Leica M3 and Elmar 4/90 Lens

    Because I rarely shoot color film, I like to use vintage lenses on my 35mm cameras. One of my favorites is the Leitz Elmar 4/90 #1287930 (1955) shown here mounted on an M3, the same M3 I described in my September 9 blog entry, "Make Your Old Camera Great Again."

      Even though I know that dedicated Leicaphiles will roll their eyes and threaten to run me out of town on a rail, I have to admit that I attached a generic grip rather than a Leica grip to the camera (about $20). I also attached an inexpensive soft release to the shutter button.

    But that's not all. I even mounted an off-size Kenko lens shade to the lens using a few dots of Shoo Goo as an adhesive. The best thing about the Shoo Goo is that although it holds the shade firmly in place, the bond isn't permanent. I can easily remove the shade if I want to do so.

     Because this lens had some fog on its elements, and because the focusing mechanism was a bit tight when I got it, I sent it off to Youxin Ye for servicing. After that master craftsman worked his magic and returned the unit to me, it was like new...maybe even better than new. The lens was absolutely clear, and the helical was noticeably smoother.

     A million years ago when I was a young man, I had a Leitz 90mm Summicron. I think it was made in Canada. Compared to the rather large size of that unit, the 90mm Elmar is a pencil. And because it's so small and  weighs so little, it's a pleasure to use. What's more, when it comes to producing good images, it's no slouch, as shown in the accompanying  photos.

 

      Of course, nothing in life is perfect, not even a Leitz lens. In the case of the 90mm Elmar, my one complaint is that the aperture adjusting ring isn't click-stopped. Because of that minor glitch, you do have to take extra care when you adjust the diaphragm. .

      But that's certainly not a game changer, especially when you consider that this lens can produce excellent images. And...if you shop carefully, you can still find a Leitz 90mm Elmar that won't break your bank. I highly recommend it.