Leica Leitz Elmarit 90mm f/2.8

Some lenses encourage you to get closer to the action. Others give you a little room to stand back and really look.

The Leitz Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 belongs firmly in the second group.

Made for Leica's M rangefinder system, this classic short telephoto lens offers a beautifully practical focal length for portraits, everyday details and quieter moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

At 90mm, you get a tighter view of the world than you would with a standard 50mm lens. It's particularly lovely for photographing people, picking out details in a busy street or creating a little separation between your subject and the background.

The f/2.8 maximum aperture gives you room to work with natural light and softer backgrounds, while the traditional manual focus ring keeps you connected to the process of making each photograph.

There's something especially satisfying about using a lens like this.

The engraved distance markings, simple aperture controls and solid metal construction are reminders of a time when photographic equipment was designed to be used, maintained and enjoyed for years.

Finished in silver chrome with a contrasting black grip, this Elmarit has the understated appearance of classic Leitz equipment.

It's also a lovely companion to a wider Leica lens. Where a 28mm or 35mm invites you into the scene, the 90mm lets you step back, simplify the composition and concentrate on what matters.

Originally designed for 35mm film photography, it can also be used with compatible digital Leica M cameras or adapted to selected mirrorless systems.

A classic portrait-length lens with plenty of character, for photographers who enjoy taking their time and working with traditional equipment.

Best for

• Portrait photography

• Street photography

• Travel photography

• Documentary photography

• Architectural details

• Everyday photography

• Leica M film photography

• Traditional rangefinder shooting

• Collectors of classic Leitz lenses

What to expect

The Leitz Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 offers a short telephoto perspective, making it particularly useful when you want to isolate a subject or photograph from a more comfortable distance.

Compared with a standard 50mm lens, the narrower field of view helps simplify busy backgrounds and draw attention to smaller details.

The f/2.8 maximum aperture allows for a shallower depth of field, particularly when photographing subjects at closer distances.

Focusing is entirely manual, using the lens's traditional focusing mechanism.

On compatible Leica M rangefinder cameras, the lens couples to the camera's rangefinder for focusing.

The engraved distance and depth-of-field markings also provide a useful reference when setting up a photograph.

Because 90mm is a longer focal length, accurate focusing and steady handling become more important, particularly when shooting wide open or in lower light.

Compatibility with individual digital cameras and adapters should be checked before purchasing.

Developing

This lens can be used for film photography when mounted on a compatible Leica M film camera.

The developing process depends on the film used rather than the lens.

For example, 35mm colour negative film is generally processed using C-41 chemistry, while black and white and slide films require their respective processes.

When used on a compatible digital camera, no film developing is required.