Stolen Lenses

[ktmrider]

I had two lenses stolen yesterday: 25f2.8 Zeiss and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M. Now I only used the Zeiss once in two years but the 90 Elmarit was a great travel companion for the 35f2.8 C Biogon. I have the 135f2.8 which I can use in place of the 90 for the near future.

I am looking for advice on a replacement for the 90. My main film cameras are the M2 and M4 so no 75mm frame lines. I would like small and light for travel but would consider the 90 Summicron (seem to have a very reasonable price).

Thanks, Richard Newton

 

[xayraa33]

Sorry to hear about your loss....there should be a special place in hell reserved for thieves, extra flamey and hot.

The 90mm Tele Elmarit is a nice lens but a Canon f3.5 100mm can be just as useful and bokeh-licious and a compact portrait lens and at a fraction of the price of that Leitz lens .

 

[james.liam]

Sorry to hear about your loss....there should be a special place in hell reserved for thieves, extra flamey and hot.

The 90mm Tele Elmarit is a nice lens but a Canon f3.5 100mm can be just as useful and bokeh-licious and a compact portrait lens and at a fraction of the price of that Leitz lens .

Colors aren’t on a par with the 90 Elmarit M. I have the Canon 100/2 and pastel is the best description. Stick with what you knew because there’s really nothing to beat it. The 90/2 APO is a pricey bit of kit and over double the Elmarit in cost.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... I am looking for advice on a replacement for the 90. ...

First off - so sorry you were ripped off! I had my entire Leica R system stolen in a home robbery many years ago (no insurance), so I empathize.

In no particular order, I can highly recommend (any of these can be had for <US$1,000) -

1. 90mm pre-Apo/Asph Summiron;
2. 90mm Elmarit-M (the latest version with collapsible shade); or
3. 85mm Zeiss Tele-Tessar ZM

I've owned all three at one time or another and they're all great lenses. The Zeiss is the slowest in this group at f/4, but personally I find that plenty fast for a short-tele.

And FWIW, I think the 25mm Zeiss Biogon ZM is a fantastic lens; it performs at least as well and the Leica 24mm Elmarit-M with only slight color variations between them (the Leica renders a little warmer).

 

[Shac]

Another vote for the 90mm Elmarit-M (the latest version with collapsible shade).
I had one and regret selling it

 

[madNbad]

I mentioned it in your original post, Zeiss 85mm 4.0 ZM. Takes the same filters as the Biogon. I've owned two of the 90 Tele-Elmarits' and as much as I like them, having filters the same is a bonus.

 

[Takkun]

Sorry for your loss and hope you can get it resolved soon. I had my trusty Bronica stolen this summer and it was heartbreaking.

I picked up a 90 Summarit last year from KEH for a steal, and I quite like it. It's not nearly as compact as the old Tele-Elmarit but far smaller than the SLR lens I traded up for it. It's also not as smooth focusing as some of the other 90s, but I'll take that over the price premium.

 

[santino]

Best bang for the buck is probably the 90 C Elmar or the Minolta equivalent 90 Rokkor. Tack sharp in the center and pretty small.

Sorry to hear about your stolen lenses.

 

[rfaspen]

First of all. I need to calm down....I actually get furious when I hear about these thefts of our (OUR!) equipment. Stupid thieves usually have no idea what they're taking and care less that we worked to get our lenses. Not them! My blood just boils. Damn theives ...... (OK, deep breaths)

Now, I second the suggestion for the often overlooked Minolta Rokkor 90/4. I'm talking about the version that was made for the CLE and uses 40.5mm filters. This lens is a genuine sleeper. Really it is. So small and light. Such great performance. Standard filter size. Just so nice.