hypothesis regarding the 90mm MEM, I'll shoot it at f/4 and a borrowed Elmarit-M at f/2.8, and at f/4, side-by-side.

 

[meven]

Sleepyhead thanks for the input, really interesting (and very tempting)

Any idea how much is the Macro Elmar on the used market?

 

[cfc247]

Some shots with the 90 Elmarit-M

Some shots with the 90 Elmarit-M

A shot taken with the 90 elmarit-m at f/8. The Elmarit-M is very sharp, focuses smooth, and is a good fit for the M8 body. I don't have any experience with the Elmar-M, but I certainly recommend the 90 elmarit-m.

 

[sleepyhead]

Nice photo!

 

[meven]

BTW, I ended up buying the M-Hexanon 90mm f2.8!!

 

[sleepyhead]

Thanks for the update - there are so many good choices around the 90mm focal length - alot depends on budget, personal taste, size/ergonomic preference, or what you find a good deal on!

I currently only use the 90mm Macro Elmar-M and I'm very saisfied with it. It's so small I can always have it with me without hesitation. I use 90mm with Leica M bodies mainly for MORE REACH and not as portrait lenses. The Macro Elmar-M also allows quite close focusing without the accessory glasses/extension tube (field size about the size of a small postcard). This lens gives my M system flexibility that I wouldn't otherwise have (reach and close up) without having to carry much extra weight.

Therefore, I sold my Canon 85/1.8 (great lens), which was my rarely-used portrait lens and bought a 75mm Summilux instead. If I want to shoot a portrait I tend to use that lens on my R-D1s - a great combo!

Happy shooting

 

[Al Kaplan]

Buy the lens that feels right in your hands and is fast enough for the light you might be running into. I doubt if there's anybody here who could take a stack of 100 8x10 prints and tell you which were made with this lens, that lens, or the other, or even if it was a 75mm, 85mm, or 90mm. Then learn that lens and what you can do with it inside out and backwards. Use it and love it.

 

[Tim Gray]

I think the choice is between the Summarit 90/2.5 and the Elmar-M. The Summarit is smaller than the Elmarit, a tad faster, and can be found relatively new for not all that much more. I picked up an Elmar-M because of the shorter close focus (without the adapter) and its tiny size. I really like it. The adapter is tiny too and makes it really useful for a bit extra magnification.

It doesn't seem like there is really a bum 90 out there, so like Al said, pick one that works for you for reasons other than sharpness, etc.

 

[thrice]

I just ordered a chrome E46 Elmarit-M for $349 from the used section of Adorama, rated EX. 😀 My bargain of the week.

 

[Turtle]

Elmarit M. Superb lens of moderate but not asph high contrast. Real bargain compared to a new Summarit if you ask me. We see mint/Exc+ examples for about $600 regularly. Why pay double that for a Summarit?

 

[axiom]

I voted for the macro (the one I have).
For 90mm length, I rarely shoot at infinity or even close to, so close focusing performance is more crucial imo.

 

[manusrayus]

Hi, I saw an 90mm tele-elmar never used (1983) gone for 670 euros on ebay, the next day i saw an elmarit 90 2.8 mint with integrated sunshade in my local second hand shop for 500 euros with leather case (serial number indicates 1997). Jumped on it , put it on my Bessa R2a . for the moment on using it i do not immediatly find the distance ring, always turn on the aperture,I have to accomodate. In comparison to a new summarit 2.5 that would have cost me 1320 euros, this lens is a real bargain. I am waiting to see the results in BW and on Astia.
greetings

 

[Dralowid]

Elmarit M.

I have one but don't be seduced by the beautifully made chrome one unless you are strong...it weighs a ton!

Michael