j m shaw Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Hello all. Do any of you own the small Tele-Elmarit 90mm lens and what are your feelings on it? And how does it compare to say a Canadian 90 f/2 of about the same vintage. TIA Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 The 'cron is huge by comparison. I don't travel with the 'cron. You can see two photo's taken with the TE in my folder, it's a stellar performer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j m shaw Posted November 7, 2003 Author Share Posted November 7, 2003 Thanks Steve, great shots. I sure love the small size of the lens for travel. Your shot of the golden triangle takes me back to great times past. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Just bought one! Check with me in a few months and I'll let you know. To be as good as my 1962 Chrome Elmarit, it will have to be good . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n1664876959 Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 I just bought one too, a late one s/n 3378xxx with "90" on the barrel. Test roll looked good but that's all I've done with it. Some of the earlier ones developed etching on the rear element (known as TE disease) which can't be fixed because the rear elements of the lens are a sealed unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_hall1 Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 It can be prone to flare but it's about the only flaw of mys sample. Very compact and light. Shares the same E39 filter size with my 50 'Cron too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_piper2 Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 I love mine - but you should be aware of the two big caveats for the TE-M. 1) Some, seemingly mostly early (1970's) lenses develop a hazing/crazing of the rear elements, which is generally "not economical" to repair. Both rear elements must be replaced as a unit, and the units are no longer available from Leica. Steve Gandy's estimate is 5% of TEMs show this eventually. However after 30 years most of those that will, already have. 2) The TEM will show strong veiling flare when shot into the sun (internal barrel reflections). You want to find a good 12575 clip-on lens hood for those kinds of shots (unless you WANT the effect for a high-key romantic portrait). It will also occasionally pick up mild color casts from strong areas of color surrounding/behind the subject - e.g. blue when there is a strong blue sky just outside the frame, red or yellow if there is a sunlit expanse of brick/adobe wall in the background. I carry an 81A filter for those times when the sky might influence the image. My experience with my TE-M and 3-4 different non-APO 90 f/2s is that the TE has better resolution than the Summicrons at every aperture down through at least f/8. By f/4.5 the 'crons may show more contrast, but the TE will resolve finer details every time - small type, fibers within threads, etc. Be aware there is also a 90 Tele-Elmarit (so-called 'fat' version) from the 1960's. It is heavier than the Tele-Elmarit-M (1972-89), but about the same length - you can tell the earlier version by its heavy scalloping on the focus ring. Optically it runs about the same as the thin later version (perhaps a bit behind it at close distances), but with less flaring tendency. Frankly - I traded my Tele-Elmarit-M for the current 90 Elmarit-M design a couple of years ago. After a month I went back and retrieved the TE. It consistently produced a higher percentage of sharp pictures for me than the new design, even though the new design was clearly a 'better' lens on the few occasions it delivered. Focusing differences? Easier to hold? I don't know. But the TEM is in my bag forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_lagnese Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Mine developed the "disease". I sent it to leica new jersey and they said they would send it to germany to have he rear elements replaced. I believe he cost was 275us. Havent got it back yet. It was suspectible to flare, as others have said, but I found that the collapsible rubber hood for this lens worked well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmarkpainter Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 I love the Tele-Elmarit. It is supposed to not be as good at Close Focusing, but it sure isn't a problem to me. jmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark-j Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 I purchased a 90 TE last year and wind up using it more than my other 90's. I used a '64 90 Summicron for 30 years and then bought the TE for travel. It makes a terrific travel lens due to it's weight and size. I carry it and a 35 f:2.0 Canon with an M6 for travel. The TE gives me good results, although it is a little harsher in the oof areas than the older 90 Summicron or 90SAA IMHO. Cheers. Mark J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_l._doolittle Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Hi Mark, I have had one for many years...it's a fabulous lens exceeded only by the APO Summicrom, which is heavier and bulkier. The TE is a great travelling companion, exceeded only by my wife. Never leave home without it! Important to always use the proper lens hood. LHSA "Viewfinder" had agreat article by Dick Gilcreast (sp?) about a year ago. Suggest you get a copy or contact me and I'll send a copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_piper2 Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Here are some links to shots made with the 90mm Tele-Elmarit-M: http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=197283 http://www.photo.net/photo/430917&size=lg http://www.photo.net/photo/652351&size=lg http://www.photo.net/photo/652355&size=lg In the