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The Summilux has a great rendering even stopped down.

 

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The Lux 80 on a m43 body (G70 in this case)

 

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Some more shots here with the Summilux-R 1:1,4/80mm

 

On film with R8 and digital with Leica M240. 

 

Leica R8, Summilux-R 1:1,4/80mm, Kodak GOLD 200

14375979842_e4885454b3_b.jpg

 

Leica M (Typ 240), Summilux-R 1:1,4/80mm

18269854983_178e89df73_b.jpg

 

Leica M (Typ 240), Summilux-R 1:1,4/80mm

18371611243_38bc524ec5_b.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well after torturing myself to death on this subject, I finally broke down and bought the Leica Sumicron-R 90mm E-55. I got it from KEH and I asked for the most recent edition they had, so according to the serial number, the lens I got was maufacturered in 1984, not that old relatively speaking.  It has a one-piece lens hood and it looks in excellent condition (it was rated E+). The glass is perfect and the lens turns perfectly as smooth as silk!  It looks like a brand new lens.  I paid $800 U.S. I could have gotten a "bargain" copy for $400 but I figured that an excellent copy won't really go down in value much and the bargain copies they have can have damage to the glass and usually has scratches and chips in the metal.  I have ordered lenses that have been other people's problems and after doing that a few times, I found it not worth the frustration, so for $800 for what used to be a $4000 lens, this is a good deal.  Besides, it's a lot newer than most of my other Leica lenses I have that I spent a lot more for!

 

Thanks for all of your help in deciding which lens to get.  I really liked the idea of getting the 80mm Summilux, but the price was way out of my price range for now after buying an Elmarit 28mm F/2.8 only a few months ago.  The 90mm Elmarit I heard too many people say that the colors were "muddy" looking, even though it was very sharp.  I had some non-commercial places offer me the lens, saying that it was a V2, or E-55, only to find out by the serial number that it was a V-1 lens, which is not only older and doesn't have the coatings, but also is heavier than the E-55. 

 

I already have a couple of good macro lenses so I didn't need the 60mm and I heard the good and the bad about the Leica 60mm.  It became clear that the 90mm Summicron was a good choice and the fact that I didn't have to look for a version 1 and version 2 made it easy as well.  I only had to make sure that I got an E-55 w/in the single class. 

Thanks again and I'll post some photos (if I'm allowed here).

Bill

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The Elmarit's are all coated, the coating might be different though...

 

In general the Summicron-R 90mm is a great lens, but it's not as 'special' as the APO-Summicron-R 90 or the Summilux-R 80. 

 

It is however a great lens (don't get me wrong)!

 

Have fun, and yes show us some pictures! 

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  • 1 month later...

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The Vario-Elmar-R 1:4/80-200 is an amazing lens indeed! 

 

 

 

I recently purchased the 80-200 R, which took the photo below. I am still wondering about acquiring the 80 R 1.4, however, and the photos posted here have only added more to my confusion!  

Rob

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I have had elmarit r 90 first version , summilux r80 , summicron M 90 III. The only one I sold is the elmarit, it was very crispy but a little too hard for my taste.

Here an example taken with SL body between f1,4 and 2 , I dont remember exactly. I like a lot summilux  80, but I have had very very satisfactory risults even with the summicron M.

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I have had elmarit r 90 first version , summilux r80 , summicron M 90 III. The only one I sold is the elmarit, it was very crispy but a little too hard for my taste.

Here an example taken with SL body between f1,4 and 2 , I dont remember exactly. I like a lot summilux  80, but I have had very very satisfactory risults even with the summicron M.

 

 

I have the SL and 24-90, an old 135 f4 elmar and a 90 f2 Asph APO but wanted to try one of Mandler's lenses, so am very much looking forward to receiving the 80 1.4. Thank you for posting. (Beautiful post). Would love to see more 80 1.4 shots if it is not too inconvenient, and/or from anyone else who might be reading. 

Thanks,

Rob

Edited by ropo54
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I purchased a Leicaflex and the 50mm Summicron R and 90mm Elmarit R lenses (both version 1, of course) in 1966.  I found both of them to be superb.  My impressions were validated by resolution tests that I conducted personally, various published lens test in photo magazines, and MTF results for both as printed by Erwin Puts in Leica pocket Book 7th edition.  Since this topic is about the short telephoto lenses, I will comment in detail on the 90mm Elmarit R lens.

