Now that I am the proud owner of a new M6-TTL; 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH; 50mm f/1.4 Summilux; what suggestions have you for my next lens? I like travel and street photography. I own a 90mm f/2 Summicron that is about 30 years old. Is the newer 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron ASPH significantly better that my old 90? I am thinking of trading it in on the newer version. My old one is NM-Mint with the original box. Anyone interested? I always appreciate the responses I get from everyone. You are kind and patient with a beginner. Thanks.

-- Max Wall (mtwall@earthlink.net), June 27, 2001

Answers

Max:

I have the newer 90 SAA, and it is a super lens to be sure. But, since you already have the older version, why not just shoot with it a bit and see if you like the results? You can always upgrade it later if it doesn't cut it for you. You could then perhaps spend the $avings on a 21, 24 or 28 if you want to try something wider. Just a thought.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), June 27, 2001.

Yes, the new 90 APO is significantly better than the non-APO 90/2 from f/2 to f/2.8, then the significance begins to taper off as you stop down. The 90 APO is only incrementally better than the current 90/2.8 (read:you won't see it unless you've bought one and have to justify it to yourself)so if you think really hard and discover you almost never shoot the 90/2 wide open, you can save yourself weight and money as the 90/2.8 is rather plentiful on the second0hand market at less than half the price of a new 90 APO.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 27, 2001.

Also possibilities: 21/2.8 or the new 28/2 or the older 28/2.8. But if you're anything like me, I'll bet you've got your mind made up on that new 90/2 ! :-)

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@mail.com), June 27, 2001.

If you like travel and street photography, I'd cast a vote for a smaller 90 - although the fast ones do make for beautiful soft backgrounds.

I have the 80's version 'small' Summicron and still find it something of a brick to carry, and the new SAA is a tad heavier (I can hear the owners of 75 1.4's rolling around laughing because I'm complaining about the weight of the 90!!)

The 90 2.8 can be tossed in a pants pocket and carried along while you shoot with the 35 or 50 (especially the older Tele-Elmarit - about which read previous warning strings - but also the current lens). To do this with the f/2 you need steel-lined trousers.

I just shot some lovely evening color shots at a outdoor cocktail party - M4-2 and 35 'cron; and a 90TE, incident-meter, and film in my pockets - what RF photography is all about.

Also, I have occasional trouble nailing focus accurately enough for f/ 2 - at least partly my eyes, but it does require a lot more care/ effort. If you have a .85 viewfinder that will help, too.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), June 27, 2001.

Tony has a good point. You already have a good 90. Have you thought about extending your range of photographic vision in the wideangle direction? 21, 24, and 28 are all useful focal lengths. On an SLR, I use 24mm a lot for travel. On the M6, I tend to like the 28, using it a bit more than the 21, since it works with the camera's finder and meter.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), June 27, 2001.

I too have a 35 year old 90 Summicron, chrome. The lens is very sharp, but heavy. I have been thinking about the 90 ASPH, but it only saves about 125 grams. When I don't need the speed I enjoy using a 3 element 90 Elmar. It weighs about the same as the current 50 Summicron, black. You might consider the older 90 Elmarit's for the weight and size. The 90 Elmar fits in your pocket or a small bag, but the Elmarit gains one stop. I have heard negative comments on the 90 Tele Elmarit. Enjoy what you have, the old 90's are great lenses.

Mark J

-- Mark A. Johnson (logic@gci.net), June 27, 2001.

If you really want portability in a 90 & don't need speed (for lowlight &/or portraits), I've found the classic collapsible f/4 9cm Elmar to be good for daylight travel & street photography.

-- Christopher Chen (furcafe@cris.com), June 28, 2001.

Max - Since I'm a new user it's going to take me a while to learn to get the most out of my 35 cron & 50 lux but might would have a hard time passing up a real deal on your old 90 should you decide to go APO. Let us know how much you will take for it.

-- JLee (jlee@sccoast.net), July 02, 2001.

I use a 1961 90 Elmarit, and it is a fine lens. I have recently purchased the new 90 SAA, which I like very much; but I will retain my "old friend". The new technology is noticeably superior at the wider apertures. F2 is great. But I still use the 90 Elmarit quite a bit. If you need the extra stop and have the $ to put into it, buy the new 90. If not, the new Elmarit, or even the older Elmarit would be good choices. But since you already have a 90, unless you just have a Jones for the SAA, my recommendation would be first to buy another focal length lens. The 21 Asph lens would be my next choice; what a beaut! I love the focal length, and this lens is truly exceptional. When you buy one, you will wonder how you ever did without it. At least I think that.

-- David (pagedt@attglobal.net), July 04, 2001.