Best 90 mm lens for Leica-M

Hi and welcome, I'm new too (new here, old in the Leitz and Leica game... :D).

What are you looking for? MTF-bound conclusions, that elusive thing called 'character', ergonomics, what?

90 is an interesting FL, for me a fringe one but vital.
 
90mm macro Elmar.
4328599489_2b45b72891.jpg


Zero CA
 
From my many experiments, the Teles I kept are: 75/1.4 vII, 90/2 Summicron v3, Nikkor 85/2 (black), M-Hexanon 90/2.8, Komura 80/1.8, Jupiter 9. All "best" in their own way, and for different uses, in my subjective opinion.
 
The 90 macro elmar is very sharp, no distortion, no CA, close focusing, compact, light, cheap for a modern Leica, but not very high contrast and doesn't open very wide (but reaches its peak quality already at max aperture).
 
This will sound strange, but the 'best' 90mm lens may well be the AA 75. Highest reproduction ratio of any unaided Leitz/Leica lens, doubles up as a fifty and a ninety.
 
90

90

For me it is about what I am shooting digital I want the sharpest lens. Low light is another thing. If you are shooting tri x then get the last 90 f2 non aspherical. If never low light get the last 90 2.8. If digital and an m9 low light get the aspherical 90 f2
 
fefe said:
The 90 macro elmar is very sharp, no distortion, no CA, close focusing, compact, light, cheap for a modern Leica, but not very high contrast and doesn't open very wide (but reaches its peak quality already at max aperture).
Click to expand...

Somehow, my experience is that, the contrast is quite high, and this characteristic does correspond its 4 element design.

4328599733_35246d26dd.jpg
 
Boniface XIII said:
This will sound strange, but the 'best' 90mm lens may well be the AA 75. Highest reproduction ratio of any unaided Leitz/Leica lens, doubles up as a fifty and a ninety.
Click to expand...

In fact, the 90mm macro Elmar has a reproduction ratio of 1:6.7, slightly higher than the 1:7 of the apo 75mm.
Also, according to Erwin Puts reveal, the IQ of Apo 75mm has a noticeable decrease at close focusing, so it probably isn't as good of a close focusing lens as the macro Elmar.
 
I own the first and last versions of the 90/2.8 Elmarit. I am currently evaluating them. Trying to decide if I keep one or both.
 
The small size of the Macro Elmar is definately a plus if you don't use the 90mm focal length much but still want to carry one around for occasional use.

Very "in the Spirit of Leica" that lens is.

In my experience, it's neither too high or too low contrast.
 
Hexanon 90/2.8

252934352_EWTvR-L.jpg


Summicron 90/2 v3:

394260179_jir73-L.jpg


Nikkor 85/2:

121611465_8DYjr-L-1.jpg


Summilux 75/1.4 (v2, German):

621564361_zoyTf-L.jpg


The point of these photos ? None really, except that they are all good lenses when looking at online photos with low resolution.

Roland.
 
Last edited:
i saw this photo of yours on flickr today and left a supportive comment. small world: seeing it on your photostream and then here in one day. great capture.



Summicron 90/2 v3:

394260179_jir73-L.jpg
 
After experience with two 85mm f/2 lenses, I'd say that anything wider than f/2.8 is risky in that focal length range, given possible R/F errors and possible user error in focussing. I should specify that I refer to use at nearest distance.
 
Boniface XIII said:
This will sound strange, but the 'best' 90mm lens may well be the AA 75. Highest reproduction ratio of any unaided Leitz/Leica lens, doubles up as a fifty and a ninety.
Click to expand...

Other than the Macro 90. Though the 75 gets close.

I'd probably go with the 90 APO for my vote as the best. Other than the size and the price.
 
The CV Apo Lanthar f3.5/90mm for pure performance. Nikkor 2/85 or CZ 2/85 Sonnars for Portraiture and character. That Cosina lens is really incredible for what it costs. The hood is a must I have discovered as it's kinda flarey. It's only drawback is it's effing ugly on any camera I have mounted it and can be a tad slow although it is sharp wide open.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom