90mm f/4 Fat Elmar

[Crazy Fedya]

Hello, everybody.
I have a chance to pick up this lens for about $500. Is it good? Worth it? Comes with original caps, has some haze and some scratches.

 

[nanthor]

I have one and it's a very nice lens, very sharp and with a good bokeh, of course. I also really like the size and ergonomics of it, and it takes 39mm filters. $500 would be a great price if in excellent shape. I think with both haze AND scratches, it's too high. I paid about $650 for mine with mint glass and excellent cosmetics. The reason I say around is because it was a package deal, I figure 650 of it was the Fat elmar. It is bound to take good pictures even with the blemishes but if you want it you should be able to get the price down some. The haze can probably be taken care of but the scratches are forever.

 

[roundg]

forgive me, but it's the first time that I heard about a fat elmar 90/4.What's it?

 

[Crazy Fedya]

It's the first version of 90mm f/4 Elmar made only for 2 years. Approx. 2500 lenses made between 1931-1932.

 

[roundg]

It's the first version of 90mm f/4 Elmar made only for 2 years. Approx. 2500 lenses made between 1931-1932.

Oh, thank for the information.

 

[nanthor]

Actually, it's the 90mm tele-elmarit that's dubbed the "fat" version. I assumed that is the lens you were considering. Bob.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

No, it's actually Fat Elmar 90mm f/4

 

[nanthor]

I've searched and found the 90mm fat elmar now, didn't know there was one. Please disregard my posts, they have nothing to do with that lens. Bob.

 

[nanthor]

At least I'm helping keep you at the top of the posts! Bob.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Thanks. 😉

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Anyone else?

 

[Red Robin]

Anyone have the S/N spread on this lens? I have a 90/4 but would not call it "fat".

 

[chris7521]

Anyone have the S/N spread on this lens? I have a 90/4 but would not call it "fat".

There's no mistaking "Fat"😀 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Elmar_%28I%29_f%3D_9_cm_1:4

 

[FrankS]

So it's higher value is due more to its rarity than its imaging, compared to the subsequent 90f4 Elmar?

 

[philipus]

Leicashop in Vienna sell several for between 400-1300 Euros depending on condition. Red Dot in London has one for 499 GBP.

Puts e-book notes that the "optical performance hardly changed" even though there were numerous changes in the lens appearance.

Nice coincidence that I saw this thread today because this morning I brought with me my II with the, I guess, slim or ordinary 9cm Elmar which I like very much.

 

[littlefields]

Hi,
Does anyone know how many un-serialized, rangefinder-coupled "Fat Elmar" lenses were made? Also, is the correct cap for this lens bakelite or black enamel? I bought one of these a few days ago....no cleaning marks, but lots of haze. It's off to Youxin Ye for a cleaning next week. Thanks in advance for any information.