Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/01/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Martin Howard wrote: > Dan States jotted down the following: > > > I have owned the 4 element LTM and found it to be amazingly sharp, but with > > low contrast. If you can print around the contrast issue you can get very > > modern looking images. This lens is nearly as good at f4.0 as it is at > > F8.0. I have even used it as an enlarger lens for 21/4 with fair results. > > > > I have NOT used the 3 element, but I know it is quite a collectors item, and > > therefore not worth the cost for actual USERS. > > I have a 90mm f/4 Elmar from (I think) 1937 that I use occasionally: would > that be a three or four element version? > > M. > The 3 element 90mm Elmar was introduced in 1964 and lasted until 1968. It superceeded all the 4 element (tessar copies) except the collapsible Elmar. This stayed a 4 element version and also finished 1968. The 3 element Version, (I have the head only) Was also called the Parallel Elmar. Because the barrel was virtually straight, and it was non rotating when focussing. -The only other 90mm Elmar which was also non focusing was the collapsible version-. The diaphragm of the 3 element has evenly spaced click stops, and the filter size is the standard 39mm. It is nice looking lens and of high quality manufacture. I had a play with a complete lens. Barrel included. It is better made than the previous Elmars. The barrel does not have the tendency to stick at both extreme ends like the 90mm Elmar and 135mm Hector and 135mm Elmar barrels. To me a quite annoying feature. I use the 3 element with the bellows or the variable focusing unit on the Visoflex. I found the quality of the 3 element Elmar to be higher than the 4 element. especially the contrast was higher and it seems to have less flare. It is just about as good as the f2.8 Elmarit of the same vintage. It also cost about the same when it was released. However, I personally believe, as a user lens, it it overpriced. A used Elmarit it better value for the money. Regards, Horst Schmidt