🔴 Best Leica Lens for Portraits? | Leica Summicron 90mm f2 APO vs Pre-ASPH

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

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[@nelsonclub7722]

Ken Rockwell says it is the best portrait lens ever - not just Leica but best portrait lens - love him or hate I am inclined to agree - it is absolutley breathtaking - I thought it was the SL3 I glued it too - but it isn't - becuase I also glued it to an SL2 and an old M8 aand for nothing more than pure 'what'll it do Mister?" to a Hasselblad 907xCFV100c as well and it absolutley killed the newly released XCD 90mm F2.5 stone dead although ES only with the Leica on the front. The one I have came with the M8 - I bought it as it once belonged to Audrey Tautou as used in the Chanel Advert and given to her by Jean Pierre Jeunet who directed her in Amelie, A Very Long Engagement and the Chanel ad. I was keeping as part of a curiosity collection of cameras I have acquired over the years - things happen like this when you have been a Pro for 35 years+ but this lens is so good I am now using it - I wonder if anyone has any proper real world experience of the SL90mm by way of comparison? Thanks all - be good - be lucky.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for your great write up! Agree this lens must be top 2 for M portraits. 75 Lux is also nice but I’ve not compared side by side. I used mine on my M262 recently and it really delivered!

[@mz-wk4kb]

Hi Matt! Could you please talk about choosing between 75mm APO vs 90mm APO? 🎉

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Pick the FL that’s suits your working distance. I sold my 75 APO so I guess I prefer the 90.

[@smallbatchsessions6892]

I just purchased the Non apo Leica 90mm f/2.0 Summicron the 1970s later model like yours for under $500 US in Good quality condition. It’s in the mail coming now . Can’t wait and thanks for the information

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Congrats! Enjoy it

[@Kevb69]

Your presets have been a life saver recently, as you know I’ve got a good range of your presets and used the M8 and M9s on most of my images from the lakes. Thanks Matt

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes I’m lost without them too!

[@crissignori7482]

Just bought a new old stock 90mm apo aspherical ..... Can't wait for it to arrive.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Excellent!! Great find

[@crissignori7482]

Thanks Matt .... Next year I'm going to hunt for a digital body for it.@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

[@Narsuitus]

Decades ago, when I was shooting for a newspaper, I used the following lens combination for my Nikon 35mm SLR: 24mm f/2 35mm f/1.4 85mm f/1.8 (later replaced with the f/1.4 version) When I purchased my Leica 35mm rangefinder, based on my SLR experience, I purchased the following lenses: 21mm f/1.4 35mm f/1.4 90mm f/2 Even though I primarily used the 85mm and 90mm for reportage, I also used them for half-length and head & shoulder portraits. I have not found any better lenses.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Nice gear and yes a great perfomer!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

They keep on coming, great balanced, professional reviews. Your experience conspires to make it happen. Thanks one more time.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Sandy!

[@barthonhoff5547]

I am missing the 90mm Summarit lenses. 2.5 (first generation) and 2.4 (second generation). I consider those the best value for money if you want a Leitz lens.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes! I think the best value is the old 90 f4 Elmar but after that the Summarits are next for sure

[@Bigfarmer8]

I love the ant coming in at 6:26, but that is the way I view the world. It would be nice to see a comparison between such a 90mm lens and my 75mm f1.8 MFT lens, which has it's flaws but also crazy sharpness and lovely bokeh. I really liked the photos of the cars!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks and yes I liked the ant too! Look out tor his foreign friend in a video to come! :) I think you’ll struggle to find reviews on MFT vs FF lenses. Maybe MFT channel

[@ductritran8637]

I love this lens , keep it for over 10 years from my M240 to my current M10 . Other lens equally good is the Canon 85mm 1.2 MKii ( slow auto focus / hunting for focus ) which I used on the SL / Panasonic S1R with sigma adapter .

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks yes a great performer for sure. If I ever win the lottery i'd get one for a smaller 90mm f2.. but for now the Pre-ASPH does nearly the same job.

[@sunny16portraits]

I used to approach people when I was starting taking photos. Then I got way to self concious about having to improve my pics, even though there were quite some decent ones. Who knows maybe one day i will gain back this confidence haha. Nice lens, but good to hear it's similar to the classic 90mm cron. I will just keep this one for 1/3rd the price!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Naa just ask. It’s only us that judge our photos! Yes your lens is fine!

