I wanted to ask what kind of experience people have had with the early Elmarit 90mm, serial #2373985, made in 1969 I think. It has vulcanite at the bottom of the lens and the knurled focusing ring. What do you Leica shooters think of this vintage? I've been offered one for $450, condition is e++. Thank you in advance and please excuse me if this question has already been addressed.

Best, Tom Gallagher

-- Tom Gallagher (tgallagher10@yahoo.com), January 09, 2002

Answers

I owned one for a short time, and it is a very good performer. It was the sharpest 90 they made at that time. Takes the small 39mm filters as well. Be careful to check the inner elements with a flashlight for the dreaded "fog" that is to be found in many vintage Leica lenses.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), January 09, 2002.

This lens probably is #11129, a 4 element/3 group Visoflex lens. I had one and it was tack sharp. It was extremely well made and very user friendly. It stops down to f/32. It has more aperature blades than current 90s. I am not sure what the number of the lens hood is, but I *think* is is 12575. You could probably find out at Erwin Puts' site. I remember using that hood on my 50 'cron and there was no vigneting. You should get the proper lenshood with the lens. I've seen them selling for $75+. It is black metal with a black velvet lining. It is also a Visoflex lens. The price is right, especially with proper hood.

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), January 09, 2002.

Beautiful bokeh. Reasonably sharp (in the old-fashioned "resolution, NOT MTF" way). In my limited experience it was not quite as sharp as the 90 Tele-thin BUT others may disagree. Seemed to have less flare, but again my tests were not extensive (gray day). $450 is decent price - I just saw one with a Soc. Sec. number engraved on the barrel offered as a user at $695.(!) Long throw to the focusing ring, which IMHO increases accuracy a tad.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), January 10, 2002.

...oh, and the 12575 hood is correct - same as the 90 TE and the 135 TE. I actually found this hood NEW within the past 6 months, with plastic HOOD cap.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), January 10, 2002.

The lens is actually 5-element modified Hektor. I have a black version of it. In it's day it was simply known as the Elmarit.

The lens head can be used with a Universal Focusing Mount on a Visoflex II/III or with an additional adaptor on Leica SLR's.

According to Erwin Puts, it's better than all the 90's except the latest Elmarit and APO Summmicron.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), January 10, 2002.

Tom, I use a 90 Elmarit (1961) that is a very good performer, just doesn't have the same contrast as the newer lenses at the first 2 stops. It is a fine lens; as Bud has stated it is considered by those who have used all of the 90's to be eclipsed only the SAA and the new Elmarit lenses. It is light, although longish - not as dimunitive as the thin Tele-Elmarit. You should be able to purchase a mint to mint- example of this lens for $500 or less. I only bought my SAA lens because I wanted F2 (and it is GREAT at F2). My 41 year old Elmarit has flawless glass and mechanicals; shows use on the barrel - but, hey, I USE it! Don't be afraid of buying this lens.

-- David (pagedt@chartertn.net), January 10, 2002.

Tom, I bought the same lense for about the same price off eBay and have been very pleased. Mine has flawless glass, but one scratch on the exterior that does not affect operation. I've been watching eBay since purchasing it and have seen none priced lower - usually go for $500-700, so I believe it was good buy. Functionally, it is tack sharp, thought I can't say I've measured it against any other 90. I might have enjoyed the slightly smaller old fat tele-elmarit, but would the higher cost have been worth it? I don't think so. What makes it a bargain is the relatively low cost for a small, well-made, sharp 90mm lens. Enjoy should you choose to buy. I don't think you'll regret it you should be able to get your money out of it should you decide to buy a newer one someday.

-- Peter B. Goldstein (peter.goldstein@us.cgeyc.com), January 10, 2002.

I used one of these for 25 years until recently. It makes wonderful images, and is particularly nice as a portrait lens. Having used all 4 of the 90/2.8 versions over the years, I agree with Erwin Puts' ranking that places this version after the current Elmarit in image quality and in front of both TE's. IMHO, the only drawback is the size and weight. With the 12575 hood it is physically a really long lens, and feels a little odd to me when mounted on a Leica. One bit of trivia: this is the lens whose iris aperture you see opening in the first scene of the classic political thriller "Z." It is the "impartial eye" that is implied to observe/tell the story.

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), January 10, 2002.

I bought one of these new around 1962 or so, and I'm still using it. It's a sharp-cutting lens. One could hardly want better.

Here's an exercise to sesensitize the feeling that the lens is too long for the camera. Mount and use a 135mm Elmar or Hektor for a couple of weeks. Then mount the 90, which by then will seem like a compact normal lens!

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 11, 2002.

That was supposed to be "desensitize." Who designed this lousy keyboard, anyhow?

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 11, 2002.