Freelander Posted January 4, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 4, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Not quite sure if this is the right place for this . However. I'd like to read what you guys and girls think about my following question. I'll soon have enough for a used Summicron 90mm F2 ASPH. However as I work mainly in b/w would I notice much difference between the ASPH APO and the older non version ? There is a considerable price difference used .These choices are driving me crazy. Any help will no doubt just confuse me further . Please don't let that stop you Thanks up front as they say Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Hi Freelander, Take a look here Summicron 90 ASPH or not ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
adan Posted January 4, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 4, 2010 (edited) Short answer - yes. The difference may or may not be an "improvement" depending on what you seek in your images. Contrast: if more is good, the APO will be ahead until between f/4 and f/5.6. Beyond that they are about equal. Resolution: about like contrast. The non-APO version, especially at f/2, has an interesting look where there is a soft image overlaid on a sharp image. In color shots one can see that this is lateral chromatic aberration - red not focusing in quite the same plane as green/blue. In B&W it shows as the soft/sharp effect. I'd say the non-APO version (latest, compact design) has multiple "characters" depending on aperture - the APO is simply a snappy, modern lens crisp at all apertures. Overall color (not applicable to B&W): non-APO, slight greeny-cyan quality common to Leica glass of the era (1980-ish); APO - about as neutral as Leica makes. --------- There are also the really old, pre-1980 90 f/2 "stovepipes" with telescoping shades. True 90mm lenses instead of telephoto designs, so quite long and heavy. Performance about like the compact non-APO except contrast is even lower over more apertures. Edited January 4, 2010 by adan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted January 4, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 4, 2010 Not. My experience as a B&W shooter with just one sample of the ASPH was that it appeared sharp at medium and long distances but not with close-ups. I bought the last pre-ASPH (55mm filter) and liked it a lot better in terms of the way it rendered an image especially wide-open and it was reasonably sharp with near subjects too. I sold the ASPH and have been happy - no regrets. Also after I sold I saw online reports of other people unhappy with the ASPH close-up performance and I wonder if it's because the lens lacks a floating element(s). I use the 75 ASPH and it has accurate focus throughout the distance scale but it has a floating element. I'd get a pre-ASPH version first and if you're happy with it then fine, if not try the ASPH. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted January 4, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 4, 2010 Well, I havn't seen yet a comparison between the sharpness on close focus of the Apo-Asph and the older 90mm-Summicron, but all I can see is that the Apo-Asph. doesn't leave anything to desire in this respect. The most current objection against the Apo-Asph is its heaviness - the pre-Asph. weighs 410gr, the Apo-Asph 500gr. In any other respect I can't add anything to what Adan already said. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telewatt Posted January 5, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 5, 2010 (edited) Well, I havn't seen yet a comparison between the sharpness on close focus of the Apo-Asph and the older 90mm-Summicron, but all I can see is that the Apo-Asph. doesn't leave anything to desire in this respect. The most current objection against the Apo-Asph is its heaviness - the pre-Asph. weighs 410gr, the Apo-Asph 500gr. In any other respect I can't add anything to what Adan already said. the Apo-Asph. is the best performer in sharpness and contrast....I worked a lot with this lens.... ...personally, I went back to the older lens....the Apo-lens had to much contrast for doing my work in dark Jazz-clubs......but it is a great lens!... regards, Jan Edited January 5, 2010 by telewatt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted January 5, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 5, 2010 Actually, the pre-APO 90 f/2 compact weights about 475g (without lens caps), just slightly less than the APO. It's the 90 Elmarit-M that weighs 410g. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted January 5, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 5, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) HI, I looked at your website; the portraits are marvelous! Based on what I saw there and on my personal experience with 90mm lenses i think you will be best served by a __thin__ 90 mm f/2,8 Tele-Elmarit M. I have owned this lens, then upgraded(???) to the Apo-Asph, went to the other extreme and got the f/4 for the CL, and now have the last version 2,8 Elmarit-M. This focal length is the only one where I have have been through several lenses. Some of my f/2,8 Tele-Elmarit M portraits can be found here (please scroll down the page): http://www.almqvist.net/chris/portraits/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted January 5, 2010 Share #8 Posted January 5, 2010 Also after I sold I saw online reports of other people unhappy with the ASPH close-up performance and I wonder if it's because the lens lacks a floating element(s). I can only confirm that mine front-focuses about 1 inch close-up, but it has never worried me too much. Wide open at closest range the DoF is so shallow as to be virtually inexistent (shallower even than the Noctilux). This is a portrait/tele lens and as such it performs brilliantly. (Of course older versions might as well, can't comment). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iShutterbug Posted January 5, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 5, 2010 HI, I looked at your website; the portraits are marvelous! Based on what I saw there and on my personal experience with 90mm lenses i think you will be best served by a __thin__ 90 mm f/2,8 Tele-Elmarit M. I have owned this lens, then upgraded(???) to the Apo-Asph, went to the other extreme and got the f/4 for the CL, and now have the last version 2,8 Elmarit-M. This focal length is the only one where I have have been through several lenses. Some of my f/2,8 Tele-Elmarit M portraits can be found here (please scroll down the page): Chris Almqvist - Photograpy Chris, I compliment you on your pictures. I think they are great [classic] Leica shots--great people shots--each hinting of a story behind them. Thanks for showing them. Don Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted January 5, 2010 Share #10 Posted January 5, 2010 I can only confirm that mine front-focuses about 1 inch close-up, but it has never worried me too much. Wide open at closest range the DoF is so shallow as to be virtually inexistent (shallower even than the Noctilux). This is a portrait/tele lens and as such it performs brilliantly. (Of course older versions might as well, can't comment).I had bought the lens for a specific project with a youth orchestra where the light was poor and I definitely had a problem with mine, but as I said in my post it was a sample of one. While I was looking around for an f2 replacement I used my travel "thin" f2.8 Tele-Elmarit and it actually worked quite well (but slow) see the pic below. I don't deny the 90 ASPH is a very good lens, I've taken some good pictures with it but it was sub-optimal for my project. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/108643-summicron-90-asph-or-not/?do=findComment&comment=1175445'>More sharing options...
budrichard Posted January 5, 2010 Share #11 Posted January 5, 2010 I don't think you will observe much of a difference in any Leica/Leitz 90mm Summicron. I have an early Canadian chrome version with attached hood, a beautiful heavy lens and a current 90 ASPH. Using K64 shooting my favorite telephoto scene which has 138KV Transmission towers about 1/2 mile away, under 5X mag, I see no perceptable difference. Purchase the lens with the best condition. The only thing the 90mm ASPH has going for it, is that it is newer and less likely to have an aging problems.-Dick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freelander Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted January 6, 2010 Thanks for all your coments and help :0) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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