90mm F/4 Elmar - Worth it?

[HuubL]

I already own a classic 90mm Elmarit but could get a new 90mm F/4 Elmar for around 200 euros. Although the Elmarit isn't really a big lens, I'm always interested in a smaller sized lens. The collapsible Elmar isn't bigger than a modest 50mm. What do you think...?

 

[former member]

I like the collapsible Elmar, has the vintage look to it. I also have the 90mm Tele-Elmarit and 90mm Summicron.

Collapsible 9cm Elmar, wide-open.

Stopped down to F5.6

 

[sepiareverb]

Hopefully Memphis will chime in on this. I just got one of these from him, but hhaven't had a chance to run any films from it. Handling is great.

 

[former member]

Another advantage of the collapsible is that it takes 39mm filters. It is also easy to pop the front element for cleaning any haze on each side of the aperture. My lens took about 10 minutes to clean up.

 

[HuubL]

Another advantage of the collapsible is that it takes 39mm filters. It is also easy to pop the front element for cleaning any haze on each side of the aperture. My lens took about 10 minutes to clean up.

Brian, you're making life not easier.... I'm trying to convince myself I don't need another 90... So is 200 euro (300 US$) a good price?

 

[BNF]

Worth it? Depends on what you shoot and how you use it. For me, "yes" because it has produced (with my first roll) exceptionally fine portraits. (I bought it for this purpose.)

I paid c200€ for mine in A/B condition with a professional CLA. I believe that I paid on the high end, but have no problems as I prefer to pay a premium for the highest quality I can find.

 

[Xax]

there was one for sale here for 140 usd.
it was sold already though.

it was an elmar-c tho, whats the difference?

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Although at first site this one looks bad, it is - still - a bargain:

http://cgi.ebay.nl/Leitz-Leica-M-Elmar-4-90-versenkbar-collapsible_W0QQitemZ350034840030QQihZ022QQcategoryZ12872QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[BillP]

Another advantage of the collapsible is that it takes 39mm filters. It is also easy to pop the front element for cleaning any haze on each side of the aperture. My lens took about 10 minutes to clean up.

I'll vouch for this. a rubber washer and a pair of circlip pliers was all it took, thanks to Brian's detailed instructions. Both satisfying to do and makes a real, visible difference.

I'm on my second copy of this lens. Love it, and it is a perfect "match" with my M2.

Regards,

Bill

 

[former member]

$1,000! I think that is for the Tele-Elmarit, which is a faster F2.8 lens.

The collapsible Elmar will run 200~300, sometimes cheaper if you can CLA it yourself. The non-collapsible Elmar 9cm/4 coated will run ~$100.

The Elmar-C was made for the Leica CL, but will work with any Leica M. It is a much newer lens than the Elmars of the 30s~50s.

 

[rich815]

A much maligned lens which makes no sense to me. It's my favorite short-tele especially for B&W.

Mine is this one: http://www.kbcamera.com/elmar90coll.htm

I love it's signature and the rendition of tones I get from it:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=90Elmar&w=38698047@N00

 

[raid]

I know a RFF member who bought the new Elmar for what amounts to an extremely low price. It may have been $100 or so.

 

[Tom A]

The early collapsible Elmar 90f4 is a bargain. Usually they go for around $150-250. It has a classic look to the negative, quite smooth. It can flare though. What I like about it is the pure esthetics of the mechanical construction. It is heavy, but rock solid! Probably the most "mechanical" of any of the Leica lenses.
Optically it is supposedly the same as the "rigid" Elmar 90f4, but I have ale ways felt that the assembly of the collapsible took it one step closer to "blue-print" status and it an edge.
I tried the new collapsible Elmar and it is very sharp, but it lacks "soul"! If they had made the macro adapter compatible with the old one, or even with Tele-Elmarits I would have gotten it in a flash.

 

[robin a]

I know a RFF member who bought the new Elmar for what amounts to an extremely low price. It may have been $100 or so.

It was 107.00 total,included a case and Leica filter.Great lens.Sometimes one just gets lucky.How are you Raid?

 

[former member]

My collapsible is the 1950s lens. If you can get a new one at that price, Snap it up!

I have the same sentiment as TomA, the newer lenses do not give the vintage look of the 50s Leitz glass. I prefer the older lenses.

 

[pevelg]

Hmm.... I'm interested in the new Elmar Marco F/4.... Though somewhat slow, I love that it has a .76 focus range, and even better with the adapter. It is also small size. It's great for portraits and macro work, so something like the best of both worlds? The price is also nice in comparison to the other Leica's in that FOV range. This is going to be my next and last lens (for the time being😀). My outfit is the Leica M6TTL with the Ultron 35mm and soon the Elmar macro. I've read very little about the elmar macro, what do users here say?

 

[raid]

It was 107.00 total,included a case and Leica filter.Great lens.Sometimes one just gets lucky.How are you Raid?

I am doing fine, Robin.
Yes, sometimes one deserves to be lucky.