Info/value value of a 3 element elmar 90 ?

[Meakin]

A couple of weeks ago, I ended up buying a Leica M3 "set" (body + 4 lenses, very good price) - that I Intended to use while I wait for my "other" M3 to get back from CRR in the UK...yeah I know...bad excuse but.....anyway.😉

After taking a closer look I realise that the Elmar 90/4 that was included, is infact the reasonably rare 3 element version. Supposedly this lens renders sharper than the normal elmar 90. And thats more or less all I know about it.

Now this lens, is as close to a "new" vintage leica lens that I have ever seen. still in its plastic bubble, absolutely no marks, chrome very bright, glass perfect etc.

So, It all boils down to this , should it stay or should it go? - I've got a normal Elmar-C 90 that I have been using until now. But if the 3-element is "better"?....well, this is subjective I know.

I know that once I start using it - it will definately take on som "patina" as It'll become a tool like the rest of my gear and used as such.

Any opinions are welcome,

Cheers,

Meakin

 

[Meakin]

Here is a quick digi snap for anybody that's curious as to how it looks.



As you can see it has a more "scalloped" focus ring - compared to the standard elmar 90.

 

[payasam]

If it gives you results as good as or better than the Elmar-C, you might like to keep it for its better build.

 

[Meakin]

Good point re. the build quality as it does seem better.

Just thinking out loud really, as I was wondering if it really is more of a collectors lens then a user's, and if I would be better of selling it for something possibly more usable (summicron 90,elmarit 90 etc.)

At the same time, I'm worried about throwing it in the gear bag and tarnishing/hurting it's resale value should I decide It wasn't for me.

If it gives you results as good as or better than the Elmar-C, you might like to keep it for its better build.

Cheers,

Meakin

 

[payasam]

Get a case for it, or else stow it wrapped in a small hand towel.

 

[Avotius]

very pretty lens you have there, a quick look at the Leica M lens price guide here http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/a.htm shows this lens goes for about 625 dollars but if you indeed have a very good copy there you might be able to get a little more from a collector.

 

[Meakin]

Thanks Avotius,

That link had disappeared so far back into the cobwebbed corner of my mind, that I couldn't even think of it, when trying to think of it.😉

very pretty lens you have there, a quick look at the Leica M lens price guide here http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/a.htm shows this lens goes for about 625 dollars but if you indeed have a very good copy there you might be able to get a little more from a collector.

Cheers,

Meakin

 

[Tom A]

The three-element 90f4 is one of those inexplicable lenses that crops up now and then (The Rf Nikkor 105f4 is another one). In this case Leica already made a line of very good 90's and the 3 element did not seem to fit the line-up. Sales of it were quite disappointing and they stopped making it after a short run. Their biggest customer was the Swedish Army who ordered 200 of them (nicely engraved with 3 Crowns) and promptly put them in a warehouse and forgot them! Some years ago a friend in Sweden bought them at an auction and resold them for about 1000% profit.
They are quite collectible, even without the 3 crowns and tend to bring good money. Performance wise it is neither better nor worse than the "regular" 90f4 - a bit lighter, but not by much.
I would shoot with it and compare it to your 90f4 C lens - if you like it,keep it and if not, use it in a trade for something better. Value is probably in the $750-900 bracket and looking at the condition, I would put it in the higher end here.

 

[Meakin]

Thanks Tom - great info.

I'm actually not that far from Sweden, maybe be I should go over and have a good rummage around some of the off-site army warehouses over there.. ;-)

Cheers,

Meakin

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Meakin,

My own feeling is that unless a 'collectible' gives unique results (e.g. Thambar), or unless I REALLY, REALLY want it, I'd rather trade it in on something newer and more useful and let the 'collectors' enjoy the 'collectible'. This is why my mint IIIg became a new 90/2 Summicron and my black paint M3 became a new M4-P. Of course if it had been a black paint M2 I'd probably still be using it...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Tom A]

The swedish military did order some interesting stuff. The famous black paint IIIF's and IIIg's (the 90f4 Elmars 3 elemet were part of that batch, as were LTM Summaron's 35f2.8). Most of this stuff has been snapped up by collectors, but some of the Robot aerial cameras pop up now and then - you have to provide your own jet though. There we also a series of 250mm Meyer lenses with Leica 1f's (I think they were 1fs?) for the Coastal Defence Force as well as some Voigtlander 6x9 Bessa folders with military engravings. Of course there are multiple variations of Hasselblads too. After the war Sweden was one of the few countries undamaged and with a robust economy - as well as a paranoid military who wanted "documentation" of every russian sub that strayed in to Swedish water.
Great incentive for buying top notch equipment!

 

[raid]

Supposedly, my Zeiss 5cm 2.0 LTM was part of 200 lenses that were made for Sweden, in return for metal ore.

 

[Meakin]

Thanks guys, both for all the help, and shedding some light on the lens.

After mulling it over in my mind last night - me thinks that I've come to the conclusion that this lens is going to go. After all - I don't need two 90mm (especially two 90/f4's), and funds received from a sale - will go straight back into some leica gear ( 21mm keeps on popping up from the previously mentioned cobwebbed corner of my mind for some reason)

So, it will be for sale soon - any takers ? 😉

Thanks again,

/Meakin

 

[Beemermark]

Here's one on Ebay for a buy it now price of $1,299. Sounds just like your description. For reasons I can't fathom 90's are cheap. I just sold a real nice 90 Elemarit for $250. I also have a Minolta 90F4 and a new 90/2.8. The only 90 I never liked was a Summicron.