Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 7:52 PM +0000 12/20/99, Roger Underwood wrote: >Hi luggers, > >Just looking for views on whether to get the new APO f2/90 Summicron >or the f2.8 /90 Elmarit when I buy my new lens for my M6 next month. > >I don't expect to use the extra stop all that often, except possibly >for the reduced depth of field. The weight advantage of the Elmarit >is also in its favour as I expect to use the 90mm out and about. >Another factor, small but difficult to ignore, is that I can get it >in silver chrome to match my Leica. I'm also wary about buying a >relatively new product. The reported stiffness after pressing the >Summicron's focusing ring is a bit off-putting. > >The main question is which is the better lens? Does the the >Summicron as a later lens offer better resolution and contrast at 2.8 >than the Elmarit? From reading Erwin's test this would appear to be >so. But would it be so apparent in practise that I need to bring it >into account. I should say that I will be using the lens for >enlargements up to 20 x 16. > >Comments would be welcome. Here they come. If you are considering the E-90 in chrome, your weight advantage goes the other way. The f/2 would be lighter. The f/2 has effectively no vignetting, which is optically one of its main advantages over the E-90 and the previous f/2. There seems to be less flare with the f/2. The f/2 has a slightly greater diameter, but essentially the same length. Mine doesn't bind at all, and I now grip it tightly lest I whack it like I did another new lens. I doubt that you will notice a lot of difference in resolution or contrast in most shooting circumstances, but you _will_ have one more f-stop with the Apo-Asph to not worry about. It's probably more a matter of money than anything else. You can pick up a clean used chrome E-90 for hardly more than half the price of the Apo-90, and you won't find one of those used in the next while. * Henning J. Wulff /|\ Wulff Photography & Design /###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com |[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com