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Leitz Elmar 4/90
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:20 am    Post subject: Leitz Elmar 4/90 Reply with quote

Hi folks

I've been thinking of buying one of these so I figured I'd ask for opinions on it and see if anyone has samples taken with it.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hear they are shhaarp, good color and produce amicable bokeh . IAZA has some samples here somewhere, you'll have to dig it up.What camera do you use?


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEX-3.

Ken Rockwell only had this to say about it's IQ:

Quote:
It's always contrasty, but it's softer in the corners at the largest apertures. f/11 and f/16 are optimum.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a late LTM version, an M mount collapsible version, and a three element late M mount version. The 3 element one was the best, but using it on a Nex, I wouldn't pay the premium for one. Get a nice late ltm version-very light lens, nice handling. The nex won't display the corners anyway.

I always shot mine @F8-plenty sharp enough.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

anscochrome wrote:
I had a late LTM version, an M mount collapsible version, and a three element late M mount version. The 3 element one was the best, but using it on a Nex, I wouldn't pay the premium for one. Get a nice late ltm version-very light lens, nice handling. The nex won't display the corners anyway.

I always shot mine @F8-plenty sharp enough.


It is the LTM version I am looking at, I like small lenses on the NEX and I don't have anything in the 85-90mm range.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kathmandu wrote:
I hear they are shhaarp, good color and produce amicable bokeh . IAZA has some samples here somewhere, you'll have to dig it up.What camera do you use?


Yeah, it sharp from wideopen. I had the latest Leica M version, 15 blades. bokeh is better than voigtlander 90/3,5 api lanthar
here's comparison of both http://ihyaahsani.blogspot.com/2011/08/voigtlander-apo-lanthar-90mm-f35-mc-ltm_04.html

here's my sample of elmar http://ihyaahsani.blogspot.com/2011/05/leitz-wetzlar-m-elmar-904.html (don't judge the IQ, I reduced it due internet conncetion was awful)

about the wanker comment, I didnt really care about corners, its portrait lens. not for landscape.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow IAZA, it looks great! Amazing bokeh plus very good at closest focus distance (which looks very close)!

I want one! Off to see if it will adapt to Canon EOS!


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kram wrote:
Wow IAZA, it looks great! Amazing bokeh plus very good at closest focus distance (which looks very close)!

I want one! Off to see if it will adapt to Canon EOS!


It won't, register distance of both LTM/M39 and M-mount is much smaller than EOS.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian> I have edited your earlier post to take out the offending term to describe Ken Rockwell.

I doubt I need to tell you why.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Kram wrote:
Wow IAZA, it looks great! Amazing bokeh plus very good at closest focus distance (which looks very close)!

I want one! Off to see if it will adapt to Canon EOS!


It won't, register distance of both LTM/M39 and M-mount is much smaller than EOS.


Drat! Bummer! Sigh...


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kram wrote:
Wow IAZA, it looks great! Amazing bokeh plus very good at closest focus distance (which looks very close)!

I want one! Off to see if it will adapt to Canon EOS!

Thanks Mark.. actually its not really close. I cropped to see detail on insect shot which is amazed me.
If you want for EOS, go for elmarit R 90/2,8 mount. it has closer MFD. and of course better lens.

Ian, My friend has LTM version, I think Leica M version has better result. but maybe more expensive.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:31 pm    Post subject: Re: Leitz Elmar 4/90 Reply with quote

iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Hi folks

I've been thinking of buying one of these so I figured I'd ask for opinions on it and see if anyone has samples taken with it.


Which version? There were several. And of course it won't work on an SLR.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, great little lens. And it's one of the most affordable Leica lenses.

I use my copy on my NEXes (it's in the NEX bag regularly) and my M39 RF cams.


iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Kram wrote:
Wow IAZA, it looks great! Amazing bokeh plus very good at closest focus distance (which looks very close)!

I want one! Off to see if it will adapt to Canon EOS!


It won't, register distance of both LTM/M39 and M-mount is much smaller than EOS.


