Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I am not certain that we are answering Dennis Painter's original question here. However, let me start by noting that Dimitrov wins the "Keep Banging Your Head Against the Pavement Award" for trying between four and six Tele-Elmarits. Having noted one LUG member's masochism, let me rise to the "Skinny" Tele-Elmarit's defense. How good a lens it is depends on two factors at least. One, the quality of the individual unit you acquire and, two, what you expect from the lens. My "Skinny" Tele-Elmarit (SN3452222, German made) is wonderful. I use the exceptionally deep 12575 reversible, metal shade and have never noted more than modest flare except in extreme lighting situations. "Skinny" Tele-Elmarits vary wildly in quality from unit to unit and I have never seen in extensive LUG discussions of this lens any pattern which would indicate good from bad serial numbers. They can be prone to flair, fungus and, if you believe some photographers, flatulence. As I have noted often, my particular lens is perfectly healthy in all of these regards and it is not for sale. I own it only because it was the currently available lens when I wanted to but a new 90 f/2.8. Okay, but Photographer Painter asked about prices and it seems to me that Elmar Cs run circa three to four hundred dollars and clean "Skinny" Tele-Elmarits run six to seven hundred. It has been a long time since I owned an Elmar-C, but I remember it being about the same size and shape as my "Skinny,' close enough that I can't imagine that size would determine which lens you bought. The Elmar C, at least my Elmar C was a fine lens. Not nearly so sharp as contemporary nineties, but plenty sharp enough and contrasty. I found f/4.0, however, to be a major draw-back, not just because it limits available light work, but mostly because it can't yield the shallower depth of field. Buzz Hausner - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Slobodan Dimitrov Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2003 5:09 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Leica 90mm f/4.0 Elmar C prices I've had 4, or 6, can't rightly remember, of the T-E version. Everyone of them flared horrifically, with its accompanying loss of contrast and sharpness. I've had early and late versions, all seemed to give the same results. I've just about had all the other 90 versions, except for the early black 90 and the 3 element version. The one surprise, and I shoot mainly in Southern CA with its extreme contrast problems, has been the 90 F4, chrome version, and the 90-C. Both lenses have a unique contrast, and are unusually sharp throughout the whole range of apertures, and focusing distances. But then that's been my experience. other's have raved about the T-E. with a completely different experience. Slobodan Dimitrov - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html