Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8

Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8

The Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 is the last and most refined of Leica's f/2.8 medium telephotos for the M system, a lens that pairs a modern optical correction with a notably solid, dense barrel for its size [1][2]. Designed by Walter Mandler, it uses a compact four-element, four-group formula that keeps the lens short while delivering high contrast and sharpness from its maximum aperture [3]. Among Leica's 90mm options it sits between the larger, faster Summicron and the slower, lighter earlier Tele-Elmarit, and for years it was regarded as one of the better-value entry points into Leica 90mm glass on the used market[4].

The lens is built around a nine-bladed diaphragm and focuses to one metre, with a 46mm filter thread and a built-in retractable lens hood that distinguishes it from earlier 90mm designs[5]. It is a manual-focus, rangefinder-coupled M-bayonet lens, and despite its compact 83mm length it is noticeably heavy in the hand, a trait many users single out. The aperture ring carries click stops including half values, and reviewers consistently note that the 90mm frame line is straightforward to focus accurately on an M body, particularly with a magnifier. Because it is a recent design that remained in production into the digital era, it adapts readily to full-frame digital M cameras and to mirrorless bodies through adapters[6].

This is the final version in a long line of 90mm Elmarit and Tele-Elmarit lenses; earlier iterations were produced from the late 1950s onward, and this model superseded the Tele-Elmarit II. It was offered chiefly in black anodised aluminium, with chrome and titanium finishes also recorded; the black version carries order number 11807 and the chrome version 11808. The lens is not six-bit coded from the factory. Searching by the Leica order number is a practical way to identify the correct modern version on the used market.

Optical qualities

Rendering The Elmarit-M 90mm is widely described as sharp at f/2.8 yet smooth in its overall look, a balance reviewers characterise as bordering on modern while retaining a classic feel. It is regarded as an excellent portrait lens on full-frame bodies, combining shallow depth of field with pleasing out-of-focus rendering.

Sharpness Multiple reviewers report that the lens is sharp wide open at f/2.8 and improves on stopping down, performing strongly across the frame on full-frame sensors.

Bokeh and transitions Users describe the background rendering as pleasant and the focus transition as smooth, contributing to its reputation as a portrait lens.

Aberrations Some adapted-camera users have noted a small amount of purple fringing that is easily corrected in post-processing and does not materially affect image quality.

History

Development and Launch The f/2.8 Elmarit-M 90mm was the concluding chapter in a sequence of Leica 90mm designs stretching back to the late 1950s. The optical design is credited to Walter Mandler, and the lens replaced the earlier Tele-Elmarit II in the lineup, using a compact four-element configuration to keep size and weight in check while modernising contrast and correction. It was introduced at the turn of the 1990s and produced for roughly two decades.

Production Evolution The lens was offered in more than one finish, with black anodised aluminium being the most common and chrome-plated brass and titanium versions also documented; the chrome examples are considerably heavier than the black. Order numbers 11807 and 11808 designate the black and chrome versions respectively.

Collector Notes On the used market this lens long held a reputation as a relative bargain among Leica 90mm lenses, though prices rose as full-frame digital M cameras renewed interest in longer focal lengths. Buyers should verify the built-in hood operates smoothly, check the 46mm front element and coatings for haze or scratches, and confirm the lens is the modern retractable-hood version rather than an earlier Tele-Elmarit, which can be aided by checking the Leica order number. One discrepancy worth noting: some collector references list a ten-blade diaphragm for this design, while LeicaLensList records nine blades; reported weights and dimensions also vary slightly between finishes and sources.