The 90/2,8 Tele-Elmarit is a nice little compact lens. But check it carefully before comitting yourself. They were prone to having the balsam in the lens mount going bad.This shows as white specks around the glass edge. Once this has started. it will slowly degrade the glass by fogging. It is mostly seen on early ones, the later Canadian ones are fine.
The Elmarit 90/2,8 is a another good lens. Main problem with this one is the aperture blades. The can stick and also cut into each other. When you look at the lens from the front, you can see the blades, right up at the front of the lens. What happens is that the aperture ring gets stiff with age and if you try to force it, the blades bend and jam. It is one of the most spectacular aperture blade assembly you can see, Lot's of blades!
The fat 90/2,8 Tele-Elmarit is semi rare, but it is very good. It is a 5 element design and is a bit sharper at 2,8 than the small compact 90/2,8 tele-Elmarit. The latter was designed as a portrait lens and has a bit softer rendition wide-open.
The Pre-Asph 90/2 is a mediocre lens! Heresy I know, but I would put up the Version II Elmarit (collapsing hood) as a better lens. The first version of the 90/2 in compact shape (1990) stinks! The collapsible shade slides back and covers the aperture ring! Dont know how many shots I lost by turning the shade, rather than the ring. In the end I drilled and tapped holes in the barrel and locked the shade in extended position permanently.
If speed is not a problem for you-dont overlook the 90/4 Elmar. I have a thing about these lenses, particularly in the collapsible M-mount. It has to be one of the most solidly built lenses ever made! Not a bad performer and looks better than anything else in the 9o range!
The VC 90/3,5 Apo-Lanthar is another slower but extremely good lens. It is actually a true Apochromatic lens. It has the advantage of being a more modern design than either of the Version i of the Elmarit and Tele-Elmarit.
