Leica LTM 90mm Elmar LTM

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Burlap Jacket

Burlap Jacket

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I was at a camera show last weekend and noticed a couple of 90mm (possibly labeled as 9cm) f4 Elmars in thread mount. This is a black lens over brass, nice and compact. The seller noted it as being post-war, though note sure of the exact vintage. The price was around $100. Can anyone speak to the performance of this lens? I'm assuming it will be softish and possibly exhibit some glow? I had been thinking about getting a portrait lens for my M6 and this fits my budget right now.

Thanks in advance.
 
The Elmar 90 and Hektor 135 are good-performing lenses, even by "modern" standards.

If they are un-coated, they will tend more towards flare; same goes if there's haze or dust between the elements.

Looks carefully for scratches / rub-marks in the glass... if the glass is in decent shape, $75 - $125 is a fair range.

Haze / dust can be removed by a CLA ; scratches / coating injury are more or less permanent.

If you're looking for a user lens over a collectible, check-out KEH - they are very conservative in grading their mechandise - their "bargain" is most other folks "excellent".

You should find a good user lens between $50 & $100 from them.

The only other "draw-back" to the LTM Elmar 90 & Hektor 135 is that they are "slow" by modern standards: f: 4 / 4.5.

Also, you will have to get an LTM > M adapter... that can set you back $25 - $50,depending on where you find one.
 
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I have a 30's era Hektor 135 that unfortunately back focuses on my M6.

Can anyone post some sample portraits from the 90mm ltm (coated or uncoated)? Thanks.
 
Luddite Frank said:
The Elmar 90 and Hektor 135 are good-performing lenses, even by "modern" standards.
Click to expand...

They are.
ania_l1060703_s.jpg


Cheers,
Uwe
 
Uwe, what vintage is your Elmar? Is that a digital capture? Really looks different, to me, than the rendering from my (1948) Elmar!
 
I just bought the one that was for sale here for $90.00...I'm waiting for it to be delivered...I'll post some pics from it when I get a roll through it. The one I bought per the seller is uncoated and from 1936. That's the main reason I bought it...I like the old timey look I get from the uncoated glass.

Burlap Jacket said:
I was at a camera show last weekend and noticed a couple of 90mm (possibly labeled as 9cm) f4 Elmars in thread mount. This is a black lens over brass, nice and compact. The seller noted it as being post-war, though note sure of the exact vintage. The price was around $100. Can anyone speak to the performance of this lens? I'm assuming it will be softish and possibly exhibit some glow? I had been thinking about getting a portrait lens for my M6 and this fits my budget right now.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
 
Mablo said:
Flickr is your best friend when you want to check out photos taken with some particular lens or a camera:

see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/leicaelmar90mmf40rigid/
Click to expand...

I did search the M-Mount group on Flickr and didn't find much at all in terms of portraits. (version I here and version II here). The link you posted above is listed under M Mount and not LTM on the group's main page, so I assumed it's a somewhat different lens.

Thanks to those who posted samples above.
 
I`m looking for one still...... black paint f4/90 ~ ca. 1945 serial numbers #590xxx to #592xxx something, *coated* Minty in the tube or case, if someone has one in this range let me know :)

Tom
 
I have one in LTM and M, have used the first, 606148, on a Bessa R, the images were sharp, but a bit warm. Nice compact lenses, look right on the old bodies.

John
 
Lenses are lenses, don't mess around with all that technical stuff. Buy the lens you like; for the purpose you want. I like my 90mm Elmar for close work. Here is a picture of it and an image from it:

3718845182_84dceba16a.jpg


3682142366_14775b9682.jpg
 
This photo was taken with a war time Elmar 9cm 4.0 black with the aperture settings 6,9 ... etc. It seems to be coated though.

bride_series_4.jpg
 
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Mr flibble

Thanks for your comments I've been enjoying your re-enactment shots on the 'other' Elmar thread.

The aircraft is probably even smaller than you think. Its less than 2' across , powered by a rubber band and free flight

Here's another one also shot using an Elmar

fly01.jpg


Big boys with small toys

Chris
 
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