Leica
Leica 90mm f2.2 Thambar-M
Pickup currently unavailable at Camera West Rancho Mirage
Blinded by Beauty
Following the re-issue of the Summaron-M 28 mm f/5.6, Leica is now further expanding its line of classic lenses with the Thambar-M 90 mm f/2.2. Once again, the exterior design has been carefully modified, while the optical calculations remain unchanged.
When the Thambar was originally released in 1935, Leica lenses were already renowned for their exceptionally sharp rendition. So it was all the more surprising when Leitz introduced a soft-focus lens which – despite being named after the Greek term ‘thambo’, meaning ‘blurred’ – gave rise to images whose romantic aesthetics are not only unmatched by any other lens to this day, but also impossible to replicate in digital post-processing.
This makes the new Thambar-M an exciting counterpoint to Leica’s other 90mm focal length lenses, and allows the modern-day photographer to experience the unique characteristics of this classic lens; or as the Greek would say, ‘me thambose me teen omorfia tis’ – 'to be blinded by beauty.'
Breaking the Mold
Manufactured by Leitz from 1935, the Thambar 9cm f/2.2 achieved a relatively low production run of just 2,984 units, which partly explains its great popularity among collectors.
When developing the Thambar, the engineers surrounding Max Berek were able to draw on their vast expertise regarding the causes and correction of optical flaws, in order to design an intrinsically sharp lens which nevertheless permitted a carefully determined level of spherical aberrations – thus giving rise to the desired soft-focus effect. When the Thambar was first launched more than eighty years ago, it was intended for photography enthusiasts who were highly skilled at their craft.
Today, the ability to adjust images in the camera’s Live View monitor makes it even easier to achieve the desired results with this truly exceptional lens.
Luminous Glow
The Thambar’s distinctive, dreamily romantic look and unmistakeable bokeh are created by deliberately under-corrected spherical aberrations, along with a 20-bladed aperture for the circular rendition of out-of-focus highlights. Because the aberration increases towards the periphery of the optical system, both the extension of the depth of field and the degree of diffusion can be precisely controlled via the step-less aperture ring.
Widening the aperture increases the soft-focus, whereas stopping down reduces the effect. The opaque area at the center of the included soft-focus spot filter prevents the axial rays, which generate sharp focus, from reaching the sensor – resulting in an even more intense soft-focus appearance.
State-of-the-art Lens Design.
The new Thambar has almost entirely adopted the design of the original lens – featuring the same proportions, black paint finish and red and white aperture scales as its 1930s predecessor. The red scale applies when the center spot filter is in place, which diminishes the effective aperture of the lens – for example, from 2.2 to 2.3 when wide open. When working without the center spot filter, the white aperture scale is used. In order to retain its vintage appeal, the Thambar’s exterior has only been subtly adapted to reflect the pared-down character of contemporary M lenses. This takes the form of details such as the knurling, which is now in line with the standard Leica style generally used today, the lettering on the lens, which is inlaid in the now customary LG (Leitz Gravur) font, as well as the introduction of clear-cut edges and chamfers, which serve to emphasize the precision of the lens design.
The optical design of the new Thambar is almost identical to that of the original – the only difference being that the lens elements are now single-coated to protect the glass from environmental influences and corrosion. This also makes the new Thambar an intriguing addition for collectors, who are now able to use the lens in practice, without having to expose their vintage original to wear-and-tear.
Craftsmanship: Down to the Last Detail
The Leica Thambar-M 90 mm f/2.2 is meticulously crafted to the highest quality standards, with a primary focus on high-grade materials and long-term durability.
Scope of Delivery
As with the original Thambar of 1935, the lens hood, filter surround and both lens caps are made of metal. The hood can be attached to the lens back-to-front for compact transport.
Felt linings inside the lens hood and front cap serve to protect the metal surfaces from scratches.
A hard case in vintage brown leather keeps the Thambar perfectly secure, whereby the center spot filter can be safely stored in the lid. The leather case, designed to closely resemble the original sold more than eighty years ago, ensures excellent protection while on the move.
Features at a Glance
Product information
All our shipments are fully insured. For shipments valued over $150, a direct signature will be required upon delivery.
We utilize various shipping carriers, with FedEx Express being our primary choice for 2-Day and Overnight shipping within the US, as well as International deliveries.
We accept returns within 14 days of delivery, subject to a restocking fee of up to 15%. This fee is not for profit, but to cover the costs associated with selling an item. Each return is evaluated individually, and we strive to minimize this fee. In many instances, we waive it entirely if the refund credit can be applied towards another item in the store.
Please note, all returned items must be in the condition in which they were shipped. If the items are returned in a different condition, we will not be able to accept them.
We highly recommend visiting us in person to experience our fine photographic tools before deciding which tool best fits your needs. Please note that our inventory is distributed among our three stores, and what you see online may be at any of these locations. Below are a few points that we’d like to make in order to meet your needs for in store pick up.
The location of each item is indicated online. For convenience, you can choose to pick up your item at any of our stores. Once purchased, the item should be ready for pick up within 4 hours at the designated store, although this might vary depending on the store's busyness and time of day. We request that you wait for a notification from us confirming that your order is ready for pick up, to ensure the best service.
If your chosen item is not available at your preferred store, we can transfer it there after purchase. If you want to pick up an item at a different store, select that store for pick up during checkout, or choose a regular shipping method and let us know your preferred pick up store via support@camerawest.com or by responding to your order confirmation email.
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We offer a concierge trade-in program for the gear you'd like to upgrade, cross-grade, or simply pass on to a new owner. This enables you to acquire the tools that fit your specific needs. The easiest way to trade is to bring your gear into one of our stores and meet with us in person. However, we also accommodate those who can't visit our stores. Our online process is both personal and simple.
To begin, fill out the form on our Trade // Sell page with the details of the fine photographic equipment or watches you'd like to trade in. One of our team members will then contact you to confirm any details we might need for an accurate estimate. We will provide an estimate that doesn’t only look at the value of your trade in but the whole picture of where you want to go. If the estimate is satisfactory to you, we can provide a shipping label for you to ship your gear to one of our stores for a final inspection and store credit. Finally, we apply that credit towards your new gear!
