90 summicron apo SL vs. 90 summicron apo M vs 90 summicron M

[loverofthelight]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi!

Currently I have 90 summicron M (1982-1998). I am thinking to switch to an apo version. I have used SL 90 apo and it was amazing, sharpness was great, and rendering / general feel of the photo also, a bit more clinical than 90 M that I have, but still photos had a great feeling. But the lens is quite expensive. So I am also looking maybe to upgrade to 90 apo M. Is it worth the upgrade? Does anyone have experiences first hand with comparing those lenses? I will be using it with SL3 mostly. 

 

Many thanks.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[LeicaR10]

Loverofthelight,   To help answer your question about the M 90 Apo Summicron vs the SL 90 Apo Summicron, IMO it will get down to how you wish to render the content of your photograph.  The SL 90 Apo along with all the SL Apo primes are in a class unto themselves for color, contrast, lack of CA and resolution.  The M 90 Apo Summicron is an excellent lens as well.  I owned both at one time, but found the SL 90 Apo my preferred choice of lenses when it comes to primes.  It gets down to your personal taste, how you wish to use the lens and of course wallet expenditure.  You can find mint SL 90 Apo Summicrons for the same price as a used M 90 Apo Summicron.  I suggest you take a look at these two links that might help you decide what works best for you.  r/ Mark

Try M 90 Apo Summicron:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=388&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try SL 90 Apo Summicron:  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=1386&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

If the links aren't working correctly the Leica lens website:  www.onfotolife.com 

Edited July 21, 2024 by LeicaR10

[loverofthelight]

Great, many thanks for your answer!

Would love to see, if anyone does have comparison of those three lenses in the same / similar situation. 

[ImmerDraussen]

I used the Summicron you mentioned on my analog M6 (many years ago). I upgraded to the Apo version (still in analog times). The lens is better in all respects. Later, when the SL came out, still the results are marvelous. Even non Leica fanboys immediately recognize pictures taken with this lens, due to its colour rendering. So nothing wrong with this route.

But, the lens shines most wide open. On a SL3 with its high resolution, any minor defocussing destroys the picture. So if you move your body just a few millimeter between focussing and shooting, it will become visible. 
 

I have the SL3 quite new and used it with the SL Apo 90mm. Results are just incredible. So, if you ask me, go for the SL version.

Andreas

[loverofthelight]

Thank you for your opinion, I appreciate it! 

[JTLeica]

I currently own the APO 90 M and APO 90 SL, and used to own a 90 Summicron (Mandler).

They are all very different, and the two 90 APO lenses are not similar at all. Think of the 90 APO M as halfway between the APO SL and Mandler designed 90 that you own.

The 90 APO M isnt razor sharp wide open, but at F2.8 it is, some love that as you kinda get two lenses in one. F2 great for softer subjects like people, F2.8 for landscapes and other details. The SL APO is really in a totally different league to the M lens, especially when shot at F2.

I am actually going to sell my 90 APO M lens, message me if interested. 

[Sohail]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

90 APO SL
Spectacular lens

[Dr. G]

1 hour ago, Sohail said:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

90 APO SL
Spectacular lens

It is, but I still prefer the rendering of the 75 APO for portraits.  FWIW, I think both are exceptional, it just comes down to personal preference.  

[Sohail]

7 hours ago, Dr. G said:

It is, but I still prefer the rendering of the 75 APO for portraits.  FWIW, I think both are exceptional, it just comes down to personal preference.  

You mean the focal length? More compressed? The rendering is I'd say the same.

Edited July 23, 2024 by Sohail

[Dr. G]

9 hours ago, Sohail said:

You mean the focal length? More compressed? The rendering is I'd say the same.

The DOF is slightly deeper with the 75 wide open.  Most people wouldn't notice it.  I also like the working distance a little better.  

Edited July 23, 2024 by Dr. G

[Stuart Richardson]

On 7/20/2024 at 10:02 PM, loverofthelight said:

Hi!

Currently I have 90 summicron M (1982-1998). I am thinking to switch to an apo version. I have used SL 90 apo and it was amazing, sharpness was great, and rendering / general feel of the photo also, a bit more clinical than 90 M that I have, but still photos had a great feeling. But the lens is quite expensive. So I am also looking maybe to upgrade to 90 apo M. Is it worth the upgrade? Does anyone have experiences first hand with comparing those lenses? I will be using it with SL3 mostly. 

 

Many thanks.

If you have had the 90mm APO SL, then you know what it is like. I have the 90mm APO Summicron M and have found it to be sharper than the 90-280mm APO Zoom, which means it is a very sharp lens. I think if your goal also is to use it on an M camera, then I think getting the 90mm APO Summicron M can kill two birds with one stone for you.

However, I also have an slightly different recommendation for you. Consider the 105mm Sigma 2.8 APO Macro lens. In my experience, its sharpness and freedom from aberration are similar to the 50mm APO SL and 35mm APO SL. It is an AF lens, which for me at least makes a big difference on the SL cameras. Much faster in use. Additionally, it is a 1 to 1 macro lens with great utility on that front. It costs about a third new what a used 90mm Leica of either variety.

I don't really do a lot of portraits on the SL2, so I cannot say how the rendering is for those pictures, but the bokeh I have seen has been quite smooth and pleasing. It does not have bokeh fringing that I have noticed.

Anyway, if you are more concerned with performance than brand, it could be a good way forward. And it is cheap enough that you can also keep your 90mm Summicron for when you want a more classic rendering.

[robb]

I had the 90 m apo and used it on the sl2.

added the SL 90 apo and sold the m version shortly thereafter.  Both similar size but SL lens was head and shoulders better.  Also better than my 90-280 which is also a great one.

easy decision to let the M go.  And I had many nice images with it.  But the weatherproofing and accurate AF along with the extra resolution, clarity of colors, etc made it easy to put that extra money toward another apo SL lens.

Robb

[JTLeica]

4 hours ago, robb said:

I had the 90 m apo and used it on the sl2.

added the SL 90 apo and sold the m version shortly thereafter.  Both similar size but SL lens was head and shoulders better.  Also better than my 90-280 which is also a great one.

easy decision to let the M go.  And I had many nice images with it.  But the weatherproofing and accurate AF along with the extra resolution, clarity of colors, etc made it easy to put that extra money toward another apo SL lens.

Robb

Agree wholeheartedly, one aspect of the M lens that is ‘better’ or different to the SL is that at F2 you do get a softer more smooth look which for portraits is just lovely

[Sohail]

Keep in mind the minimal focussing distances: the M is 1m. The SL 60cm. The difference is massive. Just on that alone, the M for me is a non-starter. 

 

Edited July 27, 2024 by Sohail

[S Maclean]

I have tried them all and kept the pre aspherical mandler 90.  The 90 apo m is a perfect lens, image and handling is incredible but, for my use, I needed more the character of the mandler than the perfection of the APO.  I got a macro Elmar m 90 for more critical use, and that satisfies me completely. It is also a joy to walk and travel with.

 

The SL APO, like all the SL APO's, is a whole other can of worms.  If you have the SL system, then, to me, it makes perfect sense to keep the Mandler M and get the APO on the SL.  Then you really have the best of all worlds.  A character, soft but accurate 90, that you can use manually on either system.  And a marvel that renders almost like a summilux becasue of the instance macro contrast, but still remains elegant.

In my case, I got the 75 APO instead of the SL because I had a whole there. Having the outstanding Voigtlander 75 1.5 M lens and the other 90's, I wanted a perfect 75 with autofocus.  I may still get the 90 APO SL one day but, for now, I have the 35,50 and 75 plus the 24-90 so I need to cool it a little.