Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M f/2.0 ASPH

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6 reviews 5 of 5  
 
Description
Apochromatic colour correction and an aspherical lens surface are combined for the first time in this lens of this type. Of its five individual elements, two are made of high-refraction glass, while t...
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Reviews 1 - 5   (6 Reviews Total)     Next 5

Review Date
July 15, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

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Reviewed by
Christian Nagel , Expert

Price Paid
$500.00 at Ebay USA

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Outdoor

Summary
I got this lens at Ebay USA for 500 USD !!!! The bargain of my life !
Before this one, I used the M 2.8/90, which is also excellent and a little bit more lightweight. I sold this lens after aquiring the Apo 2/90. This lens is simply outstanding. Crisp, sharp, bright and not too heavy. Superb contrast, smooth focussing and aperture. Same level as the fabulous Apo-Macro-Elmarit R 2,8/100.

Strengths
Mechanics, perfect optics from f/2 on !

Weaknesses
None. The lens is worth every penny (according to the official price)!

Similar Products Used
Elmarit-M 2,8/90, Apo-Macro-Elmarit R 2,8/100, Apo-Vario-Elmarit 2,8/70-180

Customer Service
Excellent

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Review Date
January 20, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

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Reviewed by
Dave_in_HK , Casual , from Hong Kong

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Other

Summary
Astonishingly sharp, almost too sharp for portrait work. This lens will mercilessly exaggerate every wrinkle, pore, pockmark, and wayward strand of hair on your subject, and at wider apertures your focal plane had better be dead on because even small errors will be obvious. Great if you want all that detail, but you'll need a soft focus filter to flatter your subject. Really shines in outdoor work where distances are greater and light levels let you stop down for DoF.

I give the lens 4 stars for value - the stiff price merits 2 stars off, but give 1 back because resale value will hold up over time.

Lens build is great, solid but not heavy, mounted balance OK. Focus ring was a bit stiff on mine, which is fine for me since I don't want my focal plane wandering. Aperture ring had a little bit of play but nothing for concern.

Strengths
* So sharp you'll need eye protection to look at your negs
* Solid build & good heft

Weaknesses
* Too sharp for glamor work (no kidding)
* Price, of course

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Review Date
November 11, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

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Reviewed by
breglumasi , Expert , from Italy

Price Paid
$1950.00 at Turin - Italy

Photography Experience
6-10 years , People

Summary
It is outstanding. I've never believed my eyes for what I 've seen, ex. with slides.
No comparison is possible with other lenses. At full aperture is splendid and so at 5,6. You can not miss it in your stable.

Strengths
It is an apo and an aspherical, what's more?

Weaknesses
The price, of course. But quality has its own price.

Similar Products Used
contax

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Review Date
May 20, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

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5.00 of 5, 2 votes

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Reviewed by
Edward S , Expert , from Miami

Price Paid
$1290.00 at Teng , Hong Kong

Photography Experience
21+ years , People

Summary
If you travel with a Leica, then this should be in your bag. It is a great lens to get in tight with people and feels better balanced, while being lighter than the 75/1.4. Soft background at 2.0 with great bokeh, sharpness and saturation. Sharpness is excellent +++++++. The colors saturation that you get with this Leica APO is really special. When compared to anything else (other than the 75/1.4) , there really is no comparison. I will use the 75/1.4 for locally and take this one when I travel because of its lighter weight and better balanced on my M6. However, this is not to degrade in any way the 75mm/1.4 lens which is so appealing in its fingerprint. Overall, both lenses are to die for, with different characteristics with the 75 having that extra f stop and a little better bokeh (softer and cadence of out of focus area)in my judgement. In my opinion there is nothing in the 35mm universe that touches either lens if you are looking for the shot of a lifetime. When you put these results up against other lenses at the same place and time, then you will understand my position. You cannot go wrong with either the 75mm or the 90 APO. Both will retain their value, because of their inherent quality.

Strengths
Sharpness, color saturation

Weaknesses
None

Similar Products Used
Nikon 105/1.5, Minolta 100 macro, Leica 75mm/1.4

Customer Service
none

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Review Date
November 15, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

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Reviewed by
David Kernaghan , Professional , from Toronto

Photography Experience
21+ years , Fine Art

Summary
This is a lens without peer, a lens that sets the standard for all other medium telephotos. I know of no other lens in this range that can compete with the APO at f2.0, and f2.8. When you factor in the lack of vibration from a M series body, this lens gives wide open performance that no other high speed telephoto can match. I have owned all of the similar product lenses, and only the 90 Elmarit gives similar performance at f5.6 or f8.0, but if you need true APO performance at wide apertures, there is only one choice. Stunning results on Kodachrome.

Strengths
Exceptional resolution, colour fidelity, and flatness of field. Nice compact size, resonable weight, and state of the art wide aperture performance. A great shooting combination with any M series body.

Weaknesses
Not cheap by any standards.

Similar Products Used
90 2.8 Elmarit-R, Nikkor 105 2.5, Contax 85 2.8.

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