Anyone use the LEICA MACRO-ELMAR-M 90 mm f/4?

[Bobfrance]

Hi All,

I only became aware of this lens recently.

Info from Leica site here...
http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/lenses/2191.html

It looks like a pretty handy travel lens given it's size and versatility. I'm just wondering if anyone has first hand experience of it?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Yes. I took one to China with me a few years ago. Very sharp, handy close focus, conveniently collapsible, takes the 'macro' adapter (which I've also used) but I already had a 90/2 Summicron and didn't find the close focus a big enough advantantage to carry two lenses, one painfully slow. Now I use the 75 Summicron more than the 90 I might reconsider.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Bobfrance]

Cheers for the info Roger.

I did wonder if f4 was a compromise too far in exchange for the size/flexibility.

I tried the 90/2 last weekend and found it to be very nice, but it is big and I think that perhaps a 75mm might be more suited to shooting on an M8. Don't see many of them about though.

Bob.

 

[Tim Gray]

I have one and really like it. It's an outdoor lens though. The f/4 kind of makes it that way. But, if you're ok with that, it's a tiny lens that can sit in the corner of your bag until you need it. The close focussing ability gives it a lot of versatility that you often don't have with RFs. If you have the macro adapter, you can go even closer...

I should say I don't shoot 90 very much. If I did, I would want more speed at some point.

 

[naruto]

Some shots on a local photography forum. No, I did not take those shots, but was sufficiently impressed by it. In what seems like a long time back, I used to chase butterflies with a D70/F5 + 105 Micro-Nikkor combo. 🙂

 

[Shac]

Bob - I have one and find it a great travel lens. I do not find the max aperture of f4 limiting - it produces excellent IQ at full aperture. I have a 90 AA and am considering selling it and keeping the Macro-Elmar. I also use the latter on a Viso II (can't afford /justify the high costs of the M-E's macro adapter) and find it a great combination.

If you don't need f2 or 2.8, I dopubt you can find a better performing 90.
Cheers
David