Opinions on 90mm lenses please

[Lord Fluff]

Hi all

Everything I see coming from the M-Hexanon 90mm looks great - but are there other, better options to consider? Is there a huge price bump going for a Leica lens instead (BTW I will only consider f2.8 and faster). Quality is a big factor - but small size is also much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[projectbluebird]

If you want small, 2.8 is the only way to go. Any of the Leica 90/2.0's are rather large, the early versions especially so.

 

[Cron]

if you want small, the Hex is the best way to go; the Elmarit is larger than the Hex and the Summicrons are much larger and heavier;
in picture quality I think, there is no difference between the really good Hex and the Elmarit;
ApoAsph Summicron has advantages over the preasph 2/90 when using wide open, from 5,6 there is hardly a difference to see.
I sold my Elmarit and am happy with my 90 Hex!

 

[Stu W]

I was very happy with my Chrome Fat Tele-Elmarit. It was almost the same size as my 50 Summicron. I only sold it because I didn't use it that much and I had a couple of other 90's. The chrome demands a premium. I believe the black is a bit cheaper. Stu

 

[gdi]

A late version of the non-Asph 90 Summicron is probably the best Leica deal going right now. It is not extremely small, but it is compact compared to earlier ones and of course a great performer.

 

[mfogiel]

If you are used to a SLR, think twice before you buy a 90mm lens for a rangefinder, especially if it is not a 1.0 vf. I have the current Elmarit, and I dislike it because of poor framing even on a 1.0 vf and because of a sub-Zeiss quality, especially against the light. Confronted with my Makro Planar 100 ZF this lens is crap.

 

[ferider]

If you frame with either M3 or .72 + magnifier, f2 lenses are no problem at all. If you use .72 magnification, I recommend an f2.8 lens.

All the following options are great:

- M-Hexanon 90/2.8 - Ernostar look, small lens, built in shade
- "Thin" Tele Elmarit or "Fat" Tele Elmarit from the 70s. For the 1st, get one with serial > 3 Mio. The Fat one is shorter, a bit better built and has slightly less contrast.
- Summicron 90/2 v3 (last pre-asph). Not big at all, very usable with a grip. Older versions of this lens (v1 and v2) are _very_ heavy. v3 is OK though. You should be able to get this one for around US 700 or less - they have come down in price.
- Nikkor 85/2, preferrably the black one if you can find it, since the chrome one is very heavy. The 105/2.5 is a good option, too, cheaper, but much bigger. Both are Sonnar variants with great drawing.
- There is also the new 90/2.5 - no experience with it, but seems like the ideal compromise between size and speed.

You might also consider 75mm. ALL 75mm lenses out there are great if you can live with the M 75mm framelines (which are lousy).

For pictures of some of these lenses, check out my Kits link in the signature. Short teles on RFs rock !

Best,

Roland.

 

[gdi]

If you frame with either M3 or .72 + magnifier, f2 lenses are no problem at all. If you use .72 magnification, I recommend an f2.8 lens.

All the following options are great:

- M-Hexanon 90/2.8 - Ernostar look, small lens, built in shade
- "Thin" Tele Elmarit or "Fat" Tele Elmarit from the 70s. For the 1st, get one with serial > 3 Mio. The Fat one is shorter, a bit better built and has slightly less contrast.
- Summicron 90/2 v3 (last pre-asph). Not big at all, very usable with a grip. Older versions of this lens (v1 and v2) are _very_ heavy. v3 is OK though. You should be able to get this one for around US 700 or less - they have come down in price.
- Nikkor 85/2, preferrably the black one if you can find it, since the chrome one is very heavy. The 105/2.5 is a good option, too, cheaper, but much bigger. Both are Sonnar variants with great drawing.
- There is also the new 90/2.5 - no experience with it, but seems like the ideal compromise between size and speed.

You might also consider 75mm. ALL 75mm lenses out there are great.

Best,

Roland.

I have no real problem framing or focusing on the M3 or even M8 with the Summicron V3.

IMO, the excellent prices on these really leaves no reason to settle for other options such as the Cosina/Zeiss. 😀