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the 90mm portrait question


colonel

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I want a lens that is not so expensive but is as sharp as possible in the centre.

 

I take very detailed portraits and also more flattering ones but figured that I can take detail out but not put it back in.

 

I am deciding between (all second hand):

 

1. Leica 90mm f2.8 ASPH

2. Leica 90mm f2 pre-APO

3. Leica 90mm f2.5

4. Zeiss 85mm f4 (uncertain whether enough depth of field and also sharp enough at f4 ? I take alot at f4 bit does it need to be stopped down ?)

 

Any suggestions gratefully received or anyone with more then one of the above who can compare and contrast

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I am not aware of a 90mm 1:2.8 ASPH; would that be a Summicron (1:2.0), by any chance? Also, I think you might like to consider the Elmarit-M 90mm 1:2.8 (latest edition, with the sliding lens hood) which has a very good reputation.

 

As far as I can see, the 85mm 1:4 can not possibly have a narrower depth of field than - say - a 90mm 1:2.8.

Edited by pop
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I have the non-Aspheric version of your first choice. It is an excellent lens which meets all of my needs. The Summicron Apo is rather more expensive and more than I wished to spend on limited use.

 

An even lower cost possibility is the older Elmar. A clean copy is very reasonable and unlikely to lose any value if you choose to upgrade later.

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Had you considered a 90mm Tele-Elmarit? Very inexpensive, compact, and razor sharp in the centre.

 

I have to agree with Colin, I have the pre ASPH 90/2.0 and a "thin" TEM 90/2.8 that I purchased after reading about it here. I love the 90/2.0 for portraits, but it rarely gets used. The TEM is excellent, pin sharp, with nice bokeh at 2.8. Light and small it's a good walking around lens also.

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I have to agree with Colin, I have the pre ASPH 90/2.0 and a "thin" TEM 90/2.8 that I purchased after reading about it here. I love the 90/2.0 for portraits, but it rarely gets used. The TEM is excellent, pin sharp, with nice bokeh at 2.8. Light and small it's a good walking around lens also.

+ 1 ; Summarit is a modern alternative, with higher sharpness at center...but a contrast that is also on the high side and can look even excessive (judging my 75... I suppose the 90 is quite similar)

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I too would recommend the pre-asph Summicron 90mm for portrait work. It has the added advantage (some versions only perhaps) of being Visoflex adaptable. Also, it is a good buy, probably due to its somewhat large size and length. The 90mm focal length coupled with the fast aperature give you considerable control over "portrait" focus. The edges are good but not great. Regards, Ron

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I want a lens that is not so expensive but is as sharp as possible in the centre.

Elmarit-M. Better than the pre-Apo Summicrons I've tried, excellent value and good ergonomics. A little gem. Had several Summicrons, but have never been entirely happy with either performance or ergonomics; had an Elmarit-M which I stupidly sold and then had to buy a replacement, which is now a keeper. FWIW I also have a 75mm Summicron which is optically fabulous, and it does outperform the Elmarit-M but not by as massive a margin as might be thought, and,, after a little work in Photoshop the Elmarit-M files can hold their own against most.

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I think that you can do an excellent job with any of the 90s.

 

The quality and use of the light is of profound importance and of course what developing adjustments you choose to use.

Those are a routine part of getting the best from my images for me. My preference is for the best adjusted and corrected modern lenses.

 

These are with the Elmarit M if you would like to look.

 

bon3326 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

am5279BW photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

am5357 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

mbh6638 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

am5417 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

mbh6632 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

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Portrait quality will probably be dependent on the quality of light and the photographer's skill rather than limitations of the lens with any of the Leica 90 mm lenses. My own experience has been with the "thin" Tele-Elmarit. In the center between f/4 and f/8 it's probably comparable to the current APO; I get lovely bokeh in the background corners. It's relatively inexpensive and it's small size and weight make it a great travel lens as well.

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I have #1 and #2. Love both for different reasons as some have touched upon. Also have 2x6-bit copies of each the Tele-Elmarit and the Elmarit-M. Leica still works on these lenses including 6-bit work. Also have the Macro 90/4.0. #1 is the best of the lot with the Macro 90 close for my uses although every 90 is worth consideration. Keep in mind that your style and vision could change over the coming years so perhaps getting a 90 that serves many disciplines might be well served.

 

Price wise today seems the Tele-Elmarit being the least expensive, however paying a bit more for the Elmarit-M will definitely satisfy.

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I have to agree with Colin, I have the pre ASPH 90/2.0 and a "thin" TEM 90/2.8 that I purchased after reading about it here. I love the 90/2.0 for portraits, but it rarely gets used. The TEM is excellent, pin sharp, with nice bokeh at 2.8. Light and small it's a good walking around lens also.

 

And another Colin here, same lenses and similar thoughts. The TEM is in the daily bag although in my case the pre ASPH Chon gets fairly frequent use.

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I had the 90 APO-ASPH Summicron and sold it along with several other ASPH lenses, and am only regretful I didn't hold off until the prices shot up, but who could have predicted such a thing? I currently have the pre-ASPH 90 Cron, both thin and fat T-E's, and a 90 Elmar LTM. The Cron is a spectacular lens, every bit the equal of the Elmarit-M (I had one of those also) from f/2.8 down, and not much bigger or heavier. The thin T-E is my travel 90, as it is so small and light. Ditto the LTM Elmar, but it is a stop slower and not quite as contrasty. The fat T-E I keep as a backup in case something happens to my thin one. At one time I also had the CV 90/3.5 which is truly an awesome lens and very economical. They are all fine lenses, any one of which would make a fine portrait lens IMO.

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Elmarit-M. Better than the pre-Apo Summicrons I've tried...

 

But not at f2 ;)

 

I own a pre-asph. Cron and a M-Hexanon 2,8/90.

The Konica lens is open (f2.8) sharper than my Cron at f2.8.

But the Leica lens has a special character which I prefer over sharpnes; esp. for portrait.

At f4 and slower, the Summicron is very sharp too.

The only thing I sometimes don't like is the weight :( ...

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The Elmarit-M is an exceptional lens and if one is to believe big thinkers like Puts it took Leica until the release of the APO to beat it. I am very pleased with mine.

 

The pre-asph and the Elmarit-M sell for approximately the same (about 1000€ in Europe) so to a certain extent it depends on whether you need f2 and would be happy to accept the larger filter factor of the Summicron (E49 or E55 vs E46 for the Elmarit-M).

 

1000€ isn't really inexpensive, though. The thin T-E can be had for less. I considered it (and still do, to be honest) but received a lovely 1938 Elmar which fulfils my needs for a small and light 9cm lens, though it isn't really a very sharp lens.

 

Perhaps other members can chime in on the 90 Elmar-C and the Elmar?

 

Philip

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But not at f2 ;)

Agreed:). But my pre-Aspheric Summicrons felt 'soft' wide open and I didn't feel that they had character but were simply soft. My impression/opinion/experience and the lenses were getting on though.

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Agreed:). But my pre-Aspheric Summicrons felt 'soft' wide open and I didn't feel that they had character but were simply soft. My impression/opinion/experience and the lenses were getting on though.

 

No problem ;)

 

As written, for me is sharpness not too much important.

I.e. I had a Leica Summicron 50mm Typ IV; a nice lens and very sharp!

But for me without any character; I prefer a C-Sonnar 50mm instead.

 

So I love my pre-asph. 90mm Cron and hope that my neck can carry it for a long time ...

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