LEICA ELMAR 90MM F/4 - REVIEW AND SAMPLE PHOTOS

Special thanks to my friends at Camtec Photo for supplying the lens: www.camtecphot... (Don't forget to type in the word GENERIC in the notes section at checkout for a free gift! )
My thoughts and review of the classic 90mm Leica Elmar M f/4 lens as a lifestyle, work and wedding lens throughout Montreal and Quebec. I compare it to the ZEISS Planar f/1.4 85mm ZF lens, test it on my Sony a7rii, Leica M10 and on my Leica M2. Can this lens hold up despite being one of the most inexpensive Leica lenses available? Watch and see!

[@DualRaum]

I bought a copy years ago just because of the price honestly. When I bought my first digital M (M10) some weeks ago I was completely blown away. This lens deserves much more praise. Never came across a lens this old where one wouldn't see its age in the picture (except for slightly lower contrast). Great video, keep it up!

[@hiramabiff885]

Many years ago I bought a 1954 Leica M3 (my birth year) kit at of all places a gun show, with the 50mm, 90mm and 135mm lenses. Like an idiot I sold the M3 with the 50mm but kept the 90mm Elmar and the 135mm Hektor lenses. After viewing your presentation I will dig out both lenses and start using them on my M-P240. It's so easy to just grab your modern glass and run out shooting but both these vintage lenses are jewels and your presentation really was a wake up call. Thank you.

[@lugentaubner6853]

Great review! Especially liked the comparison to 85mm 1.4 zf, which I love as well.

[@arrangearrange]

Loved that you compared to the Zeiss ZF 85, which I also love.

[@Blacklacquer1973]

I just got myself one of these today. It was in near mint condition even though mine was manufactured in 1951. The lens is very light and quite easy to use, producing sharp images which was a surprise considering its age. It still works, and does so wonderfully.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Right? So glad to hear you’re enjoying it

[@dizzybuizzy9347]

Even though the Age of the Lens, I always say Quality never gets Old!

[@GenericPhotographer]

That’s the beauty of Leica

[@karljones9847]

thanks for the vid - have one on the way and it's eased my mind over opting for this over the tele-m 2.8

[@GenericPhotographer]

You didn’t go wrong! I’m constantly amazed by how well this lens performs

[@natecalebkoh]

I've also been considering the tele 2.8. what's the key reason why you chose the elmar?

[@karljones9847]

@@natecalebkoh the tele seems to be plagued with flare issues :/ - i'd love that extra stop but the elmar came and is a neat package - might still consider a tele at some point though

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

Wonderful these older brass lenses, aren't they? I have an f/2.8 version made in 1965 and like it a lot. Got it at Meister-Camera in Berlin. The people at Camtec Photo I found very friendly and helpful when visiting Montreal btw.

[@GenericPhotographer]

They’re addictive, just snagged three more. Nice lens, glad you got to visit Camtec. See you around!

[@ArnaudSiemons]

Great lens. Love to use it with my SL.

[@kmcsmart]

I have a lovely version of this lens from 1936 and it is on a beautiful Bakelite container. The front element also screws into the Leica bellows that came with my lens. All very cool.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Luck you! That’s so cool!

[@anthonymiller8979]

For me all the Elmar lenses just have that classic look I desire for B & W. I use the 50mm f3.5 collapsable,the 90mm f4 Collapsable and found a 135mm f4 Elmar as well which is sharper than the Hektor version.

[@claudiobrt652]

I was looking for a 90mm lens for my Leica M2. Was considering the Jupiter 85mm and other third party options until I came across one of these (from 1958) on eBay. I cant believe the price was only around 30 gbp more than the Jupiter. Thanks for the quick review, cant wait to test it :D. Oh btw, sweet Hexar

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

Nice review. Vintage lenses like these offer two advantages: their low cost and an immediate vintage look. I recently picked up a Leitz Hektor-LTM 135 mm f/4.5 lens at Leica Wetzlar, and it certainly is a different tool than the modern Leica telephotos lenses (e.g., APO-Telyt-M 135 mm f/3.4 and APO- Summicron-M 90 mm f/2). It’s definitely a keeper and I’m on the lookout for more Leitz/ Leica vintage lenses. That said, the Macro-Elmar 90 mm f/4 (plus a Leica Macro Adapter M) is an impressive lens.

