90mm M advice

I love my 1961 90 Elmarit. It's the only 90 I've ever owned, so I can't compare it to any other lens, but since I like the results, I've never even considered looking for a different 90. Paid around $160.
 
peter_n said:
If you end up considering a "thin" Tele-Elmarit (TE) make sure the serial nr. begins with a 3. Some earlier versions of that lens suffered from what became known as TE disease, an unexplained etching on the rear elements. See below for a PN thread comparing the Elmarit and TE:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=002lwh
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Just to add a point of clarification, not all thin Tele-Elmarit lenses with serial numbers beginning with a 2 have this problem.
 
vrgard said:
Just to add a point of clarification, not all thin Tele-Elmarit lenses with serial numbers beginning with a 2 have this problem.
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That's correct. I did say "some" but maybe I should have been a bit more explicit. I've seen several estimates bandied about on the internet, the range is that 5% to 10% of TEs sufferered from the malady.
 
Seriously consider the CV 90 APO. Even Puts says it's better than any Leica 90 except the latest.
 
Nick R. said:
Seriously consider the CV 90 APO. Even Puts says it's better than any Leica 90 except the latest.
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I second Nick's suggestion. The CV 90 APO is a great lens--sharp and IMO leica-like in look.
 
I've been happy with a Elmarit II. I paid $500 for a mint one from a local shop.
 

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What's the difference

What's the difference

Sorry if this is a silly question, but which are the type I and II 90 Elmarits, when were they produced and how are they different from today's version? I'm also looking at getting a 90mm soon, so any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
 
Thanks vencha.

Magus, not arcane at all, more like fascinating!

My fiancee does not always like the images (of her) produced by the current 50mm Summicron, which is my only lens as far, so I'm looking for something which would be not too sharp in terms of reproducing skin flaws accurately..

Thanks again!
 
gertjen said:
Thanks vencha.

Magus, not arcane at all, more like fascinating!

My fiancee does not always like the images (of her) produced by the current 50mm Summicron, which is my only lens as far, so I'm looking for something which would be not too sharp in terms of reproducing skin flaws accurately..

Thanks again!
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You're welcome.

Smiling. Your fiance has given you GAS, hey? :) That's good. Whatever 90mm lens you pick, use it wide open to photograph your fiance.
 
She has indeed given me GAS.. And it's worse than ever before! I guess this time the expense can be justified with wanting to make better pictures of her :) .. Is there any substantial distortion when doing head and shoulders with a 75mm compared with a 90mm? I have experienced that the 50mm does sometimes make faces look not quite right if I'm too close to the subject.

There's a used but not abused 75mm Summilux going for the equivalent of about $1200 USD in a local shop here. I'll stop by and take some shots with it in-store. Hopefully noone else will snatch it up before I've saved up enough. If not, I guess others will come my way eventually!

Thanks again!
 
Gert, the Elmarit (I) is, as mentioned, a great lens and works really well for portraits. Here is one sample, shot wide open at the limit of its close focusing abilities (as always my focus is off just a tad):

62632268.jpg
 
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