90mm Elmar Questions

[cary]

I just picked up a 90mm Elmar in silver, screw mount, made in 1950. Leica also made the lens in M mount which looks identical to mine. Are they optically the same? Are they any different except for mounts?

[wlewisiii]

Rather than try to explain what little I know, read this pnet thread: http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=002q4N&tag=

All I really know in the end is I have a thin prewar lens that helps me to make images I like :)

William

[Ronald M]

Results are almost the same for the last screw and M versions. The M verson is a little longer. The screw mount one will not focus to infinity on the viso except perhaps on the bellows, but not using the short focus mount.

There was a final three element bayonet made with nonrotating focus mount at collector prices. This performs better than any other. Cost is about $1000.

[Ronald M]

The lens cell does not rotate as you focus. It looks totally different.

http://cgi.ebay.de/LEICA-ELMAR-M-4-90mm-3-ELEMENT-TOP-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ7591701918QQcategoryZ12872QQcmd ZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

copy and paste to the e bay offering. There are several views

[Ronald M]

Well the whole address did not stick. Put 3 element elmar in google. It is on the second page, third item.

[jaapv]

This page seems to pop up more and more. It should be read with caution. This is just a collection of internet entries, and is not necessarily a reflection of realistic prices.

[jaapv]

Sure- but for instance I lost 3 e-bay auctions at $ 1850 max bid for a Summilux 75; I finally was happy to find a mint one at 1800 Euro. They are listed at $ 1375 to $ 1500. I am not saying it is without merit - rather the opposite. But it is not the final price fixing word.

[dadsm3]

I have an older LTM (#838192) that takes a 34mm filter, and an M mount (#1355850) that takes the std E39....the screw mount is considerably smaller, but in my view the M mount is a superior lens.