[@Delmonteil]

I bought on of it recently for 90€. I had haze from aperture blades that I intend to clean and great point dismantling is very easy as long as you don't touch to the aperture mechanism ! Mine has 3 lenses but I've read that the fourth later versions are optically better. Never tried it so far, the adapter is coming

[@AL-Mohanad-4]

Thank you very much

[@rossmcdermott6768]

Often use this lens with my M2. Mine is a 1955 version. Excellent lens.

[@ThMehringer]

Got that lens for my Leica iii with LTM No CLI ever, not the cleanest but still smooth as a baby’s but. Love it!

[@johnrflinn]

It's a gem and the bokeh is great due to its many aperture blades.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Yeah it’s incredible how many blades are packed into the lens.

[@missgreenbottles]

Thanks for this great review. I was going to go for the screw mount version, but realised it wasn’t working to infinity. I tried the same in the m mount and it’s amazing. Seems to be at its sharpest for infinity at f8. The focusing generally smooth although is a tiny bit sticky due to it age, but on the whole pretty amazing photos so far!

[@missgreenbottles]

Interestingly though it doesn’t sticky squeak when I’m holding it in use. Such a lovely lens!

[@jsshayes1]

Great video.

[@NarcissismSurvivor]

I had just purchased this one for $80 and it’s awesome.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Wow! Great deal, enjoy!

[@michaelpedersen5387]

Thanks I just bought one on you recommendation 😂

[@astraeusone]

I have one and it is great. Use it all the time. In terms of bargain the next step would be to take a closer look into R lineup.

[@GenericPhotographer]

R lenses are coming to light more and more these days, definitely on my radar, so much gear, so little time! Enjoy your 90 elmar, it never ceases to impress!

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

The lens head is removable because it can be attached to the Visoflex housing via a special shorter barrel.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Yes, also there’s a bellows visoflex, the second version. Super cool stuff, got to play with the one without the below: at camtec before.

[@codiecrieg2480]

Lens is different story... You know how to do it. Thank You for rewiew

[@GenericPhotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnrflinn]

There are a couple of hood options for this lens.

[@GenericPhotographer]

I’ve used the 50 Summicron collapsible hood. Seems to work well

[@ftng89]

Re the sample photos film? or digital?

[@josiahbice6510]

what adapter are you using to help it focus? I’m looking for one but am unable to find the correct one.

[@GenericPhotographer]

None. This is a M mount version. Try eBay!

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

lens elements and focus mounts are NOT interchangeable. Serial is engraved to inside of mount so can be matched up.

[@ron5935]

You can not interchange head with another focus mount. They are married with exact focal length and the focus mechanism. Last three digits of serial are engraved inside the focus mount.

[@michaelthomson5125]

Would love to see this against the Voigtlander f/2.8 90mm APO.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Totally, I'm sure the Voigt would beat it in outright performance and sharpness. Character, size and of course price would be their biggest differences and determining factors.

[@michaelthomson5125]

@@GenericPhotographer .. You never mentioned price in your video so I just assumed it was thousands i.e. cheap for a Leica lens. But I just saw one on eBay for $270 CAD / $220 USD. WTF. This could be a great walkaround, no-bag combo with the 28mm Ultron.

[@GenericPhotographer]

@@michaelthomson5125 the title photo for the video has the price ;) but yes indeed, it’s a true bargain, in Leica world and others haha

[@Fleet42]

What version is this exactly? Great review!

[@GenericPhotographer]

@@Fleet42 4 element 90mm Elmar-M f4 non collapsible.

[@markturner7910]

Just picked a 1960 version of this from my m10-d

[@GenericPhotographer]

Awesome! How are you finding it?

[@markturner7910]

@@GenericPhotographer I'll let you know , ordered online , arriving next week , you're costing me a fortune 😂 ,I picked up the voigtlander 21mm after watching your review as well

[@markturner7910]

I've had a couple of weekends using it ,and it exceeds my expectations 👍

[@GenericPhotographer]

@@markturner7910 exactly why I made the video!

[@markturner7910]

@@GenericPhotographer and your videos are a big help , thank you 🙏

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I just picked one up at Leica Store Washington, D.C. for $75.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Steal!

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

@@GenericPhotographer It didn’t require getting a 2nd mortgage!

[@jacovanlith5082]

Would I watch this Vlog if you were not a professional photographer?