90mm collapsible Elmar

[Valerius]

Anyone who have an opinion about the collapsible 90 mm Elmar/M? It will mainly be used for B&W. Is the slow maximum aperture any major disadvantage as compared to a 90mm Tele-Elmarit/Elmarit? Should the 90mm CV/Apo-Lanthar be considere?

[cogitoergosum]

...I've been looking for test/review of the MACRO-ELMAR for the last 3 years...and never found anything relevant.
I don't have much to say, so I've posted some test shots.
I'll publish some B&W soon.

Michel

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michelg...7594351222917/

[FPjohn]

Hello:

A collapsible 90 Elmar, like the rigid 90 of the same vintage*, is an ideal portrait lens. It passes the spouse/girlfriend test whereas a TE or Elmarit might be just that much more truthful than is acceptable.

yours
Frank

*Er, i'm refering to the 1954-1968 version rather than the 90mm macro elmar.

[visiondr]

Herr Puts has a nice article on the Macro-Elmar-M 1:4/90mm

http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/ms...acroElmar.html

Here is his conclusion:
"With the exception of the Elmar-M 1:2.8/50mm, the Macro-Elmar must be the smallest optical package in the M-system. And with the exception of the Apo-Summicron 90mm and the Apo-Telyt 135mm it is one of the best overall performers. Its image quality in the near focusing range is unequalled in the M-range and this brings the added value to the lens. It does not replace one of the existing lenses, but brings new pictorial possibilities into the reach of the M-photographer. To identify this lens as a pure macrolens would be to restrictive. It is a very fine general purpose lens, that will deliver stunning images with today’s black and white and slide material."

A resounding thumbs up.
This lens is on my wish list.

Ron

[telenous]

Michel, excellent photos in your stream, thanks for sharing.

A flickr friend of mine has recently acquired the lens and he has uploaded his first test shots. Here's the link:

http://flickr.com/photos/diegocentri...s/macroelmarm/

The optical properties of the lens have been compared to the Apo Macro Elmarit R 100 f2.8; they both draw very scientifically, very accurately. If used for portraits I think it will be very different from, say, the much more impressionistic Summilux 75 f1.4. The compactness of the Macro-Elmarit is definitely a bonus; however the f4 means that this is effectively an outdoors lens.

Definitely in my wish list too.

[shaaktiman]

Hi,

I have the AOP MEM and I like it. But my original lens was the Voight APO 90 before I upgraded. Both are fine lenses, you can't go wrong with either of them. Here are my thoughts.

I loved the voigt. The only 3 things that irked me were the 1 meter close focus limit, the large size, (you need to keep the hood on it so it becomes a longish lens) and the slow speed. But to be fair, I am unable to focus precisely even at 4 so 2.8 would be wasted on me anyway. While 1 meter close focus is standard it was always just too far away for me.

The good news is that it is the best value for money out there in leica 90s. I personally think it holds its own against the tele-elmarit and I would even have a tough time seeing a big difference when compared to the recent elmar 2.8. Yes, it's THAT good. The build quality is also excellent. No play in the aperture ring and smooth, consistent focusing. Mine accompanied me on a roughshod trip through Bangladesh, India and Nepal followed by a year of constant use in NYC and it never got a scratch on it. I can't recommend this lens enough. I am a little sad I sold it.

The APO MEM is 5 times the price, even without the adapter. It is better but not so much that it is worth the extra $$ in my opinion. Its main advantages for me are the small size when collapsed and the fact that it can get much, much closer than the voigt. The adapter is a pain to pull out and use but I find the normal close focus distance to be close enough for the detail shots I like to take.

The disadvantages are annoying though. I can't carry it uncollapsed in my bag, the cap won't go over the hood unless it is facing backwards. I am also suspicious of how strong the uncollapsed body is. I wouldn't want to keep it banging around like I did the voight. So I can never just pull it out and use it, I always have to go through the procedure of opening the thing up. Annoying. As I mentioned before, the adapter is such a pain to use it may as well not exist. And finally, compared to the voigt, it is ugly and attention grabbing. But the quality is excellent, really second to none.

Hope that helps.

[pab]

In terms of optical quality there is not much in it. I started out with the CV apo-lanthar. Here are some sample pics:

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/266247/1/40698905

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/266247/1/10515718

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/266247/1/40698894

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/266247/1/40698882

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1264096/1/59296225


As you can see I do a lot of mountaineering and I found the lens a little too long, often hitting it against rocks. It is also quite long to stow away. Also using a polarising filter with the hood is impossible. Optically it is outstanding and it is very nicely built, with a smooth focus action.

I switched to the Leica collabsible elmar simply for its compact size. It is also easier to use polarising filters with the hood fitted. Some sample pics at:

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1940181/1/98365123

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1940181/1/98581469

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1940181/1/99731466

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1940181/2/100506474

I also have the macro adapter but rarely use it. At f/4 it is strictly an outdoor lens- excellent for travel but not really an indoor portrait lens.

The only thing I find irritating is having to extend the lens and then tighten it, but that's the price you pay for compactness.

Per

[shaaktiman]

I just realized that you may have meant that you were interested in the OLD collapsible elmar 90, not the new macro one.

If I'm wrong tho, here's a recent thread dedicated to the new macro 90 with some sample photos from a few folks.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=27268

[Valerius]

Many thanks for all valuable comments. I think I will go for the old collapsible M-mount Elmar 90mm.

/Per

[furcafe]

In general, it's a good, typical 1950s Leitz lens (low contrast, high resolution, watch out for flare). Whether the slow maximum aperture is a disadvantage will obviously depend on your intended use. If you intend to use the Elmar in anything resembling low-light situations (e.g., theatre, concerts), then yes, if not, then no. I have no experience w/the CV 90/3.5, but it certainly has a good reputation. For other vintage slow telephotos, I would recommend the Canon 100/3.5 in its various versions--excellent optics & very compact & lightweight (the collapsible Elmar is only compact when collapsed & is not lightweight as it has the same build quality as a Dual Range Summicron).

Originally Posted by Valerius

Anyone who have an opinion about the collapsible 90 mm Elmar/M? It will mainly be used for B&W. Is the slow maximum aperture any major disadvantage as compared to a 90mm Tele-Elmarit/Elmarit? Should the 90mm CV/Apo-Lanthar be considere?

[Valerius]

Hello everyone who helped me with the 90mm question,

Finally I ended up with a 90mm Tele-Elmarit, the slim version. It was too hard to find a collapsible 90mm Elmar in good condition.

Best regards,

Per