Any reviews of the 90mm f2.4 Summarit?

[sml_photo]

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I am mildly interested in getting a new 90mm f2.4 Summarit lens...not interested in the Summicron or Summilux.  And not the 2.5.

It's difficult to find many threads in this forum or other websites that have user reviews or feedback on this lens.  Especially when one considers how much info is available on other Leica lenses!!  But I must add that the comments and reviews that I've found have been, for the most part, relatively positive.

I know there are inherent practical problems with the focal length.  That is, back in the film days, I had an M4 with a 90mm tele-Elmarit.  I do recall using it quite a bit, though I also remember it was difficult to focus.

Notwithstanding that, I'm thinking 90mm would go well with my mostly wide angle lenses....just to have in the bag, so to speak.  On the other hand, it's not really "necessary."   

Thanks in advance for any experience or feedback on the lens.

 

[rsolomon]

SML

If I recall you just incorporated a 24 into your bag. Have you mastered it already.

 

I own the 75 cron, love it! Weight and size make it a 'carry lens'. I know they make a 75/2.4 but haven't used it. I find the 75 very easy to focus with a 'so similar' POV. Also great for portrait work.

 

Perhaps consider it if focus with the 90 is difficult.

 

Having said all that I know 90 is truly a classic length for a kit.

Edited February 19, 2016 by rsolomon

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[sml_photo]

SML

If I recall you just incorporated a 24 into your bag. Have you mastered it already.

 

I own the 75 cron, love it! Weight and size make it a 'carry lens'. I know they make a 75/2.4 but haven't used it. I find the 75 very easy to focus with a 'so similar' POV. Also great for portrait work.

 

Perhaps consider it if focus with the 90 is difficult.

 

Having said all that I know 90 is truly a classic length for a kit.

Totally impressed that you remember I got that lens! 

I wouldn't say I have "mastered it," though I do find it on my camera quite a bit.  I thought that was an easy buy, once I determined to get the 24mm (as opposed to the 21mm which I was considering at the time).  That's because 24mm is the second most used focal length I use with my Canon DSLR (50mm is first!).  So, as I added that 24mm lens to my Leica 50 and 35mm lenses, it gave me less reason to carry my DSLR with me since my Leica lenses replicated what I used most with my DSLR.

The 90mm is different.  I don't use that focal length a lot.  But, we are going away and I was thinking 90mm would round out my kit effectively, leaving me lacking no "important" focal length for travel.  It would probably be my least used lens, but it would fill an important gap.  I was considering a 75mm, but it's too close in focal length and purpose to my 50, perhaps.

I dunno.....I'm still trying to decide.  I don't expect much response to this post because I don't think it's a widely held lens.  So, I decided today to attach my 85mm lens to my Canon and see what and how I shoot with that for the next several days.

And I will keep your suggestion for the 75mm in mind.  That may work just as well, too!

Thanks for remembering...and for posting!! 

[Schrödinger's cat]

I also remember it was difficult to focus.

 

 

For whatever reason, reviews of this lens seem to be kinda thin on the ground.  I recall one where the reviewer had a few minutes with one at Photokina, I think Mr. Overguard might have commented on it in passing, and the photo blog guy who also talks to dead people liked it.  Course he likes everything so that's not really much help.

 

Assuming rangefinder and lens are both properly calibrated, I suspect you will do fine with focusing the 90.  

I have less than optimal eyesight, am not very good with most of this stuff anyway, and have excellent luck with a different 90.  I suspect that if I'm ok with it then pretty much everybody will be.

Buy one with confidence.

 

I transitioned to Leica from Nikon a year and a half or so ago and use of the longer focal length is something of a DSLR hangover.  

I rather enjoy photographing architectural details and such like things and am finding a 90 to be heavily used for my interests.

 

With 28, 35, 50, and 90 covered I don't seem to feel the loss of versatility from my Nikons, but then most architectural details don't move around very much

I also have a 135, but find that I must use the OVF, which I loathe, in order to focus effectively, and it's probably about to go on the auction block.

Edited February 19, 2016 by Schrödinger's cat

[Jeff S]

For travel, I'd recommend the 90 Macro-Elmar.....a clean earlier version that allows the hood to be reverse mounted....compact and light, and a superb general purpose 90mm lens, not just for macro.  FWIW, Puts considers it one of the best Leica lenses.  Plus, buying used will save money on a lens that you may not use that often.

