Leica LTM which one is best 90mm f4

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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sbaruche

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I am going to buy a 90mm or 9cm for my Epson R-D1 (135mm with crop factor) and Leica CL .

I am hesitant I found amint pre war 9cm and a good user 3 element at a veryresonable price

I know that These are two very different lens in construction and age
anybody had any expeirnces comparing both lens
sylvain
 
The best is the 90Cl. Made for the Cl.
Prewar will not be coated, I;d stay away from it unless you want that soft less contrasty look.
It all depends on price. The 90cl is not expensive either.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
 
Have to agree about the Pre-war lens; it was excellent in its time, but now far surpassed by modern multi-coated lenses.

If you can get the pre-war lens for less than $50, you might grab it for a lark (if you have mad-money), but spend cautiously. Also, inspect the lens for haze (shine a small flashlight through it - and look into the front of the lens at an angle: any haze will be readily visible.); haze will further decrease contrast and promote flare.

LF
 
wich one is best 90mm f4

wich one is best 90mm f4

This was my thoughts as well , anybody compared the 90mmf4 CL to the 90mm f4 three elements ?
thanks
 
I have a coated example of the elmar 90/4 and although it still has a vintage look the results are quite sharp. Not sure how this will translate to your crop factor.

fly01.jpg


shot fairly wide open at f5.6

I think for your use maybe have a look at Voigtlander lenses ? more expensive but much sharper
 
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Since you need M mount, not LTM:

The Elmar-C or Rokkor 90/4 are unbelievably sharp, contrasty, small and flare resistant. The Rokkor is easier to filter. Try, they are quite amazing and cheap.
 
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Al Kaplan will know. Alas he was reported in the hospital 6 days ago with a heart attack.

My best is the 3 element elmar is a little better, certainly more versatile as the head comes off for visoflex work. It is larger.

The CL lens is not as sharp at 2.8 as it is at 4.0. It is a good lens in it`s own right.

Al is the only person I know who owned one and we corresponded about it some years back.

Send him a PM and wait. I don`t feel it is right for me to put his e-mail in an open forum or even pass it around, although I am sure he likes to correspond .
Since we have not heard bad news, I will assume he is recovering. He may have needed bypass surgery which is a long recovery, a stint which is week, or nothing.
I wish he would give up smoking.
 
Per Lager, Gabor:

"In late 1963, Leitz Wetzlar announced a new three element 90mm Elmar, 11830, with click stops and dual focusing scale. Use of rare-earth optical glasses and the latest design techniques made this version of the 90mm Elmar superior to the earlier four element design."
 
three elements elmar 90mm

three elements elmar 90mm

I can get a three elements elmar 90mm users with barrel wears with good optics at the same price as an elmar C ? which one would you buy ?

was the 3 elements made of rare earth ?
can anybody post photos taken with the three elements
thanks

Sylvain
 
sbaruche said:
I can get a three elements elmar 90mm users with barrel wears with good optics at the same price as an elmar C ? which one would you buy ?

was the 3 elements made of rare earth ?
can anybody post photos taken with the three elements
Click to expand...
Normally, the 3E Elmar is 4x the price of the Elmar-C, so the offer is a win. However, the Elmar-C will have nicer bokeh. At 90mm, I own the classic Elmarit, 3E Elmar and earlier 4E Elmar collapsible. The 3E is lighter, sharper, and a sleek looker: I prefer it for travel. I also use it on a full-frame DSLR with similar results. Click for more details and pics... RFF: 3 element Elmar ?
 
There also is the new Carl Zeiss f/4.0 85mm Tele-Tessar. This is a five-element design in the Tessar configuration. The rear group is composed of two elements, rather than just one that is in the traditional Tessar configuration.

I haven't used it, but it should be a good lens with modern multicoating.
 
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The best bang for the buck is the CV 90/3.5 Apo Lanthar, it's as fast as you can use on the CL with decent focus acccuracy due to it's short rf base. It's image quality surpasses everything but today's best modern designs. The best lenses for an f/4 optic is the aforementioned ZI 85/4 Tele-Tessar followed very closely by the Leica 90/4 Macro-Elmar M. The 90/4 Elmar-C or Rokkor (Minolta's version of the exact same lens) and the 3 element 90/4 Elmar would be grouped a close second.
 
Hi Rico

in addition to short-mount OUAGO and OTZFO what else do yo need ? to mount the front lens of the 3 elements on a 4/3 Lumix L1
I have a 4/3 R mount adapater
thanks
Sylvain
 
I would suggest the tiny Canon 100mm 3.5. It is a very sharp and very small lens. It is great for portraits and for general photogarphy.
 
sbaruche said:
in addition to short-mount OUAGO and OTZFO what else do yo need ? to mount the front lens of the 3 elements on a 4/3 Lumix L1
I have a 4/3 R mount adapater
Click to expand...
Taking the Leitz route with your R adapter, we get
(3E head)(OUAGO)(14167)(R-to-4/3)(Lumix)​
Besides the Leica 14167, you can use the similar 14127: both adapt Visoflex M lenses to an R body. You can also take a Canon EOS or Nikon F route to get
(3E head)(OUAGO)(VisoM-to-F)(F-to-4/3)(Lumix)​
These items can be found on eBay, but take care to avoid the Leica screwmount stuff since the original Visoflex (I) is an incompatible system. Representative adapters for sale (expensive, but with good pics 🙂)...
 
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