Leica M (Typ 240): Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8

Archive

Note: In November 2020, I sold my Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 lens (I still own the Leitz Elmar-C 90mm f/4 lens). I am therefore no longer able to update this page or to answer questions about this lens.

On these pages you can find my first personal experiences with my M-mount lenses at the Leica M (Typ 240). This page is devoted to the Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 lens, the first lens that I bought after purchasing the Leica M (Typ 240) and which might - or might not - replace my Leitz Elmar-C 90mm f/4 lens (see Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 versus Elmar-C 90mm f/4 for a first comparison). In the end, it did not...

The First M-Mount Lens Bought after the Leica M...

I bought the Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M in February 2016 via the l-camera-forum for 490 EUR (product number 11800; serial number 2587227 > built by Leitz Canada in 1973; but "production era" was between 1974 and 1986). It was my first lens that I bought after I had purchased the Leica M (Typ 240).

Figures: Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 lens - Leitz Elmar-C 90mm f/4 lens for comparison (right)

Body with Lens Attached

Photos: Leica M (Typ 240) with Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 lens and with Leitz Elmar-C 90mm f/4 lens (bottom right) for comparison

Some Technical Data

Data	Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8	Leitz Elmar-C 90mm f/4 lens (for Comparison)
Model number	11800	11540
Focal length	90 mm (05 as correction, unclear what this amounts to...)	90 mm
Angle of view (35mm film)	27° diagonal	27° diagonal
Maximum aperture	2.8	4
f-stop range	2.8-16	4-22
Number of iris blades	10	10
Number of lenses/groups	4/4	4/4
Shortest distance	1.0 m	1.0 m
Weight	225.8 g (Ken Rockwell) (210 g on our own scales)	246/270 g (210 g on our own scales)
Length	61.3 mm at infinity, 67.92 mm overall (Ken Rockwell))	60 mm (61 mm)
Maximum diameter	51 mm	51 mm
Filter thread	39 mm filters (E39)	39 mm - 5.5 type; do not use 39 mm filters - may cause damage!
Lens hood	folding rubber hood (11250) with its own pop-in cap (11252), screw mount; the lens was supplied with this hood, but mine came with a metal lens hood 12575, which can also be used (I can use the rubber hood from my Elmar-C)	folding rubber hood (11250) with its own pop-in cap (11252), screw mount; the lens was supplied with this hood
Smallest object field / magnification	1:9 (Ken Rockwell), 372 x 248 mm / 1:10.4 (calculated), 300 mm / 1:8.4 (from photo)	330 x 220 mm (Olypedia); 372 x 248 mm / 1:10.4 (calculated); 300 x 200 mm / 1:8.4 (from photo)

Lens Hoods

The Tele-Elmarit M 90mm f/2.8 can use the screw-in folding rubber hood (11250) with its own pop-in cap (11252). The hood has a special 5.5 type filter thread that cannot take 39 mm filters.

This lens can also use the metal lens hood 12575, which can also be used with the Tele Elmar 135mm/f4.

		Metal lens hood 12575 to the right on all photos

Color Shading and Vignetting

At the end of November 2015, I did a more systematic investigation into color shading and vignetting, which was also meant to provide (at least, preliminary) calibration images to be used with the CornerFix application for removing color shading. I followed the recommendations for calibration images, set exposure compensation to +1, and used the lenses' maximum aperture as well as f/8. Distance was set to infinity to smooth out irregularities in a white cardboard that I photographed. The test below was done in February 2016 after I had purchased the lens. The test was done at a dull day and with a different cardboard.

This investigation confirmed the first impressions in most aspects. Here are the results for the Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 lens (11800):

Lens Detection Option, Selected Lens	f/2.8	f/8
"Off" None
"Off" None
"Manual" Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 11800 (the lens itself)
"Manual" Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 11800 (the lens itself)

Photos: Calibration shots with Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 (11800)

There is practically no color shading. The manual setting for this lens improves vignetting slightly, but vignetting is already very low at f2.8 (and non-existing at f/8). Thus, selecting the lens manually improves the low vignetting even more. Overall, this lens has considerably less vignetting than my Leitz Elmar-C 90mm f/4.

