jr_senator
Member
What iis the difference between the Leica M Summicron 1:2/90mm and the Leica M APO Summicron 1:2/90mm? The former is $1000 in used, mint condition and the latter is $3500 new.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
The APO is among the finest 35mm lenses ever computed- likely in the top 5.
Ben Z
Veteran
I had the APO and sold it, downsized to the pre-APO. When I use a 90 wide open I like the creamy look of the pre better. Stopped down to 2.8 it's as sharp and contrasty as the last Elmarit (had that one too). Open it to f/2 and it's a perfect portrait lens. I found the APO at f/2 too clinically sharp for what I wanted to use the lens for. Same thing I found pretty much with all the ASPH lenses, which is why I sold them and went back to the last pre-ASPH versions. But I gave up the bragging rights to the sharpest shots of bookshelves, so there is a downside 
peter_n
Veteran
I did the same as Ben and for the same reasons, with the addition that I wasn't taken with its performance close-up - it doesn't have moving elements like the 75/2 and that probably accounts for it. I wouldn't say I downsized, the APO and pre-APO are identical in size, but many might think I downgraded.
The APO has an aspherical element and apochromatic correction and these are very expensive features but in line with Leica's current philosophy of making lenses as sharp as possible. I liked the lens for a while but began to get frustrated with it after a few months, bought the pre-APO and after a couple months with that got rid of the APO. I don't miss it.
The APO has an aspherical element and apochromatic correction and these are very expensive features but in line with Leica's current philosophy of making lenses as sharp as possible. I liked the lens for a while but began to get frustrated with it after a few months, bought the pre-APO and after a couple months with that got rid of the APO. I don't miss it.