[Leica] Leica Elmar 90mm f4 LTM

[Frank Filippone]

I have one that has a serial number below 100,000, which makes it about as old as a Leica lens can be.... ( before 1931.. 90 years old)

It is, when mounted with the appropriate adapter and used on an M9,  almost as sharp in the center as a 90 Elmarit ( the thin, Modern M one).  It is 
quite soft as you head towards the corners.  The Elmarit is not.

I tested it against the later reincarnations, a silver 60's model, and did not find a significant difference.

It is NOT the clinical look of the 90AA nor the 90 Summarit.

I am going to test the 90's I have to find their strengths and weaknesses.  I will add it to my list of lenses.

It will take a while to test, but I will state the results here....

BTW, I have a 90 ELmar-C which sold for about the same price as the LTM model. It is quite good, but if you are looking to get the "special" look, 
skip the C.

LTM models and M models differ 10% in price..... and you do not need an adapter if you are using it on an M camera.  Why an LTM model?  LTM camera?

If you decide on any older Leica lens, check it for haze... a common remnant of outgassing of the lubricant originally used.  Common problem with 
lenses through the 70's.


Frank Filippone
BMWRed735i at Gmail.com
On 7/17/2021 12:37 PM, Jeffery Smith via LUG wrote:
> My Erwin Puts books are back home in Louisiana. Does anyone have experience or insight into this particular lens? I would like the vintage portrait look, and this model doesn't seem particularly coveted, at least not if price is an indicator.
>
> Jeffery
>
>
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