Which 90mm lens?

[jablankenship]

I am considering buying a 90mm lens. Is there a noticeable difference between the Summicron-M APO and the Summarit. I use a Leica MP and do not plan to use digital anytime soon.

[tobey bilek]

The Summarits are more traditional lenses. The APO 90 is very crisp right into the corners at F2.0.

If 4.0 is enough, then the 90 Elmar is a gem. It is sharp as the 90 APO without 2.0 and 2.8, and a whole lot easier to carry.

I rarely use my 90 Summicron and grab the Elmar

[JBA]

The 90 AA Summicron is my favorite M lens and I use it constantly, but it is the heaviest lens I've ever used on any camera. Lugging around this bear of a lens is the price I have to pay for the amazing sharpness and contrast.

I've handled the 90 Summarit a few times and it's a real pleasure to use, but I can't say much about how it renders images. It's light, compact and well balanced, and also very easy to focus.

[marknorton]

Another vote here for the 90 AA but I have to say I'm not a big fan of the Elmar. By the time you put the hood on it - and it's the type with metal claws which can damage the lens barrel finish - it's about the same size as the Elmarit which was a great performer, compact, built in hood. However, the 90/2 is the one to go for, needs careful focussing wide open and/or close up and a viewfinder magnifier. No experience of the Summarit.

[ClaudioJ]

Instead of the hood which is delivered with the Elmar 4/90 you should take the hood for the Elmar 2,8/50, this one is smaller and you can screw it in. That makes the 4/90 Elmar very comfortable.Regards,cJ.

[peter_n]

I sold the 90 AA and bough the 90 pre-ASPH and a Nikkor 85/2. The 90 AA was sharp right out to the corners at medium and long distance, but not close up. To me sharpness isn't everything and I was shooting people with it, not architecture. The immediately preceding pre-ASPH 90 is kinder to people but at a stop or two down is absolutely sharp through the distance range. A wonderful lens.

[jablankenship]

Does the Macro Elmar-M 90mm lens perform well when focusing on long-range distances? It seems to be a very practical/compact lens but how does it perform at long-range distances? Is it more than a macro lens? Thanks for your advice.

[tobey bilek]

The 90 APO and the 90 Elmar are within a hair at infinity. You can not see the difference unless you make your own enlargements with the best lenses at 16x20 or greater and they are almost the same there for all practical purposes.

Under six feet the APO goes a bit soft as did the previous 90 Summicron. It made pleasant

portraits with that "defect". The Elmar remains sharp at any distance.

The shade does not scratch the lens unless you are clumsy.

My daily carry is 50 2.8 and 90 Elmar both latest design and a 35 2.0 V 4. Collapsed the 90 is the size of a 50 and about the same weight. I can carry this all day long.

Base your decision on if you need F 2 or not and weight.