Leica LTM 90mm f/4 Elmar Accessories

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
naren

naren

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Hi, recently picked up one of these lenses and hope to find out here what hood I ought to use (some good places to get it). And what kind of filters it takes also.

Lastly, I saw a couple of these 90 Elmars for sale here after I bought mine. I'm real happy with the one I've got but someone mentioned a more expensive "triplet" version. I found this curious being that 3 element lenses offer less image quality. Is it just that they are rare and hence more expensive?


Thanks 😉
 
I have Sartorius' "Identifying Leica Lenses" and here's what it says about the 90/4 screw mount.

For the "4 element," (4 in 3 groups) it says there were many variants made between 1931-1964. The first are about 2400 in "fat" that really do have a very fat lens body. At about s/n 610,000 they changed to the 4, 5.6, 8 etc. aperture scale instead of the 4, 4.5, 6.3 etc. of before. Filters, up to s/n 1,573,000 it takes 36mm, 39mm after that. Hood: FIKUS for the 36mm filter version, IUFOO for 39mm. About 113,000 were made, of which only the all chrome and "fat" are rare.

For the 3 element, 3 group version, the book says only 400-450 were made, so it'll more expensive for its rarity. The triplet's focusing ring has grooves, the 3/4 is knurled all the way around.

Drew
 
I have the 3-element and the prior 4-element (in collapsible form). The 3-element is sharper, has great handling, and is my choice for a light travel tele. Downsides are harsh bokeh and rotating aperture markings. The price reflects relative rarity. Both Elmar versions take E39 filters and the accessories for that common diameter (caps, etc). Both versions allow the head to detach for Visoflex use, and use common components (OUAGO focusser, OTQNO extension tube). The correct hood is IUFOO (preferably with a chrome base 🙂).
 
I've got the 36mm one... SS 1035690. Go figure, it will be much harder to find the filters. First, I look for the hood.
 
Screw mount 90 4.0 will not focus to infinity with a viso. 20 feet is the limit.

Bayonet 90 4.0 is slightly different and will go to infinity on the viso. Also uses 39 mm filters.

And the 3 element one is better, but get the 2.8 instead as it is much cheaper and as good as the 3. Just no collector value.
 
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