[@KNURKonesur]

Think there was a 90/2 from Leica before APO that was possible to adapt to medium format cameras and it was a gorgeous and affordable shallow DoF monster!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes the one shown in the video looks like the APO but is the previous version. I think the 90/4 LTM covered MF. Not sure about others

[@moritzberger4898]

Missing Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 in the comparison? Beats all others for portraits, including the APO-Summicron-SL, in my experience.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks yes it is lovely (see my video on it). I didn't mention every 90mm lens here as there are many (even just from Leica).

[@sebastiang7183]

Matt the 90 APO is better but marginally so to the point it won’t make a major difference practically. You shoot portraits. You don’t need the ASPH lenses. Those were made to address corner performance. Many of the pre-ASPH had very strong centers which is all you need for portraits.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, I liked the size of the APO but agree the Pre does all I need for portraits and my Voigtlander APO is my small setup + for film

[@67tagada]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom But in fact, it may be a little better for a small APO. It is sharp, but this Skopar has a form of "softness" on a certain number of openings!. what an APO LANTHAR 50MM doesn't have!

[@Zetaphotography]

I’ve had no issues focusing with 90 APO Voighlander and M246.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I love my Voigtlander APO

[@thierry1491]

I wonder if the LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-SL 90MM F/2 ASPH on SL is as good as this one?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes it's very good if you need AF. See that video.

[@webersteve1547]

I found this lens extremely hard to focus on the M bodies. It might be better on the SL but today I prefer to use AF

[@paulsehstedt6275]

Buy a 1.4 x magnifier for you M and focus problems are solved. You can even get a yellow coated magnifier to enhance the contrast in the range finder patches.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Before I got the SL I was starting to miss shots with my Pre-ASPH on the M240 but I think it was the M240 not the lens

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes my M cameras always have a 1.4x mag attached!

[@Zetaphotography]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaComwhy the problem with the M240?

[@paulsehstedt6275]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Maybe the vertical alignment of the range finder patch wasn't adjusted correctly. My M240 had this misalignment, and it took me some time to figure out, what the problem was.

[@Zetaphotography]

I’d love to see full review of the Voighlander 90mm F2.8 APO

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

You can, just watch it. There is a full video shot in the snow in Gdansk and a follow up showing both mount versions.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

..if you ever can't find videos sign up to the blog and find them that way (listed by focal length) - MrLeica.com

[@Meauxgreen]

I have the ancient Leica 90mm f/4 from the 70’s. It’s on a decent Sony with an adapter & it beats the hell of the Sony 85mm.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great lens! I have reviewed the 9cm f4 Elmar a few times here too and you see it in a recent video also

[@webersteve1547]

Hello Matt, I'm a avid follow er of your channel and as I'm doing mostly the same photography as you do, I would be interested to know which is the most used focal length you use, and which camera do you use most. Maybe an idea for a new video ?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks. 50mm & 98% SL ..use other cameras for travel/ non-portraits

[@webersteve1547]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom interesting, thank you

[@webersteve1547]

Btw did you know that there is an Elpro (Elpro 3 16543) for 55 mm filterthread? This allows a Minimum focus distance of around half a meter. Unfortunately the focus latitude is very small so you are stuck there

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, I know people use it with the Macro-Elmar.. on the SL you can use a close focus adapter but less easy with M cameras.

[@garymc8956]

Still enjoying my Summarit M 2.4. With 46mm filter it’s compact and sharp enough for me. Too bad they don’t make the Summarit line anymore.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Nice! Yes they were a great performing ‘value’ line. I had the 50mm

[@carlseibert9015]

How does the Voigtlander 90mm 2.8 compare with the Summicron(s)? I'm trying to suss out whether the Voigtlander or the Elmarit might be the better way to go as an upgrade for the Tele Elmarit. I have the pre-aspheric Summicron and like you I find it a nice sharp lens that's too big and heavy for my needs. The Tele Elmarit is great on size (exactly like the Voigtlander) but it's pretty low contrast in my view, both micro and macro. Very few people have compared the Voigtlander straight up with the Elamrit, so a comparison with the pre-aspheric Summicron (or the aspheric one, for that matter) would give me a point of refernece.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

The CV 90 APO is stunning. I’d recommend it without hesitation. I have M and F mount versions it’s that good. Sharp contrast, light, compact… just 2.8

[@carlseibert9015]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks! I will, as thy say, give your counsel great weight. [shuffles off to buy lens...]

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@carlseibert9015 enjoy!

[@fabriceleblus]

Always top video!!? Never miss one..

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thank you!

