I bought a used Leica R lens 90 2.0 3 cam; it has a yellow cast when looking thru the viewfinder, seller says this is normal , and a product of the type of glass used by leica at the time of production. serial # 3030218. Anyone know if this is normal ? Shooting chromes tomorrow. First batch of negs shot were bad.

-- Bill Dewberry (Dewbie@earthlink.net), June 20, 2001

Answers

I have a Canadian M-Summicron 90 from the late 80's that is definitely yellowish - to look through, and on slide film (about equivalent to 1/ 2 the density of an 81a?). Best lens for shooting Velvia I've ever owned - completely UV-proof. Also have a 21 from the same era with roughly the same coloring . I asked here about the color and no-one had specific ideas. But I've seen remarks SOMEWHERE that the Noctilux also has a slight yellow cast, and that's it's because Leitz/Leica specified a special UV-absorbing glass in the design just because it was the only glass with the right refractive index. I'll be interested to see what other have to say...

Personally, I like these lenses..I rented them to compare with Zeiss/ Nikon and liked the color so much I bought them (and the Leica to go with them). Now I sometimes am a little disappointed by the 'neutral' color of almost all the other Leica lenses - but not much ;^)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), June 20, 2001.

I have 90/2-R #3061xxx, it is crystal-clear as have been all that I've seen. I don't have any idea what's up with yours but it's definitely not "normal".

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 20, 2001.

My 90mm Summicron-R had a yellowish lens coatings but was neutral rendition otherwise. Sounds strange to me. I would ask Leica.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), June 20, 2001.

My 90mm lens with a similar serial number as yours has crystal clear glass.

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), June 21, 2001.

I have a R90mm f2. When open looking thru the lens by itself or looking thru when attached to body, it is clear.

-- Alex Ong (ongpj@yahoo.com), June 27, 2001.