Leica 90mm summicron m vs asph lens

Sweetlou42 · Jun 12, 2019

looking to purchase 90 mm Leica lens, any thoughts as to which one , it gets kind of overwhelming as to the choices for me

Theo Sulphate · Jun 12, 2019

I slum around with the 90/2.8 Elmarit M - outstanding optics and bokeh.

But the 90/2 ASPH is said to be the best.

guangong · Jun 12, 2019

I use Elmarit 2.8 and Summicron f2. Use Elmarit a lot more than Summicron because it is smaller and lighter. Never owned but think that there is no doubt an ASPH lens test results are better, but how much better? Would you ever be able to see a difference in your own photography? If you could see a difference in 00.1% or less of your pictures, is it worth the additional cost.
Also, how much weight do you want to log around.?
The little Elmarit is a very handy lens.

craigclu · Jun 12, 2019

If you end up like most folks, you'll find a 90 to be your least-used optic.... Nice to have in the bag but I just seldom have applications for it. I'm happily going along with the Elmarit-M 2.8 90 and appreciate its small size as bag filler. On a hand-held rig, I sometimes wonder if optics are as much determined by glass or one's ability to hand hold the equipment, especially a 90mm.

NB23 · Jun 12, 2019

guangong said:
I use Elmarit 2.8 and Summicron f2. Use Elmarit a lot more than Summicron because it is smaller and lighter. Never owned but think that there is no doubt an ASPH lens test results are better, but how much better? Would you ever be able to see a difference in your own photography? If you could see a difference in 00.1% or less of your pictures, is it worth the additional cost.
Also, how much weight do you want to log around.?
The little Elmarit is a very handy lens.

The 90 summicron asph shows its superiority right away, across the whole image: crisper, a more snug image all over, better contrast. It’s all there, all over.

Eric Rose · Jun 12, 2019

I have both the Elmarit and the 90mm Summicron. Both are outstanding lenses. If you shoot a lot of colour you "might" see something in what the APO gives you that may interest you. I find the newer apo type lenses to contrasty and clinical for my tastes.

summicron1 · Jun 12, 2019

If it helps you any, keep in mind that most of the time you don't use lenses wide-open. I don't anyway, so the extra bux for an f2 as opposed to a 2.8 or even 4 are really superfluous.

Plus, Leitz didn't make any bad glass -- don't get caught up in hype for the newer lenses. An older lens will still be a better shooter than you are a photographer.

I have a 90 f4 Elmar that came with my CL and don't use it much, but it is very nice for when I do.

Sweetlou42 · Jun 12, 2019

Sounds like I won’t use 90 that often, looks like I’m going for the Elmarit 90, and upgrade to a summicron m 50 , from a 50 summicron
All for about the same price as a new APO 90, thanks for all the advice

Hatchetman · Jun 12, 2019

I have the 90mm ASPH, but I never shoot at f2 since I can't get anything moving in focus due to the narrow depth of field. if something isn't moving then I don't need f2 anyway. I have the Elmarit and can't tell the difference though I haven't done formal tests.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Jul 1, 2019

I have an Elmarit made around 1973 (the skinny black one with vulcanite around the base). It's been spectacular for my purposes. Despite what Ken Rockwell says about flare, pointed into the sun mine doesn't have a problem at all. Great lens - unless you're a pixel-peeper with a digital camera I don't think you'll see a difference between this lens and later versions.

Sweetlou42 · Jul 1, 2019

Thank you

Sweetlou42 · Jul 1, 2019

M. Axel Wikstrom said:
I have an Elmarit made around 1973 (the skinny black one with vulcanite around the base). It's been spectacular for my purposes. Despite what Ken Rockwell says about flare, pointed into the sun mine doesn't have a problem at all. Great lens - unless you're a pixel-peeper with a digital camera I don't think you'll see a difference between this lens and later versions.

Thank you

Arklatexian · Jul 2, 2019

Sweetlou42 said:
Sounds like I won’t use 90 that often, looks like I’m going for the Elmarit 90, and upgrade to a summicron m 50 , from a 50 summicron
All for about the same price as a new APO 90, thanks for all the advice

Don't let anyone talk you out of using a Leica 90mm, any Leica 90 mm, they are great for head and shoulder portraits or just head portraits. Only problem is that they might be a little too sharp but as has been said before, hand-holding the camera and lens will correct that............Regards!

Sweetlou42 · Jul 2, 2019

Arklatexian said:
Don't let anyone talk you out of using a Leica 90mm, any Leica 90 mm, they are great for head and shoulder portraits or just head portraits. Only problem is that they might be a little too sharp but as has been said before, hand-holding the camera and lens will correct that............Regards!

