I found my Macro 90/4 to slow, what lens should i by next?

[Guest Olof]

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My Macro Elmar 90mm/4.0 is a nice linse by day, but indoor and at the evening its to slow.

 

What should i by next ?

 

90/2.0

90/2.8

75/2.0

 

I own already a 50/1.4 and 50/1.0

[cbretteville]

If you like the 90mm, get a faster one. Personally I have the current version 90/2.8 and like it a lot. It is a nice compromise in speed, weight and size. You might want to wait for the 90/2.5 due later in the year. OTOH if you're a real speed freak a 90/2.0 is the only cure. The APO seems to be a great lens but pricey, the previous 90/2.0 is not as good and apparently not as good as the current 90/2.8. 'Good' here is off cause a relative term. Best of luck in deciding.

 

- Carl

[marknorton]

Keep in mind there will shortly be the 75 and 90 Summarits which will further confuse the picture and it's not clear how long the 90 Elmarit will stay in production.

 

To make a worthwhile difference, I think you need to go more than 1 stop faster and you need to think about whether the 90 angle of view is right for you. If you want a little wider, go for the 75/2, otherwise the 90/2, both are excellent.

[jaapv]

The 90/2.8 is indeed a great lens, compact and of impeccable quality. However, if you like the modern fingerprint of the 4.0 macro, the 90AA might be a better choice. (except financially, that is )

[cam2000]

I had a AA Summicron 90mm and then bought for a job a Elmar-macro 90mm lens...... so for me to keep two 90's I preferred to keep the macro and trade in my 90mm F2 lens for a AA Summicron 75 lens F2, I am glad I did the switch.... focussing at F2 is easier with the 75mm lens.

[marknorton]

A focussing magnifier is pretty much essential with both the 75/2 and the 90/2.

[Guest Olof]

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I had a AA Summicron 90mm and then bought for a job a Elmar-macro 90mm lens...... so for me to keep two 90's I preferred to keep the macro and trade in my 90mm F2 lens for a AA Summicron 75 lens F2, I am glad I did the switch.... focussing at F2 is easier with the 75mm lens.

 

Thats also a idea i have, keep the macro and buy a 75mm

[MitchoIankov]

I also find my ROKKOR 90/4 a bit slow and after investigation concluded that 90mm F2 on M8 has so little depth of field that unless you subject is really still the number of out of focus pictures will be very high (at F2). After all, that is 120 mm in 35mm speak.

 

I bought used 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. It is very compact (still looking for E39 UV/IR filter) and inexpensive (Leica terms). It focuses down only to 1 m.

[Mauribix]

My Macro Elmar 90mm/4.0 is a nice linse by day, but indoor and at the evening its to slow.

 

What should i by next ?

 

90/2.0

90/2.8

75/2.0

 

I own already a 50/1.4 and 50/1.0

 

I would suggest the 90summicron AA. If speed is your trivia, just 1stop faster (the2.8 elmarit) won't be enough.

Otherway , thinking about that you are not scared about carryin' heavy-weight lenses (i.e. the NOCTILUX), i would consider a 75lux...

 

cheers

 

maurizio

 

MAURIZIO BEUCCI.com - Official web site

[luigi bertolotti]

Just as a diversive... why not to look for a used 75 1,4 ? If you REALLY FEEL THE NEED for more aperture... or better again a Summarex 85 1,5 (I'll not sell MY Rex...)

[sean_reid]

I've tested the 90s and two 75s, if that's of interest.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[James Mitchell]

Also, don't forget the availability of the older Nikkor 85/2 in LTM. I have a chrome and a black paint. The newer black paint, while rarer and more expensive (a bit more than the current 90/2.8 Leica on the used market) than the chrome, is extremely sharp, with great color range and works very well on my M8. It has a 48mm filter thread. I have a B&W UV/IR-cut filter for it.

[a_schmidt_ms]

Hi there,

 

i can recommend the M-APO 2/90mm ASPH.. It offers the optimum of photographic technology.

Before the purchase I had used the Non-Apo version 2/90mm.

I was satisfied with the quality. However, I require the "brutality" of sharpness and contrast of the APO correction.

 

Non-APO version: recommended!

APO version: recommended!

 

 

Questions and feedback is allowed!

 

 

Kind regards,

Andreas

[lmr]

Jan Olof:

 

It all depends what you are currently using your 90 f4 for.

 

If you want a macro and 90f4 is too slow, then maybe a 50mm DR

 

If you want a 90 f4 replacement for people or landscape, the 90 AA cron or the 75 AA cron would be good choice. The 90AA cron and The 75 Lux are almost the same build, size and weight. The 75 AA cron is lighter and smaller. All three a super performer.

 

The 35 cron and 75 cron is a great combo. You can add a 21mm to shoot wider

The 50 and 90 AA is a short tele combo. You can add a 28mm cron to shoot wide. I guess wadding a 50 DR, you got it all covered.

 

Hope this helps.

[steve garza]

Have you considered the 90mm M-Hexanon 2.8? It produces gorgeous images w/ wonderful boke. It is small and light. The build quality is equal to Leica standards. They are relatively inexpensive. A mint unit can be had in the $400 range. They are becoming harder and harder to find as people become aware of their wonderful properties.

[lars_bergquist]

The Apo-Summicron is expensive, large and heavy. Its optical superiority may not be very relevant in mobile, handheld practice. You may well consider other lenses, but in the 2.8–2.5 range. Tele-Elmarit lenses do give excellent service. The four-element lens is an excellent travel lens, not least for self-propelled travel, due to its minimal weight, and even the ancient 90mm Elmar works fine. There is also the somewhat shorter 75mm 2.5 lens by Cosina/Voigtländer, which is optically excellent. Such a decision may well make it easier to keep the 90 Macro for closeup work.

 

The old man from the Age of the 90mm Elmar

[christer]

why not use faster film or push the film you use???

 

i have a 90/4 and have had 90/2.0. give some thought to dof before you decide

 

chris

[leitz_not_leica]

Any 90/2.8 is only one stop faster. The 90/2 is too big, as is the 75/1.4. I've owned all of the mentioned...still have the fat 90 TE...I like the "look". I'd get the 75/2...it's 2 stops faster...if money is no object...I have no intention to buy the lens.