LEICA 90mm f/2 SUMMICRON-M (1982-1998)

[pimver]

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Hi all,

 

On this lens, are there APO and non-APO versions?

Currently I see them in the price list as LEICA 11884 Apo-Summicron-M 90mm/2.0

 

So if there are indeed APO and non-APO versions, what exactly is the difference.

 

Thanks for bearing with me

 

Pim

[RobertJRB]

The 90 asph Apo is the successor of the 90 cron.

 

The 90 apo is the better lens but is more expensive

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[01af]

Of this lens, are there apo and non-apo versions?

Yes, there are. The apo version is current; the non-apo version was the predecessor to that, available today only in the used market.

 

 

... what exactly is the difference?

Well ... 'apo,' obviously

 

Seriously—apo is short for 'has apochromatic correction' and basically means a higher-than-average level of the correction of chromatic aberrations. So, in short, everything else being equal, apo is better than non-apo.

 

In addition to that, the Apo-Summicron-M 90 mm Asph is not only apo, it also is asph which is short for 'has aspherical lens elements' which make for a better-than-average correction of spherical aberrations. Again, in short, everything else being equal, asph is better than non-asph.

 

And apo and asph together is about as good as it gets.

 

So, technically, the Apo-Summicron-M 90 mm Asph is a better lens than its predecessor, the Summicron-M 90 mm ... which particularly makes a difference at or near full aperture. At medium or small apertures, not so much. That said, even though the apo version is better (which mostly means, sharper), some users actually prefer the non-apo version for portraiture, due to the softer, more flattering skin rendition. To them, the non-apo is 'better' ... it all depends on your intents and purposes.

[adan]

Well, pimver specified the 1982 (actually, 1980)-1998 lens - which was never APO at any point, and was in fact a single version optically (with a couple of different mounts). Cataloged as 11136.

 

Non-APO 90 Summicron 1980-1982 - has retracting lens hood that covers aperture ring - takes E49 filters

Non-APO 90 Summicon 1982-1998 - has retracting lens hood that does not cover aperture ring - takes E55 filters

 

Both have lens engraving around the front element - both optically identical - both 11136

___________________

 

APO-Summicron-M ASPH 90 1998-present - cataloged as 11884, has engraving on side of lens hood, rather than around front element (front element has larger diameter than 11136) - takes E55 filters.

 

Except for the exterior engraving and being slightly heavier, the 90 ASMA is cosmetically very similar to the non-APO version 1980-1998, so take care in buying.

 

As to differences in imaging - like 01af says, more or less. As with most Solms vs. Mandler designs, the 90 APO has a pinker color rendering and higher contrast, as well as slightly higher resolution, while the pre-APO is more cyan in color and lower in contrast (good for digital, a bit muddy sometimes on color neg film.)

 

There were other 90 Summicrons prior to 1980 - not APO, much larger, and easy to distinguish visually, with long, two-part telescoping lens hoods

[pimver]

Thank you so much, really appreciated

[Etruscello]

One additional point should be made about the 90 non-Asph. If your main purpose for this lens is portraiture, you may prefer it to the Asph. At f2 you'll get a slight softness -- enough to hide skin imperfections, but still get sharp eye lashes; the Leica glow (especially with back-lit hair) and beautiful bokeh (my opinion). Tom

[algrove]

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OP pimver

I have both and mostly shoot landscapes. I got the first one as one of my first used M lenses and then got a chance for the latest APO version. For traveling both are a bit heavy for M lenses, but wow what an image.

 

Both of mine are E55, however if you texpect to travel with a 90 I would recommend the 90 Elmarit M. I know you did not ask this question, but as we do not know what your main use for this lens will be I'd thought I would throw this third lens into the mix.

 

As a fourth and fifth lens there is also the 90 Macro M and the small Tele-Elmarit to consider.

[01af]

As a fourth and fifth lens there is also the 90 Macro M and the small Tele-Elmarit to consider.

So you think the Summarit-M 90 mm is not worth to be considered? Which is funny because all things considered (speed, cost, image quality, size, weight, usability, availability), the Summarit is at the very top of the list of 90 mm M lenses to consider.

[algrove]

I have no experience with the Summarit 90 so I could not speak to that lens. Did not mean to slight it.