90mm lens, Elmar? Collapsible? :s

[_larky]

I'm confused.

I want a 75 or 90mm lens, for the M6. I like the idea of a longer length. Anyway, I'm confused. The price range is huge, the Elmar collapsible variety seem very cheap compared to everything else, and I wonder why? Is it simply image quality, or they are a bit crap? I like the look of them, I've not managed to find one in a store that wasn't in obvious need of a service.

Anyway, I wonder what all the differences are? And are the Elmar any good?

 

[SolaresLarrave]

There are three types of 90mm lenses in the world of Leica. The very fast ones are the Summicrons, at f2; then, the not-so-fast ones, like the Elmarit and Tele-Elmarit at f2.8, and lastly the "slow" ones, which are the Elmar 90mm f4 C (designed for the Leica CL but also compatible with other M bodies) and the collapsible Elmar.

I have a Summicron 90 and the collapsible Elmar and like both of them. They're different animals, though, even if the focal length is the same; the 'cron is an excellent portrait lens because of its large aperture. The Elmar also works as a portrait lens, but the aperture limits its uses. I don't find any other limitation except for the small aperture, which doesn't make it easy to use indoors. I'd say go for the Elmar if you have access to one in good shape, and then you can decide whether you like the focal length and replace or add another lens to your collection.

Initially, I wasn't too crazy about long lenses in a Leica body, but then, they tend to be fairly fast (with some exceptions), and I like that.

I have used my collapsible Summicron 50 with one of my M6TTL and liked the look of my Scala slides and Agfa B&W negs. I still need to use my Elmar in something other than color negative film, but then, I still like it, and use it mostly with my M3.

Take care! 🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Ooops! Forgot to recommend the Tele-Elmarit 90mm f2.8. I used to have one, but since it duplicated the focal length of my Elmar and Summicron, I was stupid enough to e-Bay it. It's the one and only sale I really regret: that lens was small, light and sharp as a tack. I wish I had kept it... 🙁 Hence, if you find one, grab it. They are really good!

 

[ferider]

So many choices ....

Most collapsible Elmars need cleaning.

If you are OK with f4, and on a low budget, consider 90/4 Elmar-C, or Rokkor. Stunning performers, really, up there with the most expensive Leica glass. The 90/4 Rokkor is easier to filter than the Elmar-C, and the CL Rokkor is the only Japanese lens I know that is made in Germany (mine has "made by Leitz" on the front ring). Should run you around US 300. Tiny, too.

Consider also other vendors. For example the CV 75/2.5 is excellent, small, relatively fast, and 75 is easier to handle on an M6 than 90.

Roland.

 

[jbielikowski]

There was a thread with photos made with 90s, cant find I thou...

Elmarits are really great, they can look bit long at first glance, but they make great balanced combo with M.

 

[kbg32]

Love my Elmar-C!!!

 

[ferider]

There was a thread with photos made with 90s, cant find I thou...

This one, maybe ?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85739

 

[kzphoto]

Of the 90's I've used, the 90 Summicron and the 90 f/2.8 M-Hexanon were the real stars. I sold the Summicron thinking I wouldn't use it but I miss having the focal length and the OOF renditions the lens is capable of producing.

I bought the 90 f/4 collapsible elmar thinking I would carry it more but I just don't use 90mm lenses. (mine is for sale in the classifieds right now, if you're interested. 🙂 )


Heather -- Alameda, CA by kzamani, on Flickr

90mm f/4 collapsible Elmar

 

[Steve M.]

Yep, the Elmar C and it's twin Rokkor 90 are sharp lenses w/ a definite Leica character. That said, I've owned both the collapsible and rigid 90 Elmars, and the IQ is a little different. Mine were beaters, as one had fungus and the other had haze and tons of cleaning marks on the front elements. Surprisingly, both were sharp as a tack though. I would think a clean collapsible would be sharper than a rigid, but maybe not by much. Best thing to do is buy one at a cheap price and try it.