90mm Elmar for theZI camera?

[wetaylor]

Hello all. I'm a happy new owner of a ZI with the 35/2.8 Biogon. I've learned a lot about rangefinder photography from following this forum the last few weeks, but now I have a question I haven't seen elsewhere (sorry if I missed it on another thread). My lens budget is pretty well exhausted for the moment, but I would like to get a longer lens. The Zeiss has framelines for an 85mm, I know, but would the Leitz 90mm /f4 Elmar work? Their prices seems pretty reasonable. I'm satisfied with that speed for my uses, and I would guess that the fov difference between 85 & 90mm shouldn't be too great. But given an ltm adapter, is the Leitz lens likely to engage the rf properly? Any other issues to consider? Thanks in advance for your suggestions and comments. I'll keep reading and learning!

[digitalintrigue]

Framelines are only really accurate at certain distances anyway, so 85mm frames will work fine with a 90.

If you get an older Elmar 90 screw mount, and use an LTM adapter, unless something is abnormally out of whack it should focus with no problem...

[Amin Sabet]

Another option is the 90mm f/4 Elmar-C, which is a good M-mount lens available for not too much money.

[Tom A]

All you need is LTM adapter that engages the 90 frame on a Leica - it will then engage the 85 frame on your ZI. You can occasionally find 90f4 Elmar-M's (that is the lens with a M-mount) - same optics as the screw-mount version.
It is a very good lens for its vintage - but it is a bit prone to flare so try to get a hood for it too.
The collapsible 90f4 is the same optical formula as the "regular" but as you cant collapse it on the ZI it is a bit of a waste. It is also very heavy for a f4 lens.
Another ailternative, a bit more than the Elmar 90f4 - but much better is the LTM mount Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 90mm f3.5. You can usually find them for below $300 and it is one of the best compact "short" tele's around. You would need the screw to M adapter though again.

[wetaylor]

Thanks all for the information.

[jdvf]

Another alternative is the Konica M-Hexanon 90f2.8. Here in Europe you would pay €300-€350 for it.

I own this lens for one year and like it quite much although I have to admit I do not use it very often.

Greg