90mm Lens for Portraits

[NathanJD]

Looking for a good portrait lens for my M2, Rokkors and Elmars are similar in price, although you seem to get a better cosmetic condition Rokkor for the buck. is it really that much of a better an idea to spend a little extra cash and get an elmarit? or is it even advisable?

 

[sleepyhead]

It helps to have an f/2.8 lens versus an f/4 lens in order to separate the subject from the background for a portrait.

I recently did some quick tests shots with my Epson R-D1s with a Leica 90/4 macro elmar and a Leica 90/2.8 "thin" tele elmarit, specifically lookig for the différence in background blurry-ness at f/4 compared to f/2.8.

My conclusion was that while you can use an f74 lens for portraits (of course), for my taste, I prefer f/2.8 - the differences were noticible at a subject camera distance of about 1.5 meters. By 3 meters distance from the camera, the differences are not so noticible.

I would get the v.1 Elmarit in chrome - a great lens, and often a real bargain.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'd go for speed, too -- but more of it. A lot depends on your style of portraiture, too.

The 85/2 Jupiter is a great portrait lens at giveaway money IF you aren't looking for super sharpness. (Cue howls of agony and rage from those who say it's as sharp as the latest aspherics...)

For maximum sharpness at minimum cost, 90/3.5 Apo Lanthar. For more money, more speed and more sharpness, the 90/2.5 Summarit.

There are lots more choices but those are the extremes.

Cheers,

R.

 

[NathanJD]

Thank you for the input Roger, I hadn't even considered an FSU lens! I don't really want to go too wild on a 90mm lens because it's not a focal length I can see myself using often although I do feel it would be useful to have around to reach for when the opportunity calls for it. So in as much it wouldn't seem right to spend too much money in the area although I don’t want less than desirable results from whichever lens I have (do we ever?). The way I always look at Leica related stuff is that if ever I was to upgrade I would most likely break even on the kit I sell to do so.

The Jupiter 9 really intrigues me, I like the look of the pics on flickr taken with it, there doesn't seem to be many of them around in Leica mount though and it also looks like I’ll have to buy from the former USSR countries, making it comparable in price to an elmar. Oh the choices!

 

[oldoc]

You don't want the Jupiter, old man...The Elmarit 2.8 is far better. For your expansion, I'd recommend a summitar 35/3.5 than an elmar 90/4.0 initially, then save up for the elmarit. You can get an elmar much less expensively. I sold one here about a month ago for what I paid for it, about 150 US...

 

[NathanJD]

Sorry Michael, would that be a Summaron 35mm? if i was to go for an elmarit it would be a case of saving either way so i may be well advised to do so. but images from that J9 do look pretty peachy! 😉

 

[wjlapier]

Something I found out not too long ago. I can use my Ver 1 90 Summicron on my D700 with the visoflex adapter and another Leica to Nikon adapter. The setup is tight and the images from it are excellent. The D700 focus confirmation works just fine. Awesome Leica glass on a D700 😉 ...and the M3 of course.

 

[jmkelly]

Sold my Elmarit a couple years ago.

90mm Hexanon is not in the poll. Not an inexpensive alternative, but I have found that the Contax-mount Nikkor P.C (on one of Amadeo's adapters) also draws beautifully, though it is a lot heavier than the Hexanon.

 

[f16sunshine]

The Canon 2/85 or 1.9/85 are interesting also on the low cost end. Improved Guass scheme and dreamy glow wide open. The lens becomes quite sharp as you stop it down and the bokeh benefits from a round aperture (15 blades if I remeber correctly). Solid Chrome lens and kinda heavy. I think I paid $60 for mine on ebay and am very happy with it for that price (close to average price).
Not the perfect choice if you want a modern look. A great one to have for the low price and classic glow.

 

[drewbarb]

I really like my Elmarit for portraits, but if I were in the market for an M-mount 90mm today, I'd take a hard look at the Summarit.

Whatever you choose, there are lots of great lenses out there in this FL. What floats your boat? You can get speed, super sharpness, dreamy softness, compact and lightweight glass, or big honkers. The lenses mentioned in this thread so far hit just about every price point, and it's probably tough to go wrong. Just see what's available to you at a decent price, and try shooting with it.

 

[ampguy]

I would vote for the 90 M-Hexanon.

 

[f16sunshine]

I know you asked for a 90 but...........must give a fat endorsement to the new Summarit 75. I'm thrilled with mine 🙂
Lightweight, sharp open and, beautiful drawing. I really lovely optic. To bad the hood is not included. BTW a tip on that is to by a Contax G90 hood from KEH for $15 😉

 

[f16sunshine]

I know you asked for a 90 but...........must give a fat endorsement to the new Summarit 75. I'm thrilled with mine 🙂
Lightweight, sharp open and, beautiful drawing. I really lovely optic. To bad the hood is not included. BTW a tip on that is to by a Contax G90 hood from KEH for $15 😉

Check that. KEH has them for as little as $4 in EX condition

 

[payasam]

I have had an Apo Lanthar for some while but am about to get a Jupiter 9. One reason is the added brightness, the other is what Yaron describes.

 

[chris00nj]

d. Nikkor 85/2

 

[DeeCee3]

From the Low Rent District

From the Low Rent District

I can't remember its speed (though it seems it was f2.8) but Steinheil of Munich made a very creditable 85mm in LTM some years back. Last time I saw one listed for sale, it was in the "dirt cheap" category. If you can find one of those listed at a used gear emporium, you could surely do worse. Get a LTM/M adaptor and you'll have a usable piece of glass for a little chunk of change.

dc3

 

[retnull]

Konica M-Hexanon 90 /2.8

 

[raid]

Cheap but good: Canon 100mm 3.5: very sharp, very small, very light
Costs more but is amazing: Nikkor 105mm 2.5.

Middle Ground: Canon 85mm/1.9.

 

[35mmdelux]

You did say portrait lens and the best portaits are done in open shade. This calls for minimally f/2.8 or better yet f/2.0 depending on film speed. You can find nice 90mm/2.0 pre-asph for reasonable cost. Its a great portrait lens.

 

[marcr1230]

How about the 90 'Cron ?