Angenieux 45-90mm or Summilux 80mm

[deniellove]

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I bought a Leica DMR for my R8

I want to purchase a portrait lens

Summilux 80 or Angenieux 45-90 which one is better?

[tobey bilek]

80 mm lens is legendary. It will scream sharp at 2.8.

 

45/90 is just an average Leica lens.

[luigi bertolotti]

...

45/90 is just an average Leica lens.

 

... and not so nice to handle, I think... probably, thinking of a zoom, the "honest" Sigma-Leitz 28-70 is better, and cheaper, too.

[Ivar B]

Also the 45-90 is hard to find with an R-cam as most of these lenses had SL cam only. You also have to pay a collectors surcharge and if what you are looking for is a user lens it may not be the best choice.

 

You should also consider the 2nd version of the 2.8/90. Same optical formula as the M sibling and first class optically and very reasonably priced. The 80mm will cost you maybe 3 times as much.

[scsambrook]

. . .I want to purchase a portrait lens

Summilux 80 or Angenieux 45-90 which one is better?

 

Unless you want to shoot candle-lit portraits, or ones in semi darkness, you probably won't ever need the speed of the Summilux. However, the ability to alter the focal length on the Angeniux zoom might possibly be an advantage for all except studio situations . . . Quite a hard choice to make if you have the chance to chose between two equally good examples. However, the sensible choice is the later 90mm f2.8 taking into account its (of-quoted) high standard of performance, more modest weight and lower selling price.

 

But, hey - we're really all raving gearheads at heart, for whom logic will usually take a back seat to what we fancy So if you fancy that big glittering lump of glass that's the 1.4/80, then go for it. (I would - that's for sure!)

[tgray]

If all reports are to be believed, the 80 Summilux is one of THE R lenses to own. I'd get that.

 

I almost got an R and an 80/1.4, but decided for just a bit more, I could get the 75/1.4 for my M. And while I shoot film, at least there's a real digital future for M lenses. So I suspect R lenses will drop in prices, while M ones will go up...

 

Why is this relevant? Well the 75/1.4 and the 80/1.4 are closely related designs. I've been quite happy with the 75/1.4. Kind of soft and glowy at f/1.4 (but the 'right' amount), and it really sharpens up somewhere between f/2 and f/2.8.

 

Other portrait-range lenses to consider would be the 90 APO Summicron, the 90/2.8, or even the 100 Macro. There's something to be said for all of them.

[andybarton]

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If you have trouble finding a Summilux, don't dismiss a bog-standard 90 pre-ASPH Summicron. An outstanding lens and dirt cheap. I paid about £250 for mine and it's a belter

[topoxforddoc]

Just buy the 80 lux. It's one of the best portrait lenses made. I looked for a long time to get mine, but I won't be selling it. I bet Roguewave (Ben) would say the same.

[ns_ng]

Instead of the the Angenieux 45-90, have a look at the 35-70 Vario-Elmar. This is a great zoom at a reasonable price. This was one of my favourite lenses when I had the DMR. This lens has now been converted to an alpha mount. The other excellent zoom, at a much higher price is the 28-90 Vario-Elmarit Asph.

 

N.S. Ng

 

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