90mm f/4 Elmar

[Vics]

off-camera flash?
EDIT: Too slow...

 

[KoNickon]

Thanks -- maybe I would have figured that out eventually. And here I thought it was just lovely window light!

 

[Luddite Frank]

Stop that 90 Elmar down to 5.6 or 6.3 and I'd bet it gets as sharp as you would need.

 

[zuiko85]

I have a question. Several times here it's called a triplet. Do you mean 3 groups or 3 elements?

My understanding was that most 90 Elmars were 4 element 3 group construction. But that some were 3 element 3 group and were considered more desireable and commanded a much higher price.

I have a 90 Elmar from 1951 but haven't tried it out yet. Will have to give it a go when my M4-2 gets back from YYe.

 

[jenhao]

Depends on the person 🙂 . Usually in optics, a triplet refers to a system with 3 elements.

Some posters are referring to the 4/3 lens (like yours) and others, the 3/3. There's always this confusion about the 90mm Elmars - even on a Flickr group dedicated to the "triplet" lens, there's probably an even mix of photos from both lenses!

Guess it doesn't practically matter. Both lenses have a similar look.

I have a question. Several times here it's called a triplet. Do you mean 3 groups or 3 elements?

 

[Luddite Frank]

Depends on the person 🙂 . Usually in optics, a triplet refers to a system with 3 elements.

Some posters are referring to the 4/3 lens (like yours) and others, the 3/3. There's always this confusion about the 90mm Elmars - even on a Flickr group dedicated to the "triplet" lens, there's probably an even mix of photos from both lenses!

Guess it doesn't practically matter. Both lenses have a similar look.

Are we speaking of the 90 mm Elmar, or the early 135mm Elmar ?

I did not know there were two flavors of f:4 / Elmar 90 in LTM ?

(Guess I'll have to dig-out Morgan & Lester tonight...)

😉

 

[jenhao]

Frank, there was a small run of LTM 90mm f/4 Elmars that had 3 elements, all airspaced singlets. I'm presuming that's what the OP has? Many more exist in M-mount but even then, the 90mm f/4 Elmar triplets were not many. I'm new to Leica so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Oh don't get me started about 135mm f/4 Elmars and the other lens that they get confused with 🙂

Mark

 

[Luddite Frank]

Frank, there was a small run of LTM 90mm f/4 Elmars that had 3 elements, all airspaced singlets. I'm presuming that's what the OP has? Many more exist in M-mount but even then, the 90mm f/4 Elmar triplets were not many. I'm new to Leica so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Oh don't get me started about 135mm f/4 Elmars and the other lens that they get confused with 🙂

Mark

My latest edition of Morgan & Lester's "Leica Handbook" is 1955, which in includes the "new Leica M", so that might answer my own question... I'm pretty sure this edition gives the lens lay-outs...

I have just one 135 Elmar -black-barrel, early-mid 1930's. Not even sure if it's RF coupled.

 

[jenhao]

Frank, the 90mm f/4 triplets come into existence in the early to mid 1960s so I don't think your edition will mention them...unless the authors were time travelers 😀

Really? I can't imagine what someone would do with a 135mm Elmar without RF!!! LOL.