Playing with Elmarit-R 2.8/90mm on FF

BRunner · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 705 Location: Czech Republic

Recently I've got first version of Leitz Elmarit-R 2.8/90mm produced around 1969. It's heavily used, but optically and mechanically is fine and price was reasonable.
After three outings, I think it's great lens. Very sharp from f2.8 (I almost can't see difference between f2.8 and f4) very low CA, contrasty and great natural Leica color rendering. I think that in terms of image quality it can be compared to APO Lanthar 3.5/90 or Sonnar 2.8/85. It's very sharp for close-up's too. Well, another keeper Rolling Eyes

Here is few better samples, all wide-open except #6 which was made at f4 or f5.6.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Very nice captures #3, 4, 5 Smile

I think it's the first time I see photos from the first version of the lens - I have the second version but from what I can see there is no real difference to be noticed.
I like the Elmarit-R 90 much. I like it better than the Summicron-R.

IAZA · Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 2587 Location: Indonesia

Those're very nice images.
I think my elmarit 90 is 1rst version too. And I like it very much. Another not for sale lens. CA appears only in strong light background.
I haven't try summicron yet. Maybe someday, But Orio's pointing make me doubt about summicron Very Happy

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

tobbsman · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 2578 Location: Austria

very nice !! The portraits are very natural, especially #5 ...

Cheers
Tobias

pich900 · Expire: 2012-12-27

Great serie and great lens as well Very Happy

....I like especialy the portrait #3 and # 4, very nice skin rendering and colours tone....
I have actualy the summicron (last version "E55"), I have no idea if the elmarit is better or not than the summicron but I must say than I'm also quite happy with my lens Very Happy

!!!...it is may be a little bit soft wide open but I found the rendering quite nice .....if you want to see some samples with the summicron on FF (Nikon), here is it :
http://forum.mflenses.com/portrait-leica-r-2-90mm-and2-more-shots-t32941.html

(just hope you don't mind BRunner if I post pictures on your thread Embarassed

...)

BRunner · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 705 Location: Czech Republic

Thank you all! I have Summicron 90 as well, but I don't used it much yet. At f2 the rendering of fine details and structures is soft, but contrast is high. Stopped down to f2.8 is not that much different to Elmarit.
I will probably keep only one of them and currently I lean more towards Elmarit, or maybe I will replace both of them with second version of Elmarit (just because is smaller and lighter).

I was too pleasantly surprised with the portraits. Lighting conditions was not easy - strong sunlight and deep shadows in the forest, but both Elmarit and 5D cope with it very well.

(it's ok Pascal, it's discussion, not exhibition Wink

)

BRunner · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 705 Location: Czech Republic

Few another photos from trip to Traunstein. My only complain goes to slight greenish cast, which can be seen in the landscapes. But this is common to all older Leica lenses and I don't see it with my Leica lenses made after 1990.
Does anybody know when approximately Leica changed coatings on their lenses?
I had APO-Telyt from 1982 with greenish cast (though lower than APO-Telyt from 1979). But my latest APO-Telyt from 1992 has already very neutral color rendering (comparable to APO-Macro-Elmarit made after 2000).

@f4

@f8

tobbsman · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 2578 Location: Austria

That's a cracker, superb !

Cheers
Tobias

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

Wonderful shots here in this thread!

I was allowed to try the later version of the Elmarit 90 in Italy, Orio's copy and I really, really liked it.
Your photo prove my impression right. Wink