Lanthar APO 90mm "M"

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bwcolor

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This lens has been around for a long time as a screw mount lens and CV has been revamping their lineup by going to 'M' mount lenses. Any news, expectation, or rumor regarding an upgrade of the APO 90mm?
 
It looks like a nice lens, but I already have a recent Leica APO Summicron Asph. So, I was hoping for a shorter/lighter lens and that lens looks a bit on the large side with the lens hood. The built in lens hood is a plus on the Leica and would be a nice thing to copy on the next CV. I can see where they might not be all that anxious to update this lens in that telephoto is not the first lens in most rangefinder owner's bag.
 
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bwcolor said:
It looks like a nice lens, but I already have a recent Leica APO Summicron Asph. So, I was hoping for a shorter/lighter lens and that lens looks a bit on the large side with the lens hood. The built in lens hood is a plus on the Leica and would be a nice thing to copy on the next CV. I can see where they might not be all that anxious to update this lens in that telephoto is not the first lens in most rangefinder owner's bag.
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I used to think it was large, too, after only seeing pictures of it, but a couple weeks ago I was in a store that had one. I attached it to my ZI, and I can assure you that it is shockingly small and light. I used to have the 90mm Elmarit-M, and that thing is a cannon compared to the APO Lanthar.
 
maclaine said:
I used to think it was large, too, after only seeing pictures of it, but a couple weeks ago I was in a store that had one. I attached it to my ZI, and I can assure you that it is shockingly small and light. I used to have the 90mm Elmarit-M, and that thing is a cannon compared to the APO Lanthar.
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It's also an excellent performer if you don't need fast speed. I sold my Elmarit 90 after I got mine.
 
I have the 90f3.5 and also the 85f3.5 in Nikon SC mount. In spite of being "cheap" it is a Apochromatic lens and it is a damned good one at that. For travel I tend to take one along as it is small and compact - and I am not a huge 85/90 mm user in the first place (75 mm seems to be my "long" lens by choice).
I have the Summicron 90f2 (a big Bertha from the 60's) and a Elmarit M 90f2.8 if I need slightly more speed, but the size and weight of the CV 90f3.5 makes it more attractive - and performance is top-notch. I had the 90f2 A-A and the later version 90f2.8 Elmarit-M - but really never felt that they were as good as I expected from the price and hype.
With the Nikon Rf's the 85f3.5 is particularly "smooth" - small and easy to use and I suspect that the longer throw on the Nikon makes it easier to "pin-pint" focus.
I have been lobbying for a 90f2.8, but to no avail. If the Zeiss 85f4 had been a 2.8 I would have jumped on it (and if the hood could have been reversed for storage).
Camera Quest has this great deal on right now: For a measly $500 you get three (3!) lenses for your Nikon Rf, the Nokton 50f1.5 S (only asph lens ever made for the Nikon Rf), the 50f2.5 Color Skopar (small and damned sharp) and the 85f3.5 Apo Lanthar. Definitely the best deal around!!!! Just pick up a S2 or S3 and a 85 finder - and you are set. You should be able to put the package together for less than the price of a beater M6 with a well used 50f2 ($15-1700). Add a 35f2.5 to the Nikon (would fall well within the budget) and you are ready for action.
 
Tom:

Your ideas regarding what constitutes a good deal have me smiling. I love the lens side of things, but to purchase the body...ouch.

I've pretty much decided to buy one of three lenses, the Tele-Elmarit, Hexanon, or the CV 90mm. I'm leaning towards the T-E, but finding a nice copy through someone that I trust will take some patients, whereas the CV is a slam dunk. I would buy the CV right now, except for the length of the lens with hood. I have been looking for a rubber collapsible hood for the CV 90mm, but came up short.
 
I also forgot about the Contax G 90mm conversion through Dirk at Japan Exposures. I certainly have been happy with the lens on a G2. I wonder how this lens stacks up against the Hex, or T-E. Probably, splitting hairs here.
 
The Hexanon has a built in lens shade and that is a big plus, but Puts claims that this lens is optically inferior in every way to the Tele-Elmarit.
 
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You sure ? Or is he comparing to the Elmarit-M, a different lens, also including a built-in shade.

Look up reviews of the Contax G 90/2.8 Sonnar, the Hexanon is a clone of that one.
 
I don't believe the hexanon can be any inferior to the TE. The TE is a good lens but comparing to the sonnar desion, modern coating Hexanon, I would be really surprised.
I vote for cv 90. I have owned many 90mms (the FL is not really my cup of tea) and I kept the cv 90 for general use. I do have a big and bulky 90 cron pre-asph but that's a whole different story.
 
let us know what you think, bw

i've owned both the t-e and the hex. prefer the hex to the t-e, but that's my taste (sonnarphiliac).

guess i'm an ijit in ken rock's book
 
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