90 cron and 90APO

[ccc yyy]

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how good is the 90 cron (specifically the last pre-asph version)?

and how different/better is the 90APO?

 

what are the pros of each vs. the other?

 

samples images taken with each version would be most helpful.

 

 

thanks in advance.

[lars_bergquist]

Unfortunately I cannot post pictures, for some reason. But here are the cons of the dear old 90 Summicron:

 

• Fairly low contrast wide open, producing a somewhat 'bland' image. Quick improvement on stopping down one or two f-stops.

 

• Fairly susceptible to flare with large light sources in the field, such as a bright cloudy sky behind a dark foreground.

 

And here the pros:

 

• Very good performance indeed from f:4, while wider apertures are quite useable. Excellent at 5.6 to 8.

 

• Some people like the 'smoothness' at f:2, especially as the definition of medium to fine detail is good.

 

• The used price ...

 

In other words, the APO is of course superior at f:2—2.8, where it may well have better resolution that your Mk. 1 Eyeball. (Can be a bit spooky at times!) It does also weigh in at about 50 grams greater weight. You can however have both lots of fun and get good work done with the plain Summicron.

 

The old man from the Age of the 9 cm Elmar

[telewatt]

how good is the 90 cron (specifically the last pre-asph version)?

and how different/better is the 90APO?

 

what are the pros of each vs. the other?

 

samples images taken with each version would be most helpful.

 

 

thanks in advance.

 

I think samples would not realy help you..a "Fingerprint" of the lens is not easily seen in "Test pictures".....

Lars told you the facts about the lenses...the 90Apo is sharp like a knife and and has very high kontrast......sometimes perfect for the picture and in other pictures "heavy" less could be better.. ..

depends what you like to do with the lens...I use it for Stage pictures and I like the flareness...that is the reason for me to use it....but the kontrast of the older was handsomer for this.....

 

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MP, 90mm APO

 

regards,

Jan

[rosuna]

Here you have some opinions about the old Summicron:

 

http://www.butzi.net/reviews/mlenses.htm

 

R.

[eudemian]

Whilst I agree with much of what Lars has specified I think he is harsh about the abilities of the 90 summicron at f2, it is far from bland and I have taken some potraits yesterday which I really feel capture my friends personailty.

 

As soon as I can post a picture I will do so.

 

Tom

[eudemian]

90 Summicron at f2, hope you think this shows the lens can produce worthwile portraits even at these focal lengths.

 

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[slevits]

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I agree with eudemian. I have the APO ASPH 90. I also used the old 90 Summicron for 20 years. It was my favorite lens and I used it for 95% of all the pictures I took.

 

I think it provides a wonderful portrait look. It may not be as technically advanced as the new lens, but it can certainly make beautiful 16 x 20 enlargements of almost anything. I have made 20 x 30 portrait enlargements with it, and the subjects were delighted with the pictures.

 

I would certainly buy one.

[telewatt]

I agree with eudemian. I have the APO ASPH 90. I also used the old 90 Summicron for 20 years. It was my favorite lens and I used it for 95% of all the pictures I took.

 

I think it provides a wonderful portrait look. It may not be as technically advanced as the new lens, but it can certainly make beautiful 16 x 20 enlargements of almost anything. I have made 20 x 30 portrait enlargements with it, and the subjects were delighted with the pictures.

 

I would certainly buy one.

 

..that is what I told..the older is a very good lens for portraits.. not to sharp and to much kontrast!..you get a wonderful image....

 

regards,

Jan

[bill vann]

i have the cron and really like it.

 

fwiw i've recently sold a 35 asph and gotten the pre, had the new 90 and prefer the old one. Have the 75 lux and an old tele-elmar

 

had the 21 pre and this is the only one so far where i prefer the asph.

 

just a question of how they paint or draw, some of the asphs seem too clinical to me.

 

bill

[telewatt]

i have the cron and really like it.

 

fwiw i've recently sold a 35 asph and gotten the pre, had the new 90 and prefer the old one. Have the 75 lux and an old tele-elmar

 

had the 21 pre and this is the only one so far where i prefer the asph.

 

just a question of how they paint or draw, some of the asphs seem too clinical to me.

 

bill

 

... :D ....

 

I did like the same for my work....I use the asph.lenses 21mm, 2/35mm 2/90mm AND I use the older 60's chrome lenses 21mm(super-angulon), 2/35mm, 2/50mm, 90mm...they are so different in the "Fingerprint" that I love both and work with both...

 

regards,

Jan

[doubice]

Just want to make sure that everybody is talking about the same pre-Asph Summicron. There were two optical versions - the original large unit from the early 1960's and the next smaller version from early 1980's. The smaller version looks very similar to the Asph.

 

I have the small pre-Asph version, am quite happy with it and am planning to keep it to use on the M8. I think I will actually prefer the softer signature of the non-Asph optics on the M8.

 

Jan

[ccc yyy]

thanks folks for each of your responses, views

and supporting information (including samples

and links).

i think there are enough data points here to steer

me in the right direction.

 

regards