 

The 90 has negligible distortion of only 0.2 % and vignetting of 0.7 stops, focuses to 28 inches 1:6 magnification, and with the Elpro attachment gets you to 1:3 with no exposure penalty.  The second version is shorter but has 1% distortion, 0.9 stops vignetting, and is slightly behind the first version in the MTF graphs except in the far corners, probably because is has a flatter field than the first version.    It is super sharp and brilliant, has great balance, and looks good on the camera!  It is my all time favorite lens, with the 400mm f6.8 Telyt (i.e., most fun) coming in second.  Since I am an amateur archaeologist, it has served me perfectly for artifact pictures, on-site closeups, and people pictures.  It has also served me well for vacation scenics in the western USA; nature close-ups of flowers, insects, and mushrooms; and family portraits.  To sum up, it is the perfect all-purpose lens!

 

I have not used the 80mm, 90mm Elmarit version 2 and 90mm Summicron lenses but have and do use the 100mm f4 macro Elmar on the focusing bellows, the 100mm Macro APO Elmarit and the 135mm Elmarit lenses.  For portraits I recommend 90mm Elmarit version 1and the 135 Elmarit lens since it renders the softer look at f2.8 that many of you praise for portraits,and is sharp and brilliant stopped down.  It is also affordable and readily available on the internet. 

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The R 1.4/80 is an excellent portrait lens - even if it is no apo lens. (maybe better so for portrait)

The R 2/90 is my preferred general lens. Always very nice results - later came even an apo version, but I newer bought it (the ordinary was good enough for me and I bought the macro instead).

The R 2.8/100 is my all time favorite - it is perfect at all distances and at all apertures. But it is bigger than the R 90 (and sometimes maybe too sharp for portraits).

The R 2.8/135 is a weak lens compared to the others - but I like the 135mm. It is classic, and a very nice focal length. Slightly closed down it is excellent.

It is cheap to get - but be careful, some lenses tend to separate (in the front element).

 

Now with the SL I use the 90-280 much more often (OIS is a big improvement in difficult circumstances).

It will be interesting to compare with the coming SL 90. According to Karbe it should also have a very narrow depth of field (almost like the 1.4/80) and it will be apo corrected - I wonder if I will like that for portrait or not.

(First comes the SL 75, but I have no budget for that. But it could be interesting for the SL user - sitting between the 50 and 90. And probably much smaller and with a good close focusing distance - compared to the SL 50)

Edited by steppenw0lf
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R 80 1.4

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R 80 1.4

 

Knitter's hands

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Knitter's hands (2)

 

The white "spots" are a watch band and a ring as her hands were moving. There is also a white sheet of paper on the right side of the photo.

 

 

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  • 7 months later...

I also have a Zeiss 100mm Makro F/2, but I'm not sure if it's a good portrait lens and because of CA, I don't feel comfortable about using it for professional work.

 

The Zeiss Makro-Planar 100mm f2 is a pretty decent lens for portraiture. Its especially great for children with a one digit age and still flawless skin.

 

Bokeh is always a matter of taste. To me the Bokeh of the Makro-Planar looks too neutral and boring. I prefer more interesting Bokeh, like from a Nikkor AF 105mm f2 DC or a Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f1.0.

 

CAs dont really bother me but I'm no pro.

 

 

Depends on the type of portrait you take, Elmarit-R 1:2.8/90 is sharper and suitable for taking man or aged people, while taking portrait photo of young girl or woman the Summilux-R 1:1.4/80 is more suitable because of softer rendition.

 

I would on the contrary rather recomment a soft focus lens and/or a ring light for old people. At least in my experience they usually dont like to see their wrinkles too clearly.

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I come back to this thread now and then and post a few new pictures I've taken with the Summilux-R 1:1.4/80mm

 

Here are a few more,

 

All Leica R8 and Kodak Portra 160.

 

34660131910_7aaba6e96b_k.jpg

 

34666109210_6934f6d5a8_k.jpg

 

35013648056_2b132cbafb_k.jpg

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