90 mm for Bessa R3*

[Malo1961]

Hi all,
I needsome help here. I'am going to buy a 90mm for my bessa R3*.
My budget is 450 euro's max. The following lenses are for sale within the budget.
Nr 1: VC Lanther 90/3.5 Apo with adapterring all new 360 euro's
Nr 2: Leica 90mm/4.0 Elmar-c Mint-.1972 with hood for 280 euro's
Nr 3: Leica 90mm/2.0 Summicron black Condition A.1973 version for 450 euro's
Nr 4: Leica 90mm/2.8 Elmarit black Condition A/B. 1965 version for 450 euro's

All lenses are optical clean as new, with only minor marks on the barrel.
Except Nr 1 offcourse.
Could you give me advice on sharpness and bokeh of the lenses used wide open.
I really need your help on this one.

Thanks in advance,
martin.

 

[rxmd]

Focusing a 90/2 wide open could be a little difficult with the Bessa's effective baselength of 37mm. That said, since you don't have a problem with used lenses, I would also include lenses like the Canon 85/2 (plus adapter) in the equation.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Hi Martin,

Well within your budget would also be the M-Hexanon 90/2.8. In mint condition or - if you're lucky - new they cost around 300 €.
On the 2700 dpi scan of this one you can clearly read the numbers on the distance ring of the lens. Bokeh is also very fine with me.
Here's another one.

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[Silva Lining]

I had a similar choice to make as you Martin, I went for option No 4... I also have a Canon 85/2 and an Elmarit 90/4 collapsible - to my eye the elmarit 90/2.8 is the best, closely followed by the the Canon and then the 90/4 collapisble a long way behind. - My only tip would be get a hood as I have found flare to be an issue...

 

[peter_n]

I second Uwe's recommendation of the M-Hexanon 90mm/f2.8. I know it's not on your list, but it is an excellent lens and well within your budget. A 90mm/f2 is tough to focus.

 

[szekiat]

i'd also consider a nikon 85mm f2 for that price

 

[Malo1961]

OK, thanks for all the responses sofar. It may be that the m-hexanon and the Canon are also good options, but not availeble right now, unles i do an extensive search. The 4 lenses happen to be on sale in the 2 stores who have my bussiness for a long period of time. I like to keep it that way. If one of the lenses should be a lemon i know i can return it, no questions asked and get a full refund.( thats worth to me alot )
What suprises me is that no one tells me to go for the new vc Lanther 90 mm.
Is the Elmarit 2.8 a so much better choice, considering his age ( 1965) compared to the vc 90mm? Latest knowhow, computer math on todays lensdesign etc,etc......
If so i wont hesitate to go for the Elmarit. But again...it surprises me because i read quit a lot of good reports here on RFF about this lens.
But again, i will be very happy to go with the Elmarit.
Could someone enlighten me?

thanks again,
Martin

 

[Huck Finn]

You may be interested in this article from a reviewer who is not known for picking other manufacturer's lenses over Leica, but in this case he did pick the CV Lanthar over the older Leicas:

www.imx.nl/photosite/japan/voigt2890.html

I suspect that the recommendations for the Leicas are based on the ability of the R3 to handle a faster lens, but if you don't need the speed, you can't go wrong with the Lanthar.

 

[raid]

I suggest to also consider the amazing Nikkor 105mm/2.5. I just got one recently.

I like the signature of the older design 90/2 Summicron with built-in lens hood. It is a wonderful lens, but it is heavy.

The Canon 85mm/2 or 85mm/1.9 are excellent lenses. I could not tell the images apart when I tested medium tele lenses last year.

The Nikkor 85/2 Sonnar is a classic lens that should be considered. It is not the only good lens though.

The Elmar 90/4 is a wonderful lens overall, but slow. I would get it on top of any faster 90mm lens. It is dirt cheap. It can give you beautiful images.

A good compromise in size and price is the 90/2.8 Elmarit. It is very sharp.

As you see, there are many choices for your price range.


Raid

 

[Malo1961]

OK, fast aperture isn't considdered holy for me. Iso 160-400 and no real low light photography is my game. So suddenly after reading mr E.Puts report( link provided by Huck Finn) thanks for that one, btw . It could well be that the cheapest one of the 4 mentioned is the one to go for.
Here is the link, and tell me......can i go wrong in this case?
http://www.schouten-select.com/products.asp?page=3&gid=98

And please, don't snatch this little beauty before my eyes if you fall in love with it, yourself.

As always, thanks for helping out all of you.
Martin

 

[Huck Finn]

Huck Finn) thanks for that one, btw .

As always, thanks for helping out all of you.
Martin

You're welcome, Martin. I'm glad it was helpful. Best of luck with your new lens! 🙂