Looking for a portrait lens

cp_ste.croix

cp_ste.croix

At the beginning again.
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In a perfect world, I'd buy the 75 cron, but I'm not loaded...so I'm thinking of a 90 cron as speed and subject isolation is important to me.

My question is about the different versions of the 90 cron are there substantive quality differences? On KEH there are a feq 90 crons ranging from $400 to over $800...is this merely a condition valuation?

I've also thought of some of the older LTM lenses from Nikon and Canon, but I'm having trouble finding them.

Any recommendations for a portrait lens that decently isolates subject, has a great fingerprint and is decently fast for less than my right arm are more than welcome.

Cheers
 
If money is limited, you can't go wrong with a 90/2.8 elmarit - it is reasonably priced and excellent optics. The 2.8 isolates well and is fast enough. I have one and use it
KEH has them - the chrome versions are cheaper than the rarer black ones- but the optics are obviously no different
David
 
I can suggest a 90mm f4 Elmar ($100-150), a ltm Canon 85mm f2 ($200), or if you're feeling lucky, a Jupiter 9 (85mm f2, $100) as budget friendly choices.
 
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Look at the voigtlander offerings, the 75 and 90 are both great lenses that will do well for you and are dirt cheap new.
 
i have a Canon 85/2 LTM serenar in very good condition, optics are in excellent condition... original front and rear caps, original hood and aux view finder... i'll throw in a few series VII filters (ND, yellow, red, green etc.)... all for $225

PM if you're interested...

ken
 
I'd recommend a Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 in LTM mount, great portrait lens and can be had quite reasonably when it pops up for sale.
 
gertf said:
I'd recommend a Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 in LTM mount, great portrait lens and can be had quite reasonably when it pops up for sale.
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I was thinking about this lens, but I'll be damned if I can find one...

Regarding the KEH site, are there any reasons other than lens condition that would acount for the disparity between 90 cron prices?
 
I did a lot of research over the past 3 weeks since I wanted the same type of lens for existing light portrait photography. I just purchased a 90 Summicron from Igor's Camera and received it a few days ago. The first version came out in the late 1950's, had 6 elements and is extremely heavy. It was out in chrome only, and had medium contrast with low vignetting. Version 2 came out in the early 1960's, both in chrome and black. This was also 6 elements but used different glass types. Performance was much better than the 1950's version, especially wide open. Low vignetting at 1 stop. This lens was designed and produced by the Midland group in Canada, home of the Noctilux. Version 3 came out in the 1980's and was a complete redesign with 5 elements and much less weight. According to Erwin Puts, this was a compromise lens but still very good. Vignetting at 1 and a half stops, and more distortion than the previous version 2. Bokeh in this lens is very good. Puts calls it smooth sharpness, where sharp edges start to fade out. Version 4 is the 90AA and is extremely sharp, according to previous users here on this forum. I think Raid has some good photo examples of his daughters using Version 2 of the Summicron. If you do a search, you may be able to see his examples.

I purchased Version 3 with the E55 filter size. I wanted the lighter weight, boke, and more modern coatings. Also, the 55mm multicoated filters are very easy to get and much cheaper.
 
I've also thought of some of the older LTM lenses from Nikon and Canon, but I'm having trouble finding them.
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Take a look at the Canon 100/3.5. It is v. sharp, and very compact and lightweight to boot. About the width of the CV 75, but a tad longer. This lens was produced in an earlier chrome & black and a later all-black version (I have the former), but AFAIK the lens formula was the same. Prices these days tend to run around $200, give or take $50, depending on condition. Worth watching for.
 
Yes there is, one that doesn't have rangefinder coupling and one that does. Cameraquest sells both types.

Krosya said:
There is also the a wonderful Hexanon 90/2.8, if you can find one.
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Seconded! The lens is a Sonnar-type design. There is a new one for sale right now on eBay. :)
 
I would also recommend the Canon 85/2; it's rather heavy, but I've found it very easy to use and focus, and gives very nice results. On my lens, there are several light areas on the inside of the barrel; it looks like peeling paint to me. However, there are no paint chips inside or on the glass, and it doesn't seem to affect the quality, so if you find a lens with a similar problem, don't worry too much.

Here is a sample portrait with this lens:
2064461431_1ca8d76012.jpg
 
I'm extremely partial to the current Elmarit-M 90mm. It's not f2, but it's a stellar performer- low vignetting, very sharp, even wide open, pretty nice oof rendering, and it's not a behemoth. VERY simliar in every way to the Hexanon which many people like.
 
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