Leica 90mm lens question

<p>I am a fairly new Leica M6 owner, although I have shot Nikon and Minolta SLR's since the mid-1970's. The only Leica lens I own thus far is the Summicron f/2 50mm.<br>

I would like to purchase a 90mm lens and would appreciate advice on which one to get. Money is somewhat of a factor so I plan to get it used. One lens I was wondering about was the Elmar f/4 90mm made for the CLE. Since that is an M mount lens, do you feel that would be a good one to consider? I want to be sure anything I buy is up to the high quality standards Leica is known for, which is why I purchased into the Leica system in the first place. You're all experts here with a great deal more knowledge than me and I'll appreciate your input.<br>

Chuck</p>

What generation Summicron do you own? If you like it's look, you might want to keep it on the 90. That is going to guide which generation you go after.

 

The Summicrons of the 1950's are lower-contrast, as is the Collapsible Elmar 9cm F4 of the 1950s.

 

Wide-open at F4, 1/15th hand-held on the M3, Fujicolor 200.

 

<center> <img src=http://camwk.com/picture.php?albumid=48&pictureid=501> </center>

 

The Collapsible Elmar is M-Mount, runs ~$200 or so.

 

If you prefer the high-contrast look of the newer Summicrons, also consider the 90mm F2.8 Tele-Elmarit. It will be a bit more money, but gives an extra F-stop of speed. Not much larger. I'll have to upload some scans with it. Figure $300~$400 or so.

<p>If money is an issue I, too, recommend the Tele-elmarit thin version. It is small compact not as sharp as the Elmarit...but are you looking for the sharpest lens for portraits and how often will you use it. All things considered the Summicron, Elmarit, & Tele-Elmarit are all good lenses. Look for condition and price.</p>

<p>Welcome to photo.net, Chuck!<br>

I'm not a Leica-expert but consider the Elmar-C (made for the CL) to be a nice walkaround-lens. It's tiny and a good performer - and very well built. If you don't need a fast lens and if you are able to pick up an attractively priced copy go for it.<br>

Hope this helps and please excuse my english, georg.</p>

<p>The f4 90mm macro lens is very fine. Modest aperature which means small in size. (Don't bother with the macro attachment.) Collapsible which means even smaller. If you look at the Leica site, they give the specs and you will see it is perfectly sharp wide open and all the way down. Not expensive new, and probably a bargain used. 90mm lenses are very hard to use at more than f4, to achieve tolerable focus and depth of field close-up. Check it out. Best of luck. Leica is a way of life, and I hope you find comfort with it. (I find the images unique in all photography. Not an easy camera, but a modern link to history, particularly photojournalism.)</p>

<p>Thanks, everybody, for your input. I don't know enough about Summicron 50mm lenses to know the generation. Here is info on the one I have: #2408933, Leitz Wetzlar, Summicron, f/2. Does that help?<br>

Chuck</p>

<p>I would look at the VC 90 Apo-Lanther over the Tele-Elmerit even though you lose a stop or half a stop.<br>

Its very hard to tell the difference in quality with a new Elmerit, which is a fantastic lens. A little less than that, better than many of the older Leica's.</p>

<p>I've owned most of the 90s made since 1950, and finally settled on a 2.8 Elmarit from 1959 because I like its rendition (and it is sharp) and the lens head unscrews so I can use it on my DSLR and SLR cameras, as well as with a Visoflex on my M4. The 90/2.0 Summicron ASPH I owned was razor sharp and had stunning contrast, but was a bit large for my purposes and too expensive to keep for a lens which wasn't used every day. I miss my 90 Tele-Elmarit, which I sold around 8-9 years ago, as it was a good walkabout lens, but not as versatile as the one I kept. IMHO forget the older Summicrons, they're too heavy. The collapsible Elmar did a great job for me in the 1980s with reasonable contrast and sharpness, especially on family portraits,, but looked kind of goofy on my M4...and wasn't that much smaller than the thin Tele-Elmarit. Anyway good luck with your choice...90 is a great focal length.</p><div></div>

<p>Chuck: The serial number you gave leads to a 1970 Summicron. I would agree with Brian and would look for a lens with a similar "signature". The 90 Tele-elmarit is not one of my favorites, but it is a compact travel lens. The 90 Elmarit from the late 60's and early 70's would be a good mate for your other lens and should be available for a reasonable price, depending on condition. I prefer the 90 Summicrons, but they are quite large compared to the Elmarit. The Elmar would also fill the bill, but I would prefer the faster Elmarit. Good luck with your endeaver and enjoy.<br>

Mark J.</p>

<p>I have been using the Minolta CLE 90/4 for years and can highly recommend it as a light and sharp, plus inexpensive lens. I also own a late-model pre-aspherical Summicron 90/2 which is more expensive but very good. A late model Elmarit 90/4 will probably do you. </p>

<p>You might want to check out the M-Hexanon 90/2.8, I think about the same size as a '70s TE, but possibly better for color use, and maybe even flare rejection. Try one out if you get a chance. I love mine, though it is a bit long with my crop digital RFs.</p>

<p>I liked the Summicron 90mm but it was a beast and a bit unwieldy. Great lens otherwise...</p>

<p>90mm Elamrit and it was about as long but lighter...</p>

<p>No experience with the f/4 90mm, but if it is smaller and lighter, then that would be my choice.</p>

<p>90 Elmarit-M 2.8 from the late 80s or later is stunning. Small enough on the camera or in the bag, and I always want the extra stop over the very good f4 offerings.</p>

<p>Agree with the others - my recommendations would be</p>

<p>90/4 Elmar (later M-only type) (but, no need to spring for expensive 3-element version) - great classic look - cheap!<br>

90/4 Rokkor - CLE optic - very nice and compact works excellently on a "real" M<br>

90/3.5 VC Apo-Lanthar - excellent modern optic<br>

90/2.8 original Elmarit as per Stephen (above) - great classic imaging<br>

90/2 late version (non APO) - fast, good value, bigger and heavy - beautiful imaging and fast.</p>

<p>Hi<br>

I still use a CL and a CLE and LOVE the Elmar 90/4: small, sharp and well made. If you need a bit more speed, the older 90/2.8 Elmar is great and the same size as the 90/4, but about $200-300 more. Can't find any or not any at a reasonable price? People LOVE the C-V 90/3.5 APO -Lanthar: perhaps not as well made as the Elmars, but the newest optics, multi-coated and very affordable. The most expensive is the fast 90/2: Too big for a CL/CLE but just fine on an M6. In my opinion not any sharper or better than the 2.8 or the f4.</p>

<p>At a minimum I would suggest f/2.8, unless your shooting fast film all the time. I prefer shooting 100-160 ISO films and portraits in the open shade, hence I've settled for the Summicron (f/2.0).</p>

<p>I shoot with the 90mm Summicron ASPH and love it. Since I only carry 2-3 lens max, I dont find the little extra weight of the Summicron a deal breaker.</p>