90mm Elmarit, Summicron or Summarit?

[ramosa]

I have the Elmarit-M 90 and have no complaints. I don't need a faster lens at that focal length--and surely don't want a heavier or more expensive one. As I have noted before on RFF, I don't know why Leica discontinued this lens. It has a fine rendering--what I'd call part classic, part modern. The price on this lens in mint condition varies quite a bit, sometimes up to $1,800. But, after watching the prices for many months, I got lucky and found a mint one for $1300 earlier this year.

 

[semordnilap]

It's all about whether you want the extra stop or not, right? The Elmarit-M is an excellent lens, really... no complaints whatsoever. But I think you'll be happy with any of the current or reasonably current Leica offerings. And if you want super small, as in a really nice travel kit, find a clean Tele-Elmarit–with a hood it's excellent, and just tiny.

 

[Peoplewing]

I have a theory on this. I think that subjects are more comfortable looking into glass that is smaller. I have noticed this when shooting with the APO vs the Elmarit-M and the Nokton 1.2 vs the skopar 2.5. Less intimidating, I suppose.

Exactly what I think! A good, but not the only argument to stay with the Elmar 90 instead of the Apo.

I've tried the Summarit 90 too, but sold it then. It is small and light, as well as solid (!), but I did not like the rusults, too "harsh" bokeh.

Now an Elmar ist my favorite, very sharp in the center at 2.8 and with a wonderful soft Bokeh.
I've tried the Apo 90 at the Leica Store in Wetzlar for one hour, it is wonderful too, but I dont see that it is 4x better, but 4x more expensive, an havier.

The Summicron pre-Apo is quite too big and havy.

So far for me the Elmar is the best 90-lens, and I don't feel that it is only something like a compromise.

BTW, the Summarit 75 is a wonderful lens which I use very often.

 

[ACullen]

I wanted an inexpensive 90mm for my M2. I ended up getting an Elmarit 90mm 2.8 from 1965. It's more than acceptably sharp wide open and is tack sharp from f4. Finally it also only cost £90! I'm not sure I'd notice the difference in sharpness cf of a modern lens, using as I do HP5.

 

[David Hughes]

I wanted an inexpensive 90mm for my M2. I ended up getting an Elmarit 90mm 2.8 from 1965. It's more than acceptably sharp wide open and is tack sharp from f4. Finally it also only cost £90! I'm not sure I'd notice the difference in sharpness cf of a modern lens, using as I do HP5.

Hi,

Definitely a good combination of lens and body there, only I'd use FP4+ not HP5 (corrected that from HP3, which dates me and shows when I last used something that fast!). There are a lot of very sound lenses from the M2 period and they are a pleasure to use.

Regards, David

 

[Jockos]

This Thread Is From 2012

 

[Richard G]

My oldest lens (admittedly a 50) is from 80 years before that. My oldest 90 is from 60 years before that. And since my post from 5 years ago, I did get the Macro Elmar 90 in what now has to be called the first version. Five years is nothing in Leica years.

 

[MartinL]

No mention of 90mm Macro Elmar 4.0. I'm looking at one and will probably post in a separate some questions in a separate thread. Meanwhile, any thoughts?

 

[a.noctilux]

No mention of 90mm Macro Elmar 4.0. I'm looking at one and will probably post in a separate some questions in a separate thread. Meanwhile, any thoughts?

Macro-Elmar-M 4/90 is the best all around 90 lens.
Light, colapsible, handy when pull out.

Less flare prone than my Tele-Elmarit (thin) and good from far to near, no need of floating lens.

Some say that, this 90 lens is "Apo" as the very heavy Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 2.8/100.
I believe that is true from the nice subtle color output.