Sometimes, it is still possible. It is with the Leitz Hektor 4.5/135, because of it's unscrewable front part.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

martinsmith99 wrote:
Ian> I have edited your earlier post to take out the offending term to describe Ken Rockwell.

I doubt I need to tell you why.


What is that all about? Mr. Rockwell is obviously one of the more intelligent photographers.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian - just for interest . . .

I have a 90mm Elmar, 4-element version, M mount which I use on my M8, optically it's identical with the later screw thread 90 Elmars. It's a shabby lens, several scratches on the rear surface, dust and various other bits inside it.

First pic - full length of frame, height cropped to tv screen format (don't ask why!), lets you see the "Bokeh". Distance to clothes pegs about 5 feet, distance to shed behind about 12 feet. Full aperture, overcast, DNG file from Capture 1 saved as JPEG. Software automatically add a moderate amount of sharpening which does virtually nothing to change the nature of the raw image.




2nd pic - same camera position, this is a centre crop. The sun came out, I think this was f8 but it might have been f5.6. This one is sharpened exactly as I do all my other test shots The extra contrast results from the ambient lighting and not processing.


If you can find a nice example for around £75 - £100 I'd say great, get one. It has a lovely "fingerprint". As a bonus, the lens head comes off and can be used on a bellows.

But prices are getting silly and if you were looking to spend the £250-300 that now seems typical in UK (although for M mount) then I'd say think about an Apo Lanthar instead. It's a modern lens, acts like one, and is very sharp indeed.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The one I was bidding on went for 65ukp:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110802974661?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649#ht_5297wt_1163

I was looking to pay around 40, guess I'll have to budget little hgigher.


PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I doubt you'll even get an uncoated one for £40 these days, more's the pity. The screw ones are still cheaper than the M fitting, though, so hopefully you'll be able to get a good A36 screw mount version for well under £100. Good luck !


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
The one I was bidding on went for 65ukp:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110802974661?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649#ht_5297wt_1163

I was looking to pay around 40, guess I'll have to budget little hgigher.


jeez that was cheap--i was going to suggest you also consider the Canon 100/3.5, which I'd wager is sharper, but you won't find a nice one for that price Smile





100


they run 150 USD or so

lightest smallest 100mm for 135 ever made--185 grams


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Actually, I have one of those Canons in my watch list on ebay, thanks for the tip.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Canon 3.5/100 went for 62 bucks but it has the worst case of internal haze/fungus I've seen:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270885516467?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649#ht_500wt_1413


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Elmar rarely goes for under € 100,-


PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Canon 3.5/100 went for 62 bucks but it has the worst case of internal haze/fungus I've seen:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270885516467?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649#ht_500wt_1413


Many stories of trying multiple copies to get one that's haze free over at RFF. As with many Canon RF lenses, the haze is a serious issue--mine has a small amount. It does not come off in many cases.

For either of theses lenses, I would consider a WTB at RFF, because many have them, but because of the low value, do not bother selling--however if they see someone craving one.....

Also they will tilt the lens in the light for you to tell if it has that light haze.

Another option for you---as you may know--is the contax G 90/2.8, which is very good on the nex, though it needs the funky adapter. This lens is very easy to find in perfect condition for about 170USD, it's small and much faster--also very sharp.

My current preferred 90:


It took me awhile to realsie what a superb lens the tele-elmarit is--very small as you can see. Many of these also suffer from a special hazing which ruins them.



only one of the versions is this small--sometimes a rare clean one can be bought for 600USD


PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's a sample from my Elmar Wink



If you wanne go faster, look for the Steinheil Culminar LTM 85 f/2.8 Very Happy
Shorter than the Elmar, but slightly "fatter". Weight feels about the same Wink


PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kram wrote:
Wow IAZA, it looks great! Amazing bokeh plus very good at closest focus distance (which looks very close)!

I want one! Off to see if it will adapt to Canon EOS!

In my local forum, there's 90/4 elmar converted to Nikon on sale. So I gues it will be OK to convert it to EOS
here's his sale elmar 90/4 Nikon Mount