LENS-DB.COM

Model history (5)

Specification

Sources of data

• Leica lenses booklet (PUB. 11-34d) (January 1963).
• Interchangeable lenses are giving your LEICA new perspective booklet (PUB. 11-34) (April 1960).
• Leica lenses booklet (PUB. 11-34b) (October 1961).
• Leitz General Catalogue (October 1961).

Manufacturer description #1

From the LEICA photography magazine (1959, No. 2):

The 90mm Elmarit f/2.8 lens dovetails neatly between the Elmar f/4 and the Summicron f/2 in speed, weight, and cost. As might be surmised, the Elmarit has a modified Elmar formula - a five-element lens, featuring new rare-earth glasses. All air-to-glass surfaces are anti-reflection coated.

double duty

The Elmarit comes in a rangefinder-coupled long mount which focuses the lens down to 3 1/2 feet. The removable lens unit can also be used on the Visoflex II in Universal Focusing Mount #11,093. On the Visoflex II, the Elmarit focuses down to 14 1/2 inches, and covers a minimum field size of about 3 x 4 1/2 inches. At closest focusing distance, the ratio of reproduction is 1:3.2.

Click diaphragm stops and a linear diaphragm scale are provided; minimum aperture is f/22. A broad, milled focusing ring provides parallel focusing action. Both depth of field scales and dual distance scales (meters and feet) are engraved on the lens mount. Front diameter of the Elmarit is 42mm and Leitz 36.5mm screw-in filters are used with it. Angle of view is 27°, and the lens in long mount weighs about 11 1/2 oz.

The new Elmarit, in handsome satin-chrome finished long mount, either bayonet or screw type, is $150.00. Universal Focusing Mount, #11,093, to adapt the lens unit to the Visoflex II is $36.00.

Manufacturer description #2

An ultra-modern 5-element triplet-type lens uniting the virtues of a medium long-focus lens with a moderately fast aperture, the 90mm ELMARIT is an exceptionally sharp and contrasty lens over the whole field and at all apertures. With its slender, light-weight focusing mount it is an exceptionally fast-handling lens, and an excellent choice for sports and action assignment. Corrected for very close distances, the lens-head adapts readily to the VISOFLEX II (with or without the FOCUSING BELLOWS II), adding greatly to its creative versatility. It is particularly well corrected for close-up work.

From the editor

Lens unit can be unscrewed and used on the VISOFLEX II or III with the universal focusing mount 16 464.

The lens accepts both 39mm screw-type and 42mm slip-on filters.

Other short telephoto prime lenses in the Leica SM system

Lenses with similar focal length