Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Tried the 90mm pre-asph summicron on my M8 for the first time yesterday. The effect is very nice, but it really is hard to focus - I think I'll be looking out for a magnifier.

 

example: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1120/917417279_205e8e33be_b.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

of a gorgeous model

the magnifier helps a great deal with focusing ...I leave mine all almost all the time as I find it helps with all but wide angle lenses > than 28 mm focal length ...the Leica version is more expensive (duh) but is beautifully made & comes with a nifty storage case that fits on the camera strap ...I believe I paid $249 for it

the 90 'cron pre-ASPH comes in different versions ...mine is a later type II made in Canada ...it has lovely color rendition, detail and produces sweet bokeh, though I think this no big trick for a lens of this focal length

I wonder which 90 'cron you used

also I wonder where you found such a fine model :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

I leave my (HK) magnifier on one body all the time, and that is the body I use the longer focal lengths on. I use the shorter focal lengths on the other one.

 

The HK does indeed have an adjustable diopter, but be aware that it's done by 'turning', and mine does seem to turn on it's own from time to time, meaning that sometimes I wonder why I can't get good focus, and then I have to mess around with it to get it back to where I have it. I am thinking about going back to the Leica model for that very reason. However, my last Leica version 'fell apart' and 'scattered', meaning I lost all the optics from it, so that was more than a little waste of money.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree that the late 'spherical' 90 'cron does well on the M8. Now, many have missed that this version is actually # 3.

 

The first 90 'cron (code SOOZI) was launched in 1957 and discontinued in '79. This was the one with the strange 'Brancusi' clamp-on hood. It was a classical long-focus double Gaussian design; the long barrel and the liberal use of brass and stell made for a weight of upward 700 grams. The second version (SEEOF) had a telescoping hood. Apart from that, it looked much the same, and the general optical layout was the same. It was recomputed however, and while the SOOZI was noted for its softness, especially wide open, the successor turned in a creditable performance.

 

But it was still very heavy. Tom Abrahamson tells how one SEEOF once tore out a strap lug on a M3 he was carrying, took a nose dive and mauled his big toe (he was wearing sandals). The toe healed, but the hood changed into a piece of free-form sculpture and could not be collapsed henceforth ... The weight, bulk and high cost made both versions slow sellers. Press photogs (or rather their employers) were pretty well the only buyers. The big and steady seller (1958–1974) was the 90mm Elmarit – also a nice piece of work.

 

The last 'spherical' version (optically actually v. 3) was designed in Midland, Canada, and in production in 1980–1998. This is a tele design with a handier weight of 440 g (on my scales). Performance is much like the SEEOF at f:2 and quite a bit sharper stopped down. At 5.6 on a M8 you will have fine performance indeed. The APO-ASPH will have a more aggressive 'bite'. Like it or not. It does also weigh in at 60 g more.

 

The old man from the Age of the ELRIM

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The last 'spherical' version (optically actually v. 3) was designed in Midland, Canada, and in production in 1980–1998. This is a tele design with a handier weight of 440 g (on my scales). Performance is much like the SEEOF at f:2 and quite a bit sharper stopped down. At 5.6 on a M8 you will have fine performance indeed. The APO-ASPH will have a more aggressive 'bite'. Like it or not. It does also weigh in at 60 g more.

 

The old man from the Age of the ELRIM

 

That is indeed the version I have. It's quite heavy, and to be honest didn't really get much use on my film M's because I didn't like carrying it around. I'm planning on doing more portraiture with the M8 in future, and it seems quite good for that with the effective 120 fov - assuming I can get the focussing right ;)

Link to post
Share on other sites

My Leica magnifier also fell apart and scattered so I don't feel quite as foolish now I know the same thing happened to you Dave. One moment I could focus the next I thought my camera had suffered a nervous breakdown.

Sorry if this is taking the thread in a different direction.

Tom

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...