 

Jeff

[sml_photo]

Buy one with confidence.

 

I like your recommendation!  First, I'm going to try to use my current 85mm with my DSLR for a while over the next few days and see how and where I use it effectively. 

(I use my wide angles so much with my Leica...I wonder how much I'd use the 90?!?!)

Thanks much!!

[sml_photo]

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For travel, I'd recommend the 90 Macro-Elmar.....

Jeff

Thanks for the suggestion.  I'll look into it, but I've already kinda narrowed down to the 90 f2.4 Summarit, based on my "research" to date.

[Schrödinger's cat]

For travel, I'd recommend the 90 Macro-Elmar.....a clean earlier version that allows the hood to be reverse mounted....compact and light, and a superb general purpose 90mm lens, not just for macro.  FWIW, Puts considers it one of the best Leica lenses.  Plus, buying used will save money on a lens that you may not use that often.

 

Jeff

 

I would like to add my own recommendation to this lens and for the same reason.  I frequently carry my second lens in a pants pocket and the configuration of this lens facilitates that.  But only on the older version, the hood is not reversible on the current lens.  In my view, this is the hot setup for travel.

 

By the way smi-photo, I quite liked your website.  I found your version of the Mona with a monochrome foreground an effective technique for giving some new life to a popular tourist view.  Good show.

Edited February 20, 2016 by Schrödinger's cat

[sml_photo]

I would like to add my own recommendation to this lens and for the same reason.  I frequently carry my second lens in a pants pocket and the configuration of this lens facilitates that.  But only on the older version, the hood is not reversible on the current lens.  In my view, this is the hot setup for travel.

 

By the way smi-photo, I quite liked your website.  I found your version of the Mona with a monochrome foreground an effective technique for giving some new life to a popular tourist view.  Good show.

Thanks for the suggestion and the kind remarks! 

And I enjoyed going through your site earlier, also!  I like the color AND the monochrome work equally!  I've "saved it" for future viewing.

[Clactonian]

You might find this link helpful.

http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-90mm-Summarit-M-f-25.html

[LeicaFFM]

I own the 90mm f2.4 Summarit and am very happy with it.

I use it on my M240 and have no problems with the focusing. I can only encourage you to get one. It is a wonderful lens.

[sml_photo]

You might find this link helpful.

http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-90mm-Summarit-M-f-25.html

EXTREMELY helpful. 

He reviews the "older" f2.5 version, but I have read and heard from a couple of sources that the f2.4 is actually improved in a few respects.

[sml_photo]

I own the 90mm f2.4 Summarit and am very happy with it.

I use it on my M240 and have no problems with the focusing. I can only encourage you to get one. It is a wonderful lens.

Thanks much for sharing your experience!

Just wondering...do you use an EVF with the lens?  Or is it "fine" focusing without one, in practice?

[LeicaFFM]

Thanks much for sharing your experience!

Just wondering...do you use an EVF with the lens?  Or is it "fine" focusing without one, in practice?

 

I just use the normal optical viewfinder. I don't even own an EVF.

[Jeff S]

Focusing preferences.....and eyesight....vary by individual.  For me, the RF on the M is ideal for ANY 28-90 M lens.  YMMV.

 

Jeff

Edited February 21, 2016 by Jeff S

[CheshireCat]

I am mildly interested in getting a new 90mm f2.4 Summarit lens...not interested in the Summicron or Summilux.  And not the 2.5.

 

 

You are "mildly" interested in the 90/2.4 and not interest in the old and new 90/2 not 90/2.5... why ?

BTW: No Summilux 90 ever existed.

[sml_photo]

You are "mildly" interested in the 90/2.4 and not interest in the old and new 90/2 not 90/2.5... why ?

BTW: No Summilux 90 ever existed.

Don't want the size and weight of the Summicron.

And I prefer the newer versions of things, given the choice.

And for sure I'm not getting a 90mm Summilux! 

[CheshireCat]

And for sure I'm not getting a 90mm Summilux! 

 

 

But you could get a 90mm Noctilux !

 

Edited February 21, 2016 by CheshireCat

[sml_photo]

But you could get a 90mm Noctilux !

 

Haha!  Is that a 1.0 or 0.95?  And, does it come in a silver finish?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[CheshireCat]

Haha!  Is that a 1.0 or 0.95?  And, does it come in a silver finish?

 

 

Only f/1, and only available in black in very limited US Navy edition.