Nikon 105 DC vs Leica Elmarit-M 90 2.8

[loriolus]

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Hi all, I recently bought Fuji X-E1 and I absolutely love what this camera can do. I'm mostly into family/friends portraits and this camera/lens( fuji 35 1.4) combo produces skin tones which are only second to Leica(perhaps even on par). I also have a Nikon D700 with 105 DC and 50 1.8G. The 105 DC is wonderful lens...one of the best AF lens for lens for portraits, and while I'd like to use it with Fuji it just looks too awkward on that camera and defeats the purpose of going small, and that's why I started an extensive research on Leica lenses. I think I made up my mind on the latest Elmarit-M 90 E46. However, I couldn't find any comparison with Nikon's top lenses. Anyone who owns or have used both of these lenses, how do rate their performances? I'm not talking about the color signature or the bokeh...I understand that it's a matter of preference but how do their technical qualities measure up? Resolution....sharpness....etc

Thanks in advance

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[rickp13]

have a look at this thread by ada.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/45854-praise-mandler-lenses.html

 

i think you'll like the review of the TE 2.8. maybe it's for you?

 

good luck

 

rick

 

ps i had and greatly enjoyed the 105 DC. today, i use a 105 2.5 nikkor P non-AI and 75 summilux.

[loriolus]

Thanks for the link! Very informative.

[stephan_w]

I had both, sold the 105 DC (for a new 85/1.4 AFS which I prefer and which is, IMHO, the far better lens).

 

The Elmarit is almost free of CA, which the 105 DC isn't at large apertures, it renders colors much better than the Nikon, which is sharp, but sometimes tend to be harsh.

 

The Elmarit 90 is a marvelous lens, really. Sharp, beautiful colors and rendering, I even prefer it over the the Cron 90 ASPH. You cannot go wrong with it, and in the case you don't like it you can resell it easily.

[michali]

I had both, sold the 105 DC (for a new 85/1.4 AFS which I prefer and which is, IMHO, the far better lens).

 

The Elmarit is almost free of CA, which the 105 DC isn't at large apertures, it renders colors much better than the Nikon, which is sharp, but sometimes tend to be harsh.

 

The Elmarit 90 is a marvelous lens, really. Sharp, beautiful colors and rendering, I even prefer it over the the Cron 90 ASPH. You cannot go wrong with it, and in the case you don't like it you can resell it easily.

 

That's been my experience as well with this lens. I fully agree with you!

[philipus]

+1 The Elmarit-M is a great lens. I don't use mine as much as my other lenses but I am consistenly happy with the results it gives (on film; I don't shoot digital) when I do use it.

[Printmaker]

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+1 The Elmarit-M is a great lens. I don't use mine as much as my other lenses but I am consistenly happy with the results it gives (on film; I don't shoot digital) when I do use it.

 

+1 more. The 105 DC was (I sold mine) a nice lens but the defocus effect only worked at 2.8 to 4.5 and even then was not that useful. On the other hand, my 90 Elmarit M is a constant and trusted companion. My 35 Summicron sees more camera time but I wouldn't go anywhere without my 90.

[kanzlr]

the 105 DC, while being a superb lens in its own right, is also much bigger than the M solutions.

I can HIGHLY recommend the Konica M-Hexanon 90/2.8. I sold my last generation Elmarit-M because I preferred the Konica.