ricomortus Posted November 9, 2016 Share #1  Posted November 9, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello everyone,  I am planning on purchasing a 90mm summicron apo asph soon, but am torn on whether or not I need to order the viewfinder magnifier. Unfortunately, the store in my country does not have any of the magnifier viewfinders in stock, therefore, I am unable to try it. I've been reading a lot in terms of how hard it is to focus the 90mm Summicron wide open and that a magnifier is absolutely necessary.  What I wanted to ask is how critical the viewfinder magnifier is for the 90mm summicron APO ASPH? 1.25 or 1.4x? I do not wear glasses.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I have a M-P 240, 21 Super Elmar, 35 Summilux, and 50 Summilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 9, 2016 Posted November 9, 2016 Hi ricomortus, Take a look here 90mm Summicron APO ASPH- To magnify or not?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Exodies Posted November 9, 2016 Share #2 Â Posted November 9, 2016 I don't think others experience will apply to you as some don't need a magnifier and some do. As you can't try with the magnifier, see how you get on without it but keep in mind that it takes a while to learn to focus a 90mm (well, it did me). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlinman Posted November 9, 2016 Share #3 Â Posted November 9, 2016 For me the EVF works better than the magnifiers. Might also be nice for the 21. Â Â Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkR440 Posted November 9, 2016 Share #4  Posted November 9, 2016 I had a problem with the EVF and the 90mm on f2.  The highlighted area that should be focused was bigger than the area that was actually focused, especially with 1:1 zoom. If you zoom in with 5x for example it is getting more reliable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted November 9, 2016 Share #5 Â Posted November 9, 2016 I can hit focus with this lens wide open, but not quickly, and only after a bit of care. I got the x1.4 but stopped using it after a while. The magnification reduces the brightness slightly and, in dim light for portraits with flash, for which I was using it, the overall improvement in focusing accuracy wasn't obvious. The EVF helps, but only if the subject is reasonably static. My various solutions, which aren't for everyone, are: - shoot stopped down to f/4 for portraits in difficult lighting. - use the EVF for static subjects in good light. - use the SL and 24-90SL for most portraits (my current solution). - consider the Summicron 90SL when it comes out, for wide-open portraits. Â So my magnifier is sitting unused in a drawer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted November 9, 2016 Share #6 Â Posted November 9, 2016 I tested a magnifier for my M262 but didn't find it helpful. Obviously if you have live view then stick with it. The 90 needs fast shutters speeds for sharp results, of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmen Posted November 9, 2016 Share #7 Â Posted November 9, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Focusing is as easy as any lens. It's just the limited depth that makes focus accuracy more critical. The range finder stays the same. I personally find slightly adjusting my own position back or forth the easiest for the final adjustment; easier than carefully rotating the ring on the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 9, 2016 Share #8 Â Posted November 9, 2016 Not really. I would say this is the hardest M lens to focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest camera man Posted November 9, 2016 Share #9 Â Posted November 9, 2016 Well I find the 135 apo the hardest M lens to focus. That is of course on the 0.72 view finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted November 9, 2016 Share #10 Â Posted November 9, 2016 135/3.4 lenses are out of the accuracy range of 0.68x & 0.72x rangefinders w/o magnifier. 90/2 lenses are not but DoF is very thin at full aperture there so the least focus ring movement can cause optical blur. So much so that the lens is sharper at f/2 and focus throw is shorter on the 90/2 apo. Better use an EVF with image magnification to nail focus at f/2 with this lens. Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 9, 2016 Share #11 Â Posted November 9, 2016 Yes, theoretically the 135/3.4 is out -just-, but the calculation includes the average acuity of the human eye, which means that it can be focused accurately by about half the users. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted November 9, 2016 Share #12  Posted November 9, 2016 Nice theory but the average 0.0003 radian value is not for old blokes like you my friend . At 0.0004 rd better shoot at f/4 or f/5.6 for sharp results w/o magnifier on the M240's rangefinder. Edit: Excerpt of the M240's instructions: « Despite the high precision of the rangefinder on the Leica M, exact focusing with 135mm lenses with an open aperture cannot be guaranteed due to the very low depth of field. Therefore, stopping down by at least 2 stops is recommended » Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted November 9, 2016 Share #13 Â Posted November 9, 2016 I like them both, the 1.25 and the 1.40. The 1.25 is from Hongkong and is a bit sharp in touch, the 1.40 is a bit long when stowing in your bag. These are minor points, but few things are not noticed by the human brain. But, I don't work with an M240 but with an M9 and am not attracted to an EVF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 9, 2016 Share #14 Â Posted November 9, 2016 Simple. Â Try the camera without. Â If needed, order both from a reputable dealer and keep what works and return what doesn't (possibly both). Â Â Remember that magnifiers will magnify any vision problems, so be sure you're eyes are naturally suited for, or corrected for, RF viewing (2m virtual distance to focus patch). Â Â As noted in the FAQ, magnifiers may introduce other issues, e.g., loss of contrast, but individual eyes and preferences vary. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertknappmd Posted November 9, 2016 Share #15  Posted November 9, 2016 I use the 1.25 and after a learning curve, have been very successful. Live view is even better IMHO... Albert   Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricomortus Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share #16 Â Posted November 10, 2016 Dear everyone, Â Thank you very much for your input, it is greatly appreciated. I had a chance to go try out the lens today and while the deal was fantastic, I did not realize that there was no focus tab on the lens! I found the lens to be much slower in terms of focusing and almost an alienating feeling without the focus tab! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted November 10, 2016 Share #17 Â Posted November 10, 2016 You can get a focus tab to put on if you feel the need. It would be a great pity to not use such a great lens just because it hasn't got a focus tab. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted November 10, 2016 Share #18 Â Posted November 10, 2016 The focus throw would be even shorter with a focus tab i suspect. Not that good to nail focus. BTW no Summicron 90 has even had a focus tab if memory serves. My v2, v3 and apo copies don't have one at least. Same for Elmarit 90/2.8 v1 & v2, "thin" Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8, Elmar 90/4 collaps and Elmar 90/4 macro. Makes me wonder if i have ever used a tabbed 90. I believe not but i may be wrong. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duoenboge Posted November 10, 2016 Share #19  Posted November 10, 2016 the new Scron90 is extremely hard to focus. IMHO the design is not ergonomic. The focus ring is to small (diameter+width) and the huge diaphragm ring is to close. I solve the Problem with a follow focus ring. It looks horrible but it works. EVF is in my opinion for this lens obligatory. I´m very happy with the collapsible Macro-Elmar 4/90. Sharp, small, light weight, beautifully and perfect in practice. Regards! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted November 10, 2016 Share #20 Â Posted November 10, 2016 I don't think it's that extreme, I find the 75Summilux actually harder to focus really right. Both lenses are double worth the effort and it really works with a 1.40 loupe. If you use a ThumbsUp you have more rest and the left hand has no problems catching the focus ring, you just have to adapt to it. Ergonomic? Which Karbe lens is really ergonomic to the M actually? I can only think of the APO Summicron 50 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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