Leica M 90mm

[jr_senator]

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]

The APO is among the finest 35mm lenses ever computed- likely in the top 5.

 

[Ben Z]

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]

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.