Leica 9o mm f2 asph or not asph

8

8877molly

Newbie
Local time
6:12 PM
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
5
View My Gallery
I am interested in a leica 90mm f2---I am looking at a non asph lens---can anyone give me feedback on whether this lens ( cheaper ) is a better lens than the newer Leica 90mm f2 asph (more expensive)?
 
cmogi10 said:
better in what way?
The current APO ASPH is incredibly sharp, it can go either way, some people don't like that sharpness for portrait work some do.
Click to expand...
Very true. I like my pre-asph 90mm Summicron (version III) because it has that great balance between "soft" and "sharp". Very nice dissolve. When something's in focus, it's sharp, so the contrast between in-focus and out-of-focus is marked.

The *only* thing I don't like about it is that it flares (actually, veiling flare) when a strong source of light hits it, wide open. But this affects contrast mainly, so you can adjust your shot with processing.

It's also cheaper than the APO version. A lot of version II (i.e. "made in Canada") 90mm Summicrons are below $400. The version III is lighter and more compact, but twice as much.
 
I've owned both. The last non- APO ASPH is of similar sharpness and from f/2.8 and smaller apertures it's a virtual coin toss. Wide open the APO ASPH has a small edge in color saturatrion and sharpness but practically speaking it's not worth a price difference if greater than $500 or $600. Exact focusing accuracy is critical to get the most out of either lens.
 
Molly have you considered the 90 2.8 Elmarit? There are planty of these around second hand fairly reasonably. Its certainly sharper than the pre ASPH and a lot lighter. Certainly flare with this lens is not a problem. The 2.8 f stop is not a problem for me with an M8 as I get by at ISO 320. If I had the funds for a 90 ASPH I think i would probably buy the 75 F2 Cron ASPH. A bit easier on the M8.

Attached shot with 90n Elmarit /M8

best wishes


RichardYucca-0023.jpg
 
awilder said:
I've owned both. The last non- APO ASPH is of similar sharpness and from f/2.8 and smaller apertures it's a virtual coin toss. Wide open the APO ASPH has a small edge in color saturatrion and sharpness but practically speaking it's not worth a price difference if greater than $500 or $600. Exact focusing accuracy is critical to get the most out of either lens.
Click to expand...


Ditto, word for word.
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
Very true. I like my pre-asph 90mm Summicron (version III) because it has that great balance between "soft" and "sharp". Very nice dissolve. When something's in focus, it's sharp, so the contrast between in-focus and out-of-focus is marked.

The *only* thing I don't like about it is that it flares (actually, veiling flare) when a strong source of light hits it, wide open. But this affects contrast mainly, so you can adjust your shot with processing.

It's also cheaper than the APO version. A lot of version II (i.e. "made in Canada") 90mm Summicrons are below $400. The version III is lighter and more compact, but twice as much.
Click to expand...

You're confusing me with the versions I, II and III and so on. What's Version 2 and what's version 3? Can post pics of each lens?
 
As others have intimated, the pre-asph 90 F2 handles out of focus areas very well. I've only had mine a short while, but I'm very pleased with the results so far.
 

Attachments

  • parting-2.jpg
    parting-2.jpg
    213 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
NB23 said:
You're confusing me with the versions I, II and III and so on. What's Version 2 and what's version 3? Can post pics of each lens?
Click to expand...

I can't find any for Version 1, but here are the pics for Version 2 and 3:

V II (the collapsible hood is extended in this pic, for some reason):
2ed-summicron-90.JPG


V III:

db_1_b.JPG
 
I own the 90mm Cron e55. Great lens.
Extremely easy to focus, great contrast and it's sharp.
I keep on reading how those 90 crons are somewhat soft but I don't agree. I thought it was a soft lens but after many tripod tests I realized the problem is in street shooting where critical focus is hard to pin.
 
What coinfused me is when you said "Version II, the one made in Canada". The Version III is also made in Canada. And it's a great lens.
 
NB23 said:
I thought it was a soft lens but after many tripod tests I realized the problem is in street shooting where critical focus is hard to pin.
Click to expand...


This is an important point. The effective focal length is 120mm and in addition to movement, focusing with the small screen area of theM8 finder also becomes a factor. If I was starting from scratch and getting a lens just for M8 (and not also for a film M) I think I would go for the 75 f2 'cron.

Best wishes

Richard
 
Richard Marks said:
This is an important point. The effective focal length is 120mm and in addition to movement, focusing with the small screen area of theM8 finder also becomes a factor. If I was starting from scratch and getting a lens just for M8 (and not also for a film M) I think I would go for the 75 f2 'cron.
Click to expand...
I think it varies for different people. I don't have an issue getting critical focus with the 90mm Summicron with my M8 (*all* hand-held, and shot at f/2):





 
Gab, great first pic!

I agree the Cron is easy to focus. But that's when you have time to do so. THe nature of the 90mm lens (being a telephoto) is that usually, if there's no time to focus, even with a f stop of f5.6 or f8, one is likely to be out of the focus zone or lose on speed and still get blurred results.

When I'm street shooting, the 90mm requires more attention, as opposed to shooting a 50mm lens.
 
Sample shots when I first tested the 90 AA. Used without the UV/IR filter as I'm still waiting for the filters to arrive (2 months now). I personally find it too huge and I need the 1.25x eyepiece to focus better. It has only been used once as I'm spoilt by my other smaller and lighter lenses. On the M8, I prefer the 75AA.

1565885195_a774e08d58_o.jpg


1566770860_6665718da0_o.jpg
 
Hi Gabriel
Yes its OK to focus a 90 on an M8 although you appear to have a framing problem with the second example 🙂 . All I am saying is that if i were starting out and only buying ofr a digital M then I would go for the 75 F2 cron rather than a 90 for similar money.

Best wishes

Richard
 
Richard Marks said:
Hi Gabriel
Yes its OK to focus a 90 on an M8 although you appear to have a framing problem with the second example 🙂
Click to expand...
Believe it or not, that is exactly how I wanted it framed. People always expect pictures to have the face in them. They also expect everything to be "sharp". 😉
 
NB23 said:
Gab, great first pic!

I agree the Cron is easy to focus. But that's when you have time to do so. THe nature of the 90mm lens (being a telephoto) is that usually, if there's no time to focus, even with a f stop of f5.6 or f8, one is likely to be out of the focus zone or lose on speed and still get blurred results.

When I'm street shooting, the 90mm requires more attention, as opposed to shooting a 50mm lens.
Click to expand...
Thanks. And yes, the 90mm Summicron requires some time, which is why I "pre-focus" (or as some would incorrectly think of it as "zone-focus"; I don't do zone-focus with the 90mm focal length: I set it close to where I think the subject is, then "precise" focusing takes less time when you are taking the shot).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom