90 Summicron R v. 90 Elmarit R

[leicaphilia]

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Hi folks,

 

looking for some insight into the practical optical quality differences between the 90mm Summicron R and the 90mm Elmarit R other than the stop speed difference.

 

I have a beautiful copy of the Summicron R, loves it performance, but am thinking of selling it and buying the much less expensive first version Elmarit R, as the extra stop really isnt an issue with me.

[folke_k]

First version of the Elmarit R is not really much sharper than the Summicron.

If you waqnt to have a lens with outstanding resolution and sharpness, then take the 2nd version of the Elmarit.

I have all of these 90 mm lenses and in my personal opinion the Summicron delivers by far the best results, despite a lack of sharpness in the corners. I use it mostly wide open and i am astonished how good it really performs.

I would not change to Elmarit 2nd.

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[roguewave]

First version of the Elmarit R is not really much sharper than the Summicron.

If you waqnt to have a lens with outstanding resolution and sharpness, then take the 2nd version of the Elmarit.

I have all of these 90 mm lenses and in my personal opinion the Summicron delivers by far the best results, despite a lack of sharpness in the corners. I use it mostly wide open and i am astonished how good it really performs.

I would not change to Elmarit 2nd.

 

I agree with this!

[masjah]

Presumably we're not talking about the 90 Apo Asph?

[leicaphilia]

Presumably we're not talking about the 90 Apo Asph?

 

Unfortunately, no.

 

However, we ARE talking about a PERFECT 90mm Summicron R that came along with a very nice SL2, total price $350.

[SteveYork]

First version of the Elmarit R is not really much sharper than the Summicron.

If you waqnt to have a lens with outstanding resolution and sharpness, then take the 2nd version of the Elmarit.

I have all of these 90 mm lenses and in my personal opinion the Summicron delivers by far the best results, despite a lack of sharpness in the corners. I use it mostly wide open and i am astonished how good it really performs.

I would not change to Elmarit 2nd.

 

We all have opinions, and mine is that the first version of the 90 elmarit is plenty sharp (the one I have is from the last batch), a little sharper then the first version 90 summicron, and the chatter has always been the first elmarit performs better then the second version close-up. I've used them all and own them all. The summicron, of course, gives the shallow dof and the extra stop of speed. As a practical matter, the optical performance of the elmarits are the same, although the second version is smaller and lighter, and maybe with newer coating (which may account for the divergence in opinion).

 

Check out the old photo.net forum. There used to be a lot of discussion of the old R lenses back in the day. My flickr account has samples of all three.

 

Of the three, the first elmarit the best for all round performance, but as I stated, it was from the last production batch. The second 90 elmarit is a good travel lens (it was actually designed to compete against the growing shift to zoom lenses), but the 90 summicron has the most character.

Edited January 25, 2014 by SteveYork

[gisling]

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I have R90/2 and R90/2,8, I prefer the Summcron R90 for its one stop higher speed, good for available light, and good for shallowed dof

[SteveYork]

I now own both Elmarits and the initial Summicron.

 

They are all good.

 

The first elmarit is plenty sharp with good bokeh.

 

The second elmarit is sharper (a bit) and better close-up. The lightest of the three too.

 

The summicron is sharp stopped down, very good wide open, and seems to have the most character. The heaviest of the three.

 

See my flickr account for examples.