Conclusion: This lens can be used with "Lens Detection" set to "Off", but selecting the lens manually in the "Lens Detection" menu improves the low vignetting even more.

My current status: "Lens Detection" set to "Off" (because I am too lazy for changing "Lens Detection" manually).

Sample Images

Photos taken at Various f-Stops

Photos Taken at f/2.8

These photos are meant to demonstrate the minimum depth of field that can be achieved with this lens (and the image quality at this aperture).

Note: When taking the photos below, I had set "Lens Detection" to a wrong "Manual" option (28 f2.8 ASPH. 11606), which I had tested for for my Voigtländer 25mm f/4 lens. Since the weak cyan color shading at the left and right edges does not affect the overall impression of the photos, I will not repeat them with the correct setting ("Off") - that would be a lot of work...

Close-Up Behavior

The Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 has a similar close-up behavior as the Elmar-C 90mm f/4 and the Tele-Elmarit 135mm f/4. For M-mount lenses, it is among the best ones. I also checked how using the Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M together with this lens can improve the lens' close-up behavior.

Smallest Object Field / Magnification

Smallest object field/width	372 x 248 mm (calculated), 300 mm (from photo)
Magnification	1:9 (Ken Rockwell), 1:10.4 (calculated) 1:8.4 (from photo)

*) See photo below

Distance set to 1 m; w = 300 mm; magnification = 35.8/300 = 1:8.4 (1:8.5)

Photo: Leitz Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 lens (300 mm)

With Quenox Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M

Distance >	Infinity	1 m (closest)
Smallest object width	300 mm*	150 mm*
Magnification	1:8.4 => approx. 1:8.5	0.23 = 1:4.4 => approx: 1:4.2

*) See photos below:

Photos: Test shots with Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 and Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M; distance set to infinity (left) or closest distance (right)

Using the Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M with distance set to infinity results in the same magnification as if distance were set to 1 m without an extension tube; if distance is set to 1 m with an extension tube, magnification is doubled to 1:4.2 (about the size of a postcard is captured). This a slightly better than for the Hektor 85mm f/2.5 (1:4.6).

Closest Distance - Systematic Approach...


Lens with distance set to 1 m (minimum distance)

Minimum distance with Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M, distance set to infinity - the same effect as above (in practice, less...)

Minimum distance with Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M, distance set to 1 m

(More or less) Closest Distance - Various Examples


Minimum distance of about 1 m, f/2.8		Minimum distance of about 1 m, f/2.8

Minimum distance of about 1 m, f/2.8		Minimum distance with Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M (1 m), f/2.8

Minimum distance with Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M (inf)		Minimum distance with Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M (unknown)

Minimum distance with Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M (1 m)

The Leitz Tele-Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 lens is among the lenses that have the best close-up behavior. If you use an extension tube like the Quenox Extension Tube for Leica M, which is a replacement for the now "extinct" Leitz OUFRO (16469Y) (1 cm), this improves only if you set the distance to the shortest possible distance (1m). You get a magnification of up to 1:4.2 with this lens, which is about the size of a postcard.

Overall, for longer lenses the Quenox extension tube is most effective it you set the distance to the minimum possible value. Quality-wise, this is probably not a good idea...

Conclusions

Disclaimer: I am not a lens expert who sees marked differences between various Leica and/or other lenses. I can check for soft corners, find differences in color rendition, and, in rare cases, may discover a "3D look", but that's all. Please regard therefore my conclusions as the verdict of a "layman".

Judging this lens is difficult for me. Obviously, it is prone to flare issues, even when not directed to light sources (I found this confirmed in various threads in Leica forums). The viewfinder image also looks a little bit "hazy" at times with this lens. On the other hand, this 90mm lens shows considerably less vignetting than the Leitz Elmar-C 90mm f/4, particularly wide open.

In November 2020, I sold this lens and am therefore no longer able to update this page or to answer questions about this lens.