I'm contemplating buying a portrait lens for my M. Which is the better choice, a used 90 'cron 2.0 or a used 90 elmar 2.8? The extra stop on the 'cron doesn't really impress me much (I tend to use faster film rather than opening wide) but is there enough of a difference to warrant the extra dough?

ps. It also occured to me that I can get a older R with a 'cron 90 for the same price (both used) as a used 'cron 90 M

-- Daisung Jang (aquadhere@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002

Answers

Daisung,

Unless the used 90mm Summicron is one of the current model APO-ASPH versions, I would opt for it rather than the 90mm f/2,8.

For portrait work that you indicate, you may find that the shallower DOF obtainable with the 'cron, combined with the slightly softer performance wide open on the older versions may be best for your work.

The 90mm f.2.8, again in particular the older versions, will also be somewhat soft , but will obviously have slightly greater DOF wide open.

As was noted above relative to the latest Summicron, the current 2.8 Elmarit is also sharp wide open.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 06, 2002.

"the current 2.8 Elmarit is also sharp wide open."

. . . and so is the original one! The Tele-Elmarits, I don't know about.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 06, 2002.

The 90 f2.8 Elmarit is tack sharp wide open,(over 80 lines per mm) and close subjects taken at f2.8 have extremely limited depth of field. The 90 f2.0 lens may be more useful for shooting stage shows at f2.0, but for tight portrait type of images, 2.0 on a 90 is almost too little depth of field for my taste. Its hard to even get both eyes in focus at f2.8 and 1 meter.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), March 06, 2002.

I'm facing exactly the same dilemma at the moment. I've just been offered a '97 90mm Summicron for NZ$1200 (about US$550). It's in mint condition - receipt , paperwork, case & box. Really tempting but I'm going to wait for that 2.8 Elmarit!

-- Angus Macniven (angus_macniven@hotmail.com), March 07, 2002.

do try the voigtlander 90/3.5 - slower but very sharp and great value. can be had NIB for $399. cheers

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), March 07, 2002.

Bob,

Not my intent to imply the first generation 90mm 2.8 Elmarit was a poor lens. Simply that the latest Elmarit-M, corner to corner, is a sharper lens wide open than was the original (and contrastier too).

I have a 1959 Elmarit, and a 1998 Elmarit-M. Any close-up head shots are always taken now with the former once I noted the wide open performance of the Elmarit-M. The 50s-60s generation of Leitz lenses have certain characteristics that the latest lenses have removed in Leicas quest to improve the numbers obtained "on the bench tests".

I believe that has transpired to enable their equipment to get the best out of todays film. A worthy effort on their part, but one which doesn't always improve the image the individual photographer seeks.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 07, 2002.

Daisung-

I think you should explore the idea of picking up an R and a 90 for it; I did the same for a number of reasons:

When using a 90, i prefer an slr; and i like having the 90 permanantly on another camera- i like having it accessible (i carry it with an m4p w/ either a 50mm or a 35mm).

The R90 sumicron (which i have) and the elmarit are both excellent lenses. they may not = the M90 APO, but i'm sure you will still be happy with one of them (the elmarit is supposedly extremely sharp if you don't need f2)

-jeremyT

blue,Ink

-- jeremyT (jerthomas@earthlink.net), March 07, 2002.

90/2 preasph for portraits seems to be the lens, also it is quite cheap now and from f/4 you won't see a diference from a latest elmarit or newer asph, as read many times here...

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), March 07, 2002.