90 for portraits?

dpetrzelka

dpetrzelka

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What 90mm lens do you suggest for portraits?

If anyone has comparison shots demonstrating the characteristics of specific 90s, please post.

Speed is more important to me than sharpness.

thanks
Dan P.
 
cmogi10-

the 75mm lux would be great for speed- but is too close to a 50mm, and well outside of my price range.

Do you have a preference of the 4 versions of pre aspheric 90 summicrons?

thanks
-d
 
Speed? A Canon 85/2 & a Jupiter 9 gave me acceptable results. I sold them both.
Look? A prewar uncoated Leitz Elmar 90/4 consistantly gives me the best shots. I will never sell it.

Speed is not everything anymore than sharpness or any other single element is.

William
 
I own the summilux 75 and summicron 90 pre-asph 55mm filter size. Altough the summilux is all it's said to be and exotic, I usually reach out for the summicron for such shots. It's just that good. Really is.
 
Thambar, followed by 85/2 Jupiter, followed by 1st generation Summicron. Unless you want sharpness, in which case late Summicron. (I've used all four)

Cheers,

Roger
 
 
The question has been asked a thousand times. Review the archives and google for other sites and ye shall find.

dpetrzelka said:
What 90mm lens do you suggest for portraits?

If anyone has comparison shots demonstrating the characteristics of specific 90s, please post.

Speed is more important to me than sharpness.

thanks
Dan P.
Click to expand...
 
I'm really liking my recently acquired tele-elmarit, and I have a feeling that it might offer (for me) the best compromise between cost, speed, sharpness, bulk, and so on. However, if you want speed above all else then it's not for you.

Roger - great to see you back again.

Cheers
Jamie
 
I think there are lots of lenses in the 90mm range that can be used for good portraits. And many of them are not too expensive. I personally have used most of the Elmarits (including current one) and Tele-Elmarit versions, as well as the 90mm APO ASPH summicron, and the 90mm M-Rokkor, and the Canon 85mm 1.8.

The M-Rokkor at f/4 was nice and sharp but more difficult to get nice OOF backgrounds. Having said that I rarely would shoot a tight portrait at f/1.8 or f/2 because then focusing is a bit hit and miss (for my eyes anyway, using a Leica M4-p).

So, for me, f/2.8 is just right: enough OOF background and focusing is easier.

HERE is an example with the 90mm "fat" tele-elmarit:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/328129564_938739cfff_b.jpg

Of the various lenses that I've owned, I ended up keeping the Canon 85/1.8 (big) and the 90mm "thin" Tele-Elmarit (small). Selling the 90mm APO and other 90mm current Elamrit paid for other nice things...

If I had none and could only afford ONE right now on a limited budget, it would be the original Elmarit (made from 1959 to 1974) - great lens for the money.
 
waileong said:
The question has been asked a thousand times. Review the archives and google for other sites and ye shall find.
Click to expand...

That's true, but it's also true of almost everything discussed on every forum. It's nice to get some fresh opinions and experience.


And while I'm here, some pics!

90/2.8 Thin Tele-Elmarit

U1665I1160139394.SEQ.0.jpg



90/2 Summicron (the huge early one with the built-in hood and the tripod socket)

DJ_and_Dean_600.jpg
 
Last edited:
90 thin elmarit, 90 2.0 pre asph and asph, last 90 2.8 R and current 90 2.8 M which is the same formula all go a little soft under 6 feet. I am not saying mushy soft, just there is some resolution loss acknowledged by Leica if you read the old literature. I also have used and owned all these and it is a fact. Condition is not changed by stopping down.

90 2.8 Elmarit with removeable head for viso is a good lens in close range. 90 4.0 elmar is good close and far 5.6 and smaller. This lens is perhaps the perfect balance between sharp and not overly sharp for portrait work. It is the cheapest of the lot.

original 90 2.0 Summicron with removeable head and tripod scoket just is not very good until 4.0. As sharp up close as far away.

Had a 85 Nikor 2.0 that was fine at smaller stops.

Someone else can advise of CV 90 and Canon offerings.

My new 90 4.0 macro elmar is sharp as a razor any stop and any distance.
 
I agree with Roland.

If want to have something really sharp at any distance the Macro-Elmar - M 4,0/90 mm is it. I have this lens only a few days and I´m overwhelmed by the first results.

Another advantage: it goes down to 0,77 meter ( 2 and a half feet) instead 1 meter as the other 90s. This is great for portraits closer up.

Thomas
 
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