A More Compact 90mm

[wjlapier]

I have the Ver I 90mm Summicron. Hefty large lens. Beautifully manufactured--just a chunk of metal and glass. But since I don't use the teles as much as I thought I would I'm thinking about replacing the 90 'cron for a more compact 90mm. Tell me about the affordable ones. How do they compare in build quality, size and sharpness to my DR 'cron? F4 is fine if that will make the lens more compact. I'd maybe consider the 85's by Nikon or Canon if they are sharp lenses, and again affordable and compact.

Thanx, as usual, for the help and suggestions.

 

[JRG]

What's affordable, in this case?

I'd guess the archives here are loaded with suggestions ...

 

[pagpow]

I'll let others with experience speak to the issue of size and performance of the Leica 90s. I just thought I'd mention the Canon 100 3.5 as a light, highly reputed, relatively inexpensive lens -- you might want to consider it.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The 90/3,5 Apo Lanthar is superb but if you leave the hood on, it is bulky. Remove the hood and you're pretty much in 90/4 Elmar territory, with vastly better image quality (and yes, I own/have owned both). The only reason to buy other 90s is for more speed (I also have a Summicron). The big chrome Version 1 Summicron is frankly soft next to most things.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[Rich Sustich]

I have both the Canon 85 1.9 and the 100 3.5. The 85 will save nothing on size and weight, but I agree with pagpow the 100 is worth looking at. It's even smaller than the 90/4 Elmar and very well built.

 

[wjlapier]

Thanx Roger. I read Gandy's site and looked at a few places to get a feel for the prices. The APO Lanthar might be what I'm looking for.

Someone mentioned affordable. Less than $500--close to $300.

Regarding the Ver I soft, I beg to differ. I can use it on a Nikon body and on a D700 Looked plenty sharp wide open to me.

Shot wide open on my now sold D700:

The 90/3,5 Apo Lanthar is superb but if you leave the hood on, it is bulky. Remove the hood and you're pretty much in 90/4 Elmar territory, with vastly better image quality (and yes, I own/have owned both). The only reason to buy other 90s is for more speed (I also have a Summicron). The big chrome Version 1 Summicron is frankly soft next to most things.

Tashi del

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Regarding the Ver I soft, I beg to differ. I can use it on a Nikon body and on a D700 Looked plenty sharp wide open to me.

What have you compared it with? We are talking about the big chrome lens with the 'collapsible drinking cup' hood, right? I've only tried three of 'em, but most people I know have found the same: the smaller, later black version is a LOT crisper.

Of course, we're talking about lenses that are decades old...

Oh, yeah, for the speed, the Summarit is a stop faster than the Apo Lanthar, and at least as good. But a lot more money. Frankly I'd hesitate to buy very old Canon or Nikkor or indeed Leica lenses because you never know what's happened in the intervening decades -- and the newest Canons and Nikkors in RF fit are now over 40 years old, barring a few specials.

Cheers,

R.

 

[BillBingham2]

If you want light, sharp and great everything get a Black Nikkor 85/2, nothing better. Much lighter than your 'Cron and sharper.

B2 (;->

 

[Chuck Albertson]

Get a used Elmarit-M. Quite compact and sharp, even wide open. I had one for years, and traded up to the current Summicron only because I needed the extra speed.

 

[drewbarb]

I like my current version Elmarit-M very much- but if I were considering a new lens, I'd take a hard look at the new Summarit. Not to hijack this thread, but can anyone else chime in about this lens? How do the results from it look? I like what little I've seen, but would love more input.

 

[venchka]

A very nice Nikkor 8.5cm 1:2.0 lens came my way for $200.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I like my current version Elmarit-M very much- but if I were considering a new lens, I'd take a hard look at the new Summarit. Not to hijack this thread, but can anyone else chime in about this lens? How do the results from it look? I like what little I've seen, but would love more input.

Dear Drew,

Take a look at http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps firstlook summarit.html. The words probably tell you more than the pictures, because there's a limit to what pics on a monitor can tell you.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I've owned both the b;lack and the chrome versions of the 85/2 Nikkor. The chrome is heavier but black ones are hard to find. If you find a chrome one grab it! The 85/2 Nikkor, any color, has an extremely hard coating and exhibits very little flare. Sharpness is legendary.

 

[hiromu]

Nobody likes Hexanon 90mm? It's small and not so expensive. And I like the results...

 

[venchka]

I concur

I concur

I've owned both the b;lack and the chrome versions of the 85/2 Nikkor. The chrome is heavier but black ones are hard to find. If you find a chrome one grab it! The 85/2 Nikkor, any color, has an extremely hard coating and exhibits very little flare. Sharpness is legendary.

Yes indeed. No faults that I can see.

 

[Kevin]

A very nice Nikkor 8.5cm 1:2.0 lens came my way for $200.

Are these Nikkors m-mount?

 

[MCTuomey]

sean reid ("reid reviews") has reviewed the 90/2.5 summarit. he compares it to other leica 90s, to the zeiss, and to the 90/3.5 lanthar. well worth reading imho.

generally in line price-wise with the 90/3.5 is the tele-elmarit. the thin version is very compact. nice lens. also in the US$500ish range is the hexanon 90/2.8. a sonnar and well-regarded, but not as compact or light as the tele-elmarit.

 

[BillBingham2]

There were some adapted I've seen on EvilBay from time to time but there were sold in LTM (easy to adapt).

The black version is much lighter, but both are world class.

B2 (;->

 

[kbg32]

I highly recommend the 90 Elmar-C.

 

[Artorius]

Don't overlook the Elmar 90mm f/4 Collapsible. I really like this on my M's(including my M8), and it collapses to a small size. Prices are usually pretty cheap, and glass can be found in great condition. I got mine from Popflash, and Tony said it was recently CLA'd. It was less than $300.00.