A portrait lens for my M240 ... suggestions?

[Tom A]

I would also consider the Voigtlander 75mm f1.8 - it has a nice smooth look at f1.8/f2 and sharpens up quite a bit when stopped down.
The Nikkor 195mm f2.5 is another good choice - it still can hold its own as portrait lens. Also look at the Nikkor 85mm f2.0 - again even though it is an old design - it works well.

 

[MCTuomey]

I hit focus more reliably with 75s, so they are my preference for portraits. Many good ones noted already: CV 75/2.5, Summarit 75, and the expensive but very good Summicron 75 AA. +1 on the 240's 75 framelines, quite comfortable in use, quick/short throw focus rings.

 

[filmtwit]

I'm with TOm here, though the 75mm f1.8 is kind of long and big lens as a whole.

Another one you might try is the Nikkor 85mm f2 (sonnar). It's fairly compact.

I would also consider the Voigtlander 75mm f1.8 - it has a nice smooth look at f1.8/f2 and sharpens up quite a bit when stopped down.
The Nikkor 195mm f2.5 is another good choice - it still can hold its own as portrait lens. Also look at the Nikkor 85mm f2.0 - again even though it is an old design - it works well.

 

[shadowfox]

Keith, another Zuiko you may want to consider.

Zuiko 135mm 1:2.8

This is mounted on my E-P2 which makes it a 270mm (ish) focal length. But look at the creamy tones. Portraits would look good with this lens.

 

[shadowfox]

Sonnar 85/2 ZM? See below on M9:

Gorgeous photo!

 

[judsonzhao]

Zeiss does have a 85/2 Sonnar and it's made in German. It runs more expensive than a 90 summicron APO

 

[Roger Hicks]

Zeiss does have a 85/2 Sonnar and it's made in German. It runs more expensive than a 90 summicron APO

Had, I think, rather than has. As far as I know the last batch was made 4 years ago.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Mackinaw]

A friend has lent me her M-240 for awhile and I used it to photograph a model friend of mine this past weekend. I used a 50mm Summicron, a 50/1.2 Canon LTM, and 75 Summilux and a 90/2.8 Elmar-M. While I just started to process the DNG files, my favorite pics, so far, are those taken with the old Canon. Here’s one taken at F1.4.

Jim B.

 

[Rob-F]

One of the Photo annuals I liked, circa 1961 or so, had a portrait taken with a 90mm Summicron, of a young girl named "Birgitta." I never forgot that photo. Anyone else remember it?

 

[Keith]

Thanks for the advice and pics everyone. I'm thinking early 90mm Summicron .... I don't mind the size and the one I had a few years back was a gem. 🙂

 

[teddy]

Thanks for the advice and pics everyone. I'm thinking early 90mm Summicron .... I don't mind the size and the one I had a few years back was a gem. 🙂

The Summicron 90/2 was the sharpest thing around in the 50's and 60's. Not ridiculously sharp like the current lenses, but still sharp. I think the 90 Summicron is just right for you.

Leica M3, 1959 Summicron 90 f2, wide open, (Midland Canada), Edu Ultra 100

 

[Keith]

The Summicron 90/2 was the sharpest thing around in the 50's and 60's. Not ridiculously sharp like the current lenses, but still sharp. I think the 90 Summicron is just right for you.

Leica M3, 1959 Summicron 90 f2, wide open, (Midland Canada), Edu Ultra 100

Lovely ...... 🙂

 

[jcrutcher]

If you want a softer modern lens not super sharp like the 90 F2.0 super Cron I would recommend the Voigtlander Heliar 75mm f1.8.

My great Nephew Gavin at his preschool graduation. M-240 M-P

Gavin Crutcher Graduation.jpg by Jim Crutcher, on Flickr

 

[Keith]

What can anyone tell me about the 90mm f2.5 Summarit .... Mainline here in Oz has a used one in stock at the moment. 🙂

 

[kermaier]

The CV 75/2.5 Heliar is so good and so cheap that you can't afford not to pick one up, even if you also go for a 90mm of some sort.

 

[uhoh7]

What can anyone tell me about the 90mm f2.5 Summarit .... Mainline here in Oz has a used one in stock at the moment. 🙂

That's my main 90, wicked sharp, even infinity WO, great with color, but a very edgy modern look.

A fantastic, and unique lens.

For portraits I usually go the 75 Lux, which will go to .7, as will the new 90/2.4

here the 90/2.5 on A7.mod:


DSC09074 by Charlie Webster, on Flickr

below I'm front focused a bit and you can see the OOF rendering a bit:

DSC08792 by Charlie Webster, on Flickr

Very good form factor on the lens also, and you probably won't have the calibration risks that come with older lenses.

As we all know there are a ton of great old portrait lenses, I have 3 Canon 85s, 1.9 though 1.5 and the 105/2.5 nikkor. All great if you have a good copy but all big and heavy, though the Canon 85/1.8 is pretty good size.

The summarit is a much nicer form factor than the elmarit-M and just as sharp with maybe better color.

As mentioned above the 90 Hex is really nice, but calibration must be carefully checked, and the CV 75/1.8 is the poor man's Lux.

The Lux is in a class by itself, but it's big. I had to pay over 3k for mine, but it is a perfect copy; most are not.

here is the 90/2.5 on M9:

Storm Clouds by unoh7, on Flickr

I don't use it for portraits much, but maybe I should

 

[MCTuomey]

The CV 75/2.5 Heliar is so good and so cheap that you can't afford not to pick one up, even if you also go for a 90mm of some sort.

+1 and it handles very well too

 

[uhoh7]

+1 and it handles very well too

yes these are a steal at 300USD, so small and light. Very high performance too.

lips by unoh7, 75/2.5 M9

I also have the 90/3.5 as a small travel 90, and it is very good to, APO:

DSC08579 by unoh7, A7

one last a portrait with 90/2.5 on stock A7:
DSC08456 by unoh7, on Flickr

 

[filmtwit]

M240 + 10.5cm Nikkor f2.5
(with some back lighting)

 

[Monz]

How about a 90mm Elmarit -M?
Small, light, sharp.


Aftab by Monz, on Flickr



I am 10 by Monz, on Flickr