RE: [Leica] tele-elmarit 90

[Buzz Hausner <Buzz@marianmanor.org>]

I may be the only subscriber to this list who has good things to say about
the Skinny Tele-Elmarit, but I love it.  I am especially fond of the lens'
reversible, clip-on, metal shade.  My favorite lenses and standard
walking-around-kit are an M6, the last pre-aspheric 35 Summicron, and the
Skinny Tele-Elmarit.  A smaller, lighter, yet more versatile set of gear
would be difficult to assemble.  One does concede a bit of sharpness and
contrast to the current Nineties, but for me it is a fair trade for a more
discrete and portable outfit (not that any Leica gear is relatively
GIGANTIC, just that some is relatively small), and the Skinny Tele-Elmarit
is plenty sharp for my tastes and style of on-the-run photography.  I have
had mine and used it constantly for...what?...thirteen years with no signs
of fungus or other degenerative condition.  I don't know what they cost, but
if you take a deep breath and buy just one issue of "Shutterbug" that
shouldn't be hard to determine.  Before you cast your lot with my
assessment, though, see Erwin's site for a general evaluation of the various
nineties.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Howard Davis [mailto:HDavis@slcearch.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2000 12:46 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] tele-elmarit 90


I recently had my eye on a thin version of the tele-elmarit 90. To me its 
tiny size seems a perfect realization for the original concept of the leica 
as miniature photography. Why was this lens discontinued in favor of the 
much larger 90s? I have read that this particular lens is often attacked by 
fungus that does irreversible damage to the rear element. Is this the reason

this lens is no longer in production? Should I not buy this lens? Or if I 
should, what is a reasonable price to pay for a tele-elmarit 90? 
Howard