[@KeedonMD]

you prefer this or the 75 APO?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes, both are f2 so the 90 gives a more shallow DOF (75mm will focus closer*)

[@heinzhagenbucher4714]

Landies are fine models too. 😁😉

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes! I only photo pretty things given a choice! :)

[@heinzhagenbucher4714]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom 😁 That's true. And I look forward to see you shooting humans again. If I would have the money, I would love a Leica Monochrome with a 50, 75, or 90mm lens. That's why my human images are taken with a Nikon instead. 😁 Enjoy your channel, and looking forward to see more in unbunt. Kind regards Heinz

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

"Presets" mean nothing to me because film is my medium. My Summicron 9cm is an early chrome version, made in Canada. I need no other. 👌

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes film is still king, 100%

[@cameraprepper7938]

"half a stop sharper" 😂 never heard before 😊

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha, I shoot the Pre-ASPH at f2.5 for sharp images vs the APO at f2 so that was my thinking :)

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I guessed it, but it was fun to hear

[@davegball]

Getting closer to 30k.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks but not that close! Maybe by Christmas. .fingers crossed!

[@webersteve1547]

Btw this orange Land is cool, I want it :-)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes I thought so too!

[@AGL93311]

Points out what a poor buy that APO is. The pre aspheric holds up really well for a 1958 lens. But the elephant in the room is the ten year older Nikkor PC 85 f2 which arguably outperforms the Summicron, is smaller, lighter, less expensive and widely available. Yes it is an 85, not a 90 which works to your advantage on an M due to variable accuracy of the 90 frameline with focus distance. As a Nikkorite you ought to give it a spin….

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, I tried the 85/2 once but I had to return it as defective. It looked promising !

[@AGL93311]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom You should try it again. Much better (smaller, lighter, sharper ) than either the Canon 85/2 or 85/1.9.

[@hansalbers9894]

😊

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@jls2975]

Why didn't you tell me the Lux 80 R ?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I haven’t got that one

[@jls2975]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom same optics as the legendary Lux M 75mm

[@XboxTheBeatboxer]

Carry a small book of prints and a little about what you do for situations like this (trying to get last minute models at the cafe). Then you can go up to people and have instant credibility in 10 seconds.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, yes great idea. I need to get more prepared for this, thank you!

[@XboxTheBeatboxer]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom no worries!

[@David.G.P.]

👏

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@chrisloomis1489]

This is the lens .... I bought for my 61 birthday ..gift to self , new and I love it. I use on MA and M3 , and my SONY ... yes the " toaster " as it isa referred to ...here ..my Toaster.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Nice! Yes I much prefer M lenses over SL as I can use them for film too

[@daviddb4858]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes, I agree. I like to use manual focus and I also like to zone-focus. For this nothing beats the M lenses on an SL body. That's more important to me than the higher optical performance of the SL lenses. M lenses don't have the servos and electronics that the SL lenses have and they aren't as heavy. Also, he more complex, the more things that can potentially go wrong.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@daviddb4858 yes 100%

[@noenken]

8:39 Man, that aperture shape from 2.8 on .... not great.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Not as bad as Summilux lenses but yes there are better options for bokeh stopped down 👍🏻

[@estlerd]

I wonder why all these Land Rovers are junked.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

It seemed to be a LR specialist body shop/ repair place I think but yes some look like there had been there a while!

[@magiccarpetrider4594]

I had one in the 90s. They suck. Mine, and many others, was in the shop more than the road.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@magiccarpetrider4594 sorry to hear

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Very very good video, test and explanation Matt. Allow me to make some points. Check the audio when you are shooting yourself cause it sounds like you were in a barrel, that's the only thing that separates it from being superb (pace is good too) Now you do't strike me as a person that's shy and need to push himself to ask those girls. I always say, you already got NO let's try to get a YES, nothing is lost. IMO all those M Crons are quite good performers even compared to the Luxes (it's always the question, is it worth to spend the extra money). And the Voigtlanders are great bang for your buck . (I told Peter in the past to check them out and pointed him to your channel, also found it strange that Peter don't really like them, but then he is just a "beginner" hehehe.) Now comparing these to the SL 90's fits in the review but was no match. Like the designers from Leica said, the SL lenses are the best lenses they ever made and make (check out Leica Tech Talk: For the Love of Lenses Leica America) Carry on man, and thanks for sharing.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! Yes agree audio was bad, I need to get some audio "baffles" stuff for the new place as the room is a small box. Thanks for the other comments and yes I just included the SL 90 for completeness.