90mm Tele-Elmarit vs older 90mm Elmarit

[Steinberg2010]

I've been thinking of getting a 90mm lens to go with my Leica kit to round out my focal lengths (all my lenses are 25-35-50 otherwise). I noticed my local store has two 90mm that I could stretch my budget to, the 90mm Tele-Elmarit (made in Canada), and an older 90mm Elmarit-M (made in Wetzlar).

They are priced similarly so there isn't much to distinguish on cost. I would be curious to know which you would choose and why (I have no experience with Leica telephotos).

I would be using on film (B/W M3) and digital (M246).

Thanks!

~S

 

[AveryWagg]

All my experience has been on the Canadian Tele-Elmarit using film, so take this as a simple end-user experience, but I can tell you that it's an outstanding lens. I bought it new in 1974 and had it CLA'd by Wetzlar last year. If I move to digital, I won't sell it..

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I used them all over time; the thin tele-elmarit, the fat one, the Elmarit M (longer one with the front that could be unscrewed and used on a Visoflex) & the last one with the integral hood. I always placed a premium on size with my M camera kit, & my favourite was the 'fat' tele elmarit.

 

[Glenn2]

The fat Tele-Elmarit is my favourite as well. The small size makes it easy to carry and use as it's only slightly bigger than a 50mm Summicron and takes 39mm filters. Mine is the Canadian version bought new in the late sixties for $204.

It's also my lens of choice for panning action shots at slow shutter speeds.
This shot was wide open at f/2.8 and 1/15".....

 

[Fred R.]

Steinberg2010,
Do you mind saying what price they're going for?
Fred

 

[peterm1]

I have a relatively early "fat" Tele Elmarit as well as a later skinny version. Both are very good image wise when the conditions are right. But be aware that both seem to have a tendency to flare quite badly sometimes in certain lighting conditions. I am unsure which is the worse of the two - though I think it to be the later skinny version but I have had it in both.
I think the Elmarit is better in this regard. Others may be able to comment. In any event if you buy either the Elmarit or the Tele Elmarit, it may be advisable to also buy an original Leitz hood of the type used for these - I forget it's designation. This will help especially with the Tele Elmarit.

 

[Steinberg2010]

Steinberg2010,
Do you mind saying what price they're going for?
Fred

$750-799 (the tele being slightly more) - This store has been willing to come down in the past on a previous used item and I suspect the same might be possible here.

I'm noticing there's a slight shift towards the 'fat' tele at this point - is it merely the form factor (which I appreciate - I can see it would go well with my DR) - or are the optics different at all from the 'thin'?

~S

 

[DwF]

I am partial to the "Fat" Tele as well. I've had two of these at least over the years, as well as a Thin just prior to owning my current "Fat" one. The "Thin" version I had tended to flare, and I rarely shot with it open. My current "fat" one does not have that issue, and I use the larger original hood.

Years back, I owned the Elmarit-M with built in hood. A nice and even "better" lens, but one that I never bonded with nor have I since had any desire to get again. I've always liked the 90mm Elmarit f2.8 , and also had one of those just a few years back. I only let it go because I preferred the "fat" Tele.

David

 

[Deleted member 65559]

#12575.... really nice rigid hood

 

[ktmrider]

I used the 90 Tele Elmarit M for years as one half of my two lens travel kit. It takes a 39mm filter and is the same length as the latest 50 Summicron. I could put it in one pocket, a couple rolls of film in another, and a 35 on the M body and I was all set. Besides portraits, it makes a great landscape lens, especially if stopped down to f5.6 or so.

And for an optic made by Leitz, it was and is very affordable. Unfortunately, it was stolen in December along with a 25mm. I replaced the 90 but not the 25.

 

[Hans Berkhout]

I sold a tele elmarit because of flared images. With the second one I bought I had the same problem, flare on occasion.
No problems with Elmarit m 90mm

 

[David Murphy]

Tele-Elmarit

Tele-Elmarit

My impression on having examined a couple of them as possible acquisitions a few years ago was that the Tele-Elmarit is somewhat prone to haze. Maybe I just had some bad luck. Perhaps someone else can comment.

 

[Rob-F]

I have the chrome Elmarit I bought new around 1962 or so. I've always considered it an extremely sharp lens, especially at f/5.6 and f/8. Much later I added the thin TE. Today I usually carry it rather than the Elmarit. I don't know which is sharper, but color is a little better with the TE, probably because of more modern coatings.

 

[DwF]

#12575.... really nice rigid hood

Yes, that is the hood to use!


The morning I was out in the Valley and made this exposure, I recall the "Fat" Tele behaved even when pointed more directly toward the sun.
I feel that the bit of flare here is well controlled and maybe even enhances the image.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

The 90mm Tele Elmarit ('fat' version) was one of the first lenses I bought for my M2, and I use it regularly on film and digital (Z6). No complaints, it has wonderful rendering and it's absolutely tiny.


Portra160


Z6

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The 90mm Tele Elmarit ('fat' version) was one of the first lenses I bought for my M2, and I use it regularly on film and digital (Z6). No complaints, it has wonderful rendering and it's absolutely tiny.

I like that second photograph, it is a magnificent 'quiet' landscape!

 

[1joel1]

I have a very early silver fat tele elmarit and have had it for 20+ years. I have compared it to APO Summicron and when stopped down, could see no difference. The fat TE is tiny, sharp, and a Mandler designed lens. The older one doesn't hold up at all.

Joel

 

[Steinberg2010]

I ended up getting the thin T-E - it seems sharp and no problems yet with flare(!)

~S

 

[Shac]

I have had the thin T-E, the Elmarit and the last version. The T-E flared even with the long hood. When it doesn't flare (mainly when sun not quite in frame), I agree it's a great lens. The older Elmarit also flares, but the last version (with the built-in hood) is by far the best IMO.
One thing to be wary about with the thin T-E is that the rear elements can suffer from a have a haze problem that cannot be fixed. So just check before you buy.

 

[awilder]

I've owned the longish Wetzlar Elmarit (E39), compact Canadian Tele-Elmarit (E39) and the larger Solmes Elmarit-M (E46). The Wetzlar Elmarit was the softest of the group and the Elmarit was razor sharp. The Tele-Elmarit is super compact being only slightly larger than the 50 V3 'cron, has decent performance but can flare a little with adverse lighting. The main thing to check on that lens is the absence of any internal fungus on the rear element commonly known as the dreaded "TE disease". If present, it cannot be fixed due to the way the rear elements are cemented as an air spaced unit. If not present by now, no worries. Another option if price is a concern is the Konica Hexanon-M which performs almost as well as the far more expensive Elmarit-M.