This is a lovely lens rarely seen in black, one which has immediately impressed. A much loved and VERY collectible lens, which lends itself to many genres, either on your Leica, or a compatible digital body, such as my own Olympus PEN F (Micro Four Thirds).
Informed by the serial number; 2523489 this is a 1972 model Elmarit. In common with the best vintage Leica equipment, it hardly shows its age at all and everything operates as smoothly as silk. At 45 years old, this chunky little Elmarit feels as if hewn from solid rock.
The stealthy black finish shows just a few very small marks from use, even the scalloped focus grip is only lightly marked. All the barrel markings are present and enjoy even and stark contrast, while the vulcanite around the base is happily intact. The head section easily detaches for use on a bellows, such as the superb Leica Bellows II which I have on offer in my other auctions.
The focus ring turns easily, the aperture ring runs smoothly into each detent and can be set between stops, useful if you like that extra control afforded by the tiny fractional stops afforded by the incredible thirteen blinds which give this lens a nearly perfectly round aperture, enabling that wonderful, organic bokeh which Leica lenses are so renowned for. The aperture is as smooth as silk, and there is no oil or rust on the blinds, as you can see from the photos, there is not even any rubbing of the finish of the aperture blinds!
Optics are excellent, there are no cleaning marks or abrasions present all as far as I can see and that lovely golden coating is perfectly intact. There are just a few tiny motes of dust visible when holding the lens up to daylight.
As with all vintage Leica glass, this lens defies its vintage, it remains fully functional and is great fun to use. Most importantly, it produces great images. 90mm is nominally a Portrait lens, but you can just as easily use it as a compact Telephoto as I have with the lens mounted on my PEN F, something I can heartily recommend!
This gorgeous lens will be supplied as shown, with caps, ready for you to get to work!
So there you have it, a very rare and highly appointed, antique Leica lens, which as you can see is in exceptional condition, despite it's vintage status.
Built in a way which is frankly beyond modern understanding, looked after reasonably well this lens will easily last another 45 years and being Leica, when you, your children or grandchildren come to sell it on, you will like as not achieve much more for it than you paid here. Don't you just love photography?
Hopefully, the description and photos will answer any questions you may have, but please feel free to drop me an email if anything needs clarifying further.
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