Is mechanical and build quality of original chrome Summicron 90 similar to 50 Summicron Rigid and DR?

[Dvpnyc]

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I am in the market for the early 1960s silver chrome Summicron 90mm. I assume they are built to the same high standards as the 50mm Summicrons of the 1950s / 1960s? I have both the Rigid and DR and their mechanical and build quality are second to none. Hoping the 90 Summicron in silver chrome has a similar quality feel - please share your opinions. i would really appreciate it. 

[Pyrogallol]

In my opinion, Yes.

I used one a lot in the 70’s for studio portraits and never had a problem or complaint about it.

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Edited October 15, 2019 by Pyrogallol

[Musotographer]

Yes - I have all three and the 90 feels very similar to the two 50s, i.e. rock solid and superbly built. Three of my favourites. Even the construction of the telescopic hood alone gives me pleasure every time I use it. The 90 is quite big and heavy; it's not for carrying around all day, but for specific purposes it's a lovely lens. Here wide open on the CCD Monochrom:

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Edited October 15, 2019 by Musotographer

[Dvpnyc]

Dear Pyrogallol and Musotagrapher - thank you both for your insights and lovely pictures- -this is the type of feedback I was looking for. Regards,
Dimitry 

[luigi bertolotti]

A someway different view from me : you cleraly speak of "mechanical and build quality"  ,  and the "feel" in Handling.  As an owner of the same Summicron 50 couple as yours (1st rigid and DR ) and a chrome Summicron BM (same as Pyrogallols item, not the very first with detachable hood) , my opinion is that the quality of the 50 is really second to none in terms of durability : the Cron 50 is ROCK solid, even in finishing… the 90 is more prone to a certain degree of wear by usage… a certain disposition to wobbling of some of the movements : this can be  justified by its bigger size… long helicoid due to long focus throw…. long diaphragm  course… and of course, age takes its   toll, so that my other chrome Summicron 90 (1995 - last  batch of silver items) looks definitely a better build than  his father (1959)  : this is someway obvious… but I also have a Summicron 50 of 1981 : it looks clearly "younger" than my Cron1st (1960) but is NOT a better build, by sure.  So… if you like to have old chromes (as me (*) ) , get an old Summicron 90...… it is FINE… but don't expect to admire in it the legendary feel of the Summicron 50 1st rigid (btw - the retrractable is also a fine build…) : in my opinion, the same feel on a "long chrome RF" can come only from the Summarex 85 : an older design, but the mechanical quality is impressive.

A 90 that really transmits a feel of solid build & mechanical quality is the first "dwarf" Tele Elmarit 90 (not difficult to find in chrome… ) : a small gem, fun to use for its compactness… with a hood that is much less pleasant to manage, but is better to use regularly)

 

(*) as for pure passion : an old chrome Summicron 90 is fine to be complemented with its Visoflex accessories : the short Mount ZOOEP, the extension ring OUEPO… I'd like to find also a lenshead with the f/stop preset facility…  

 

Edited October 15, 2019 by luigi bertolotti

[Dvpnyc]

Hi Luigi,

thanks for your comment and wonderful insights! I did some more research and it appears that the early 50 Summicrons were fully constructed of brass and the 90 summicron like the picture above were made out of aluminum, at least the outer body shell, clear or black plated. But that again, if Elcan used only brass for that large lens, the weight would be too great. It sounds like the v1 50s are indeed unique in the way they were constructed. 

I do have the first dwarf Tele Elmarit 90 in black with red numbers and enjoy it a lot but I am also looking for the f2 Cron to give me a shallower DOF and better low light ability for indoor evening candids, similar to the picture above (awesome shot). The fat dwarf will be my travel and carry-around 90.

I just picked an early 135 Elmar with same red numbers and that lens impressed me outdoors despite the challenges w focus on M10. A sample picture below is from that combo. Indoors at night that lens is close to useless for obvious reasons thus my desire to go for 90 Cron in addition  to the one I already have.

Best regards,

Dimitry 

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[Dvpnyc]

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The last paragraph should say Tele Elmar to be completely accurate. The 1965 version. 

 

 

 

[romanus53]

I have both 50 Summicrons mentioned above and had the Chrome 90 (now the black Version) and can say that they are all build well, the 90 Chrome is also brass inside while the black one is combined brass and alloy. the Chrome ones are all heavy, so I switched to the black one. One can say that they don't build lenses like These any more, look and feel the 50 DR or the collapsible 90 Elmar.

[budrichard]

I have a Chrome 90 in the box and an Asph 90 along with a 50 DR.

Build quality is second to none. In fact the Chrome 90 is the most beautiful lens Leitz/Leica ever built!

When I first got the 90 ASPH, I took side by side shots on Kodachrome (remember that?) and under 10X hand held, I could not tell the difference.

But the lens is heavy. I forget the weights but you should be able to find that easily.-Richard