90mm alternatives to the Summicron - either M or LTM

[Bingley]

You might look at the Canon 100/3.5, which is much smaller than the Canon 100/2 pictured above. Actually, it's tiny for a tele lens, but it's very good if you get a good sample.

My copy is quite sharp...

Cholla-Blooms by bingley0522, on Flickr

 

[peterm1]

As a Summicron alternative, I second the Canon 100mm f2. I have had mine for a couple months and so far I am really impressed with it's performance. It is not a small lens, but for what it is the size weight and handling are great.

This is probably the lens I would like most right now.

 

[shawn]

I have the Konica Hexanon 90mm and find it wonderful. Small and inexpensive too.

It is very sharp but you have to nail the focus to see that.

Full Size image here.

I tweaked the focus cam slightly in mine.

Shawn

 

[santino]

90mm f4 M-Rokkor. Light, small and tack sharp.

 

[WJJ3]

I have the Konica Hexanon 90mm and find it wonderful. Small and inexpensive too.

It is very sharp but you have to nail the focus to see that.

Full Size image here.

I tweaked the focus cam slightly in mine.

Shawn

Making the Hexonon 90mm look very nice there. Agree about nailing focus, that is key at this FL.

I see a few people here recommending the TELE-ELMARIT. I was interested in that lens, either version; older fat version, or newer 4 element thin version, but couldn't find any examples of it being sharp at f2.8. Can anyone show some sharp photos taken with the TELE-ELMARIT wide open?

 

[WJJ3]

This is probably the lens I would like most right now.

Peter, this is a fun lens. I am still getting the hang of how to use it because it takes more care with focus and higher shutter speeds than i'm used to with my rangefinders...

 

[Rob-F]

Four that had not occurred to me! 85 is fine with framelines, not so sure about the others, but a slightly tighter crop is not the end of the world. Thanks!

A tighter crop when using the 85 in place of the 90? The finder will be tighter than the image on film or sensor, if that's what you mean; but conversely you will get a bit more in the picture.

I like using the 85mm AF-Nikkor on my Nikons. I find it to be a good focal length, just like the 90 is a good focal length. So I could see using an 85 on the Leica. It's a tiny bit wider, and not infrequently, a tiny bit more useful! Perhaps Zeiss and Nikon are on the right track, offering an 85!

 

[teddy]

There are so many opinions here, and your question is quite broad. I would say, I would choose the Leitz Tele-Elmarit (Fat) version, the black Tele-Elmarit from the 80's, and that's it. The reason is, these are more affordable. If you go to Nikon or Canon designs, you will probably venture into Sonnar designs, which are a different rendering. More contrast, depth of field curvature is different - pleasing. The first Elmarit has medium contrast, but lower contrast wide open, so no. The latest Tele Elmarit is too expensive. High contrast, but expensive.

I like the Type 2 Summicron. It is great wide open for portraits. It's not a Sonnar type. Contrast is fine anything past 2.8. It's fine. Just heavy - and I get that.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

A tighter crop when using the 85 in place of the 90? The finder will be tighter than the image on film or sensor, if that's what you mean; but conversely you will get a bit more in the picture.

Brain fade on my part, but thank you for getting what I meant to say!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I have to say I didn't think it was as broad as it's turned out to be!

I love Sonnar designs, but maybe a much younger lens with good coatings will suit my purposes better.

I need the speed with film - especially as I regularly pull 400 to 250. So however good the f4 lenses are, it's one stop too slow.

Much to think about!

 

[peterm1]

These two were shot with the (fat) Tele Elmarit (as far as my memory goes - and not very good records). One with a Leica M8 and one with a micro four thirds. In terms of bokeh, sharpness etc I find it perfectly adequate if not perfect as there is no such thing. BTW the second shot was taken on a Leica M8 presumably without an IR cut filter judging by the serious purples in the lady's coat.

 

[Richard G]

I use the Macro Elmar a lot as collapsible and very sharp. But I love the Elmarit M and used it recently. The pictures from it have a 'bite'.

 

[valdas]

This was shot with Elmarit-M on expired film and at slow speed. Flick does its tricks to resolution, but the original is very sharp in focusing point:

 

[shawn]

I have to say I didn't think it was as broad as it's turned out to be!

I love Sonnar designs, but maybe a much younger lens with good coatings will suit my purposes better.

I need the speed with film - especially as I regularly pull 400 to 250. So however good the f4 lenses are, it's one stop too slow.

Much to think about!

The Konica is a Sonnar design.

Shawn

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Anybody got any black and white film images from the Elmarit M or Konica or Summarit? The Konica is cheaper meaningfully but the other two have their appeal too.

 

[valdas]

Anybody got any black and white film images from the Elmarit M or Konica or Summarit? The Konica is cheaper meaningfully but the other two have their appeal too.

I guess it's a bit too small (for any kind of judgment) if attached like this... Elmarit-M on tri-x

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Thanks Valdas - a bit small!

No Canons, Nikkors or Apo Lanthars to be found in the UK.

Prices - all upwards from here, rapidly in the case of the macro M!

Hexanon from £390 - 300g
Tele Elmarits £350 340g
Elmarit Ms £700 - 490g
Summarits £650 - 340g
Macro Elmar £1300 - 223g

Now to value my Summicron 90mm (600g) and make up my mind!

Or I could get an adapter for my 80mm Summilux R (700g) and spend my life with the camera pointing at the ground...

 

[Tim Gray]

I have a few Konica images here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tgray1/tags/konicahexanon90mmf28

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Thanks Tim - looks good to me!

 

[Tim Gray]

Just for reference, here’s some Macro Elmar film shots:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tgray1/tags/leicamacroelmar90mmf40