vertical kayaker shot (link 1) the logo/type on his chest is practically typeset quality in the full 2700dpi scan. Sharp li'l sucker! The 90 TEM is even a cool little studio lens, when you're working in tight spaces in amongst the lights and cords. And you can carry it in your pants pocket without looking like you're - ummmm - overly aroused by your subject matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameron_sawyer Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Hey Mark: I have the early 90 'cron. It is a great performer, but it is HUGE. It is almost as fat and half again as long as an 85/1.4 Nikkor. It looks like a big SLR zoom. Out of the question for travelling. You might consider the VC Apo-Lanthar, which according to many is better than the Tele-Elmarit optically and equal to the current Elmarit. It costs only $309 from Gandy. It's about the same size as the T-E and is half a stop slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry_soletsky1 Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 I had the first "fat" TE and then the thin one which I still have. Both are fine and the thin version is much lighter. I use it a lot. The rubber hood more or less disintergrated so I use the 90mm clipon hood. I also have the 90mm Elmarit which I used the lens head primarily with a bellows for closeup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_boyle3 Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 I've had the fat version for 35 years. Never had any problems with it and it provided excellent results. Used it mainly for portraits of girls and pictures of my cats. The fat version had 5 elements while the thin had 4, thus the difference in size and weight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray . Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 If you get the TE get a relatively late serial # in the run- they're supposed to be less prone to the etching in the glass problem. It's a great little lens, but for myself, using a 90 only occaisionally, I opted for selling mine and picked up an f/4 Minolta Rokkor M mount (looks exactly like and acts like a Leica) for about $400 less than what I sold the TE for. If you don't need the extra stop, it might be a bargain alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j m shaw Posted November 9, 2003 Author Share Posted November 9, 2003 Thanks for all the great advice I picked up a clean little TE later version I believe , for a great $ made in Canada (black) small light , can't wait to try it out seriously and see how she performs, thanks again for all the great input. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry_horricks__prague__cz Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Its a great lens...for me at least. I make a living shooting movie stills and I use it all the time on film sets, when I'm shooting under conditions which dont require my blimped camera. Mine at least (which is a Series III made in Canada version)is very sharp. I also use it alot of my own personal work. Put it on an M3 and you'll have a great combo with the 90mm frame...if you dont need an in-camera meter...the comment about the hood is valid as it does tend to flare and lose contrast in backlit situations without it. the snap on metal hoods are great and flip around to act as a lens cap. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclistmussel Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 <p>I did a review on this lens for my M8. Bottom line great line, with high resolving power and nice background rendition, similar to a 50mm summilux in a way. Mine had a back-focus problem and had to be sent to DAG. A bit tough to focus on the m8 w/o a magnifier.</p> <p><a href="http://www.danielvalentephotography.com/post/313526403/leica-tele-elmarit-90mm-f-2-8-review">Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit Review http://www.danielvalentephotography.com</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclistmussel Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 <p>I did a review on this lens for my M8. Bottom line great line, with high resolving power and nice background rendition, similar to a 50mm summilux in a way. Mine had a back-focus problem and had to be sent to DAG. A bit tough to focus on the m8 w/o a magnifier.</p> <p><a href="http://www.danielvalentephotography.com/post/313526403/leica-tele-elmarit-90mm-f-2-8-review">Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit Review http://www.danielvalentephotography.com</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclistmussel Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 <p>I did a review on this lens for my M8. Bottom line great line, with high resolving power and nice background rendition, similar to a 50mm summilux in a way. Mine had a back-focus problem and had to be sent to DAG. A bit tough to focus on the m8 w/o a magnifier.</p> <p><a href="http://www.danielvalentephotography.com/post/313526403/leica-tele-elmarit-90mm-f-2-8-review">Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit Review http://www.danielvalentephotography.com</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclistmussel Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 <p>I did a review on this lens for my M8. Bottom line great line, with high resolving power and nice background rendition, similar to a 50mm summilux in a way. Mine had a back-focus problem and had to be sent to DAG. A bit tough to focus on the m8 w/o a magnifier.</p> <p><a href="http://www.danielvalentephotography.com/post/313526403/leica-tele-elmarit-90mm-f-2-8-review">Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit Review http://www.danielvalentephotography.com</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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