Just received mine, will try it on the 4th. I’ve been trying out other rangefinders lately, all seem nice. But I think I should just stick with the Leica and focus on one camera till I get better

BMbikerider · Jul 2, 2019

For the majority of users the essentially small differences (except in the price) will not be seen my Mr/Mrs average. If a tripod is not used for EVERY shot and the exposure is 100% spot on, these will detract from the quality available from the later lenses. I would venture that these 'improvements' would only be really seen if the images were taken under laboratory conditions and not in every day use .

Almost any Leica lens manufactured since the start of the bayonet fitting (and some before) will quite easily give a very good 20x16 print in either colour of b&w providing the camera is on a tripod and the exposure is correct.

So, look for a clean lens with clear optics and no wear on the focussing ring and save save a bit of cash and get the 90 Elmarit or for a bit more, the F2 Sumicron and have some cash left over to put towards another lens.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 2, 2019

Arklatexian said:
Don't let anyone talk you out of using a Leica 90mm, any Leica 90 mm...

That's true. Just for a different experience, I used a 90mm exclusively on one of my M6's for quite a few years. When walking around the neighborhood, I concentrated on isolating details in trees, yards, walkways, that would get lost if using 50mm or 35mm. I also used it at car shows.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Jul 2, 2019

I use the 90 quite often. Great for isolating subjects from the chaff.

Sweetlou42 · Jul 2, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
That's true. Just for a different experience, I used a 90mm exclusively on one of my M6's for quite a few years. When walking around the neighborhood, I concentrated on isolating details in trees, yards, walkways, that would get lost if using 50mm or 35mm. I also used it at car shows.

Good to know, thx

Ko.Fe. · Jul 2, 2019

Which camera? 90mm frame is minuscule on regular M. It only makes sense on M3. Or you have to deal with falling off magnifiers. I lost one fairly quick, on very first long hike.
I had Elmar 90 f4 twice. LTM has much more pleasing rendering, than just sharp M. Plus, LTM is still small lens, even comparing it to collapsible Elmar 90 f4. If I ever get another 90, I'll try Elmarit 2.8 or just get back 90 LTM.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Jul 3, 2019

Ko.Fe. said:
Which camera? 90mm frame is minuscule on regular M. It only makes sense on M3. Or you have to deal with falling off magnifiers. I lost one fairly quick, on very first long hike.
I had Elmar 90 f4 twice. LTM has much more pleasing rendering, than just sharp M. Plus, LTM is still small lens, even comparing it to collapsible Elmar 90 f4. If I ever get another 90, I'll try Elmarit 2.8 or just get back 90 LTM.

A 90 frame line is smaller in my M2 than my M3, but not bad at all. Use it on the M2 all the time without issue. It's not as small as a 135 on an M3. I like having some room around the frame lines; can see what's going on around it.

Kodachromeguy · Jul 3, 2019

M. Axel Wikstrom said:
A 90 frame line is smaller in my M2 than my M3, but not bad at all. Use it on the M2 all the time without issue. It's not as small as a 135 on an M3. I like having some room around the frame lines; can see what's going on around it.

Thank you, Axel. You responded much more diplomatically to this "expert" than I would have.

Sweetlou42 · Jul 3, 2019

Kodachromeguy said:
Thank you, Axel. You responded much more diplomatically to this "expert" than I would have.

Well I have a m6 ttl and I just received my summicrom m 90mm so I’m excited, not sure if it’s a good match but I don’t know any better anyway!

Ko.Fe. · Jul 3, 2019

Kodachromeguy said:
Thank you, Axel. You responded much more diplomatically to this "expert" than I would have.

To ignore list you go. Yahoo "Diplomat".

https://web2.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/rangefinder.html

Ko.Fe. · Jul 3, 2019

http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/msystem/m6ttl/sucher/index_e.html

M. Axel Wikstrom said:
A 90 frame line is smaller in my M2 than my M3, but not bad at all. Use it on the M2 all the time without issue. It's not as small as a 135 on an M3. I like having some room around the frame lines; can see what's going on around it.

It is still not as small as on OP M.

http://blog.ricecracker.net/2011/04/23/leica-m-body-viewfinder-framelines/

With these it is not about "what I see around", but "what I see inside?"

Sweetlou42 said:
Well I have a m6 ttl and I just received my summicrom m 90mm so I’m excited, not sure if it’s a good match but I don’t know any better anyway!

I used, using M3, M4-2, M4-P and M-E. Talking about not yahoos, but users I used my M4-2 to the point now, then I was recognized by it by total stranger. In another country.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Jul 3, 2019

Ko.Fe. said:
http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/msystem/m6ttl/sucher/index_e.html

It is still not as small as on OP M.

http://blog.ricecracker.net/2011/04/23/leica-m-body-viewfinder-framelines/

With these it is not about "what I see around", but "what I see inside?"

I used, using M3, M4-2, M4-P and M-E. Talking about not yahoos, but users I used my M4-2 to the point now, then I was recognized by it by total stranger. In another country.

I don't have any issues at all using my M2 with a 90mm. Don't understand what all the fuss is about.

Leica 90mm summicron m